In most social settings, there’s typically no necessity for you to take the lead. You can simply observe, remain quiet, blend into the background, and respond with laughter to others’ jokes, rather than actively engaging in the social occasion. Given that people often desire attention from others, this approach to socializing can be a viable, albeit not very productive, option.
The way to conquer social anxiety involves engaging in situations where you step outside your comfort zone and and do things that you are not used to.
For instance, when working as a photographer, whether it’s at a family gathering or when capturing images for someone’s Instagram or their ‘looking for a gf/bf app’ profile, you’re compelled to converse, make jokes, provide guidance, and show assertiveness in that specific context.
This gives you the opportunity to participate actively in the conversation. People not only expect but also need your assertiveness.
One added benefit is that you dont need to worry about what to do with your hands and also you’ll never run out of things to say because you have the shoot to talk about.
p.s. my dm’s are open for any awkward photographers out there