Choose formats where you can stand beside people instead of in front of them.
Walking, attractions and activity-led days give you permission to look around, move and let conversations pause. That can feel very different from an event where everybody is sitting in a circle waiting to speak.
The activity gives you natural reasons to talk without needing to invent a topic from nothing.
Familiarity before arrival can make a big difference.
Seeing names, profile photos and community conversations beforehand can take away some of the feeling that you are entering a room of complete strangers.
You still get to decide how much you interact online first. The point is having the option.
You are allowed to be quiet while you settle in.
You do not owe the group a confident version of yourself. Listen, walk, answer when somebody talks to you and let the day build slowly.
A good community gives people enough time to become familiar rather than rewarding whoever speaks the loudest first.