Unfortunately alcohol. But like any potentially dangerous drug, it can be helpful in moderation. You can’t be susceptible to addictive substances and have to have to plan to ween yourself off it. I studied and carefully considered these things, and started going to bar trivia nights and other meetups with social drinking and got pretty tipsy. After a drink or two the inhibitions came off, shyness faded and I became more sociable. Taught me there’s a social person inside of me. After enough time some of you drunk time friends can become real, sober time friends. Eventually you get to a point where you can do all the social things sober because you did them drunk and experienced first hand there wasn’t anything to be afraid of.

I’m aware this can be risky advice, but it worked for me as a painfully shy person. I used it as a tool with a plan to discard, not as a pleasurable hobby. Nowadays I rarely order a drink.