Hi Mimicus,
As a fellow introvert and a sufferer of social anxiety, I can completely empathise with you! I identify your issue as extremely important for your own happiness, identity and complete being, therefore definitely not “petty”.
I congratulate you for identifying yourself as an introvert, but have you accepted yourself as one? There is absolutely nothing wrong with being introverted (and it doesn’t make you the worst person on the planet!), it just generally means you prefer to have meaningful and deeper conversations rather than the trivial rubbish that extroverts are happy gassing about.
Introverts are typically not shy people, instead they are intimidated by too much stimulation which may be as little as talking to a group of 3 people let alone going to a party where there’s 200+ people.
My suggestion to you would be to start talking to just one other person about the things that interest you. If the person isn’t interested ah well, their loss. Try again. You will find someone with some common ground and the ball will start rolling from there.
How do I find someone to talk to? I hear you ask, well there are two wonderful things about the age we live in now that will help you on your way;

1. You can do research online in the comfort of your home about forthcoming events and start putting together an events diary that suits/interests you of things you plan to attend.
We have social groups here called Meetups where you can add your interests/hobbies to a profile and find like minded people to meet up with. Also citysocializing pop up in cities and towns everywhere. People create events online to go and see a film, catch up for dinner, go shopping etc. Both Meetup and citysocializing are online. If neither of these are near where you are, why not set one up?

2. There’s a lot less stigma attached to going out on your own (I frequently go to the cinema on my own and love it!) and other people are more likely to approach/talk to you if you’re on your own then if you’re with someone else.

You might also find the following book useful;

Introvert Advantage – Marti Olsen Laney

Best Wishes

Karen x