I(23/m) am an adult who was never taught any social skills in my life, since childhood. I am not able to hold a conversation with anyone.
My brain freezes up, freaks out and my mind goes blank, if I am expected to speak in a social situation. Even if I try walk up to a stranger and start a conversation, this happens.
I think of how they will hate what I say, and I instead say nothing and spectate, in most situations.
What are small, low risk steps I can take to build social skills? I feel I have wasted my 23 years of life being scared and I need to snap out of it.