Am I socially awkward, an introvert, just boring, or something else?

There’s likely nothing wrong with you. Wouldn’t hurt to have a medical check.

You sound a lot like me only but I’m still very much an introvert (at age 69). I have what has been told that I have a nervous personality and by my doctor, “an anxiety problem”. It’s hardest for me to meet new people. I’m at my best when I finally get to know someone well. Yet people tell me that I do very well talking to large groups of people (giving classes).

Hang in there. Keep communicating the best that you can and going to parties and be as socially active as you can tolerate.

Good health!

Like the old adage goes:
You can please some of the people all of the time, all of the people some of the time, but you can’t please all of the people all of the time.

Learn to love yourself, but don’t be an egomaniac. Be polite. Say “Please” and “Thank you.”

NEVER assume ANYTHING!

You sounds like me, too. Public speaking I’m fine with, actually very good at but I still get butterflies in my stomach. Karaoke I choke on my own saliva and get very anxious.

At parties, if I’m with my people I’m fine. If I’m alone or it’s a professional engagement, I find I have to push myself to be extroverted and reach out to network. I tend to think of it as a button I can turn on and off, as needed. I tell myself ‘time to shine’! haha!

I actually love meeting new people and make friends everywhere I go, in the DMV line or anywhere. But when those people try to get closer to me, I tend to shut them down.

*PS I was such a shy child that it was an issue for my family and education, so my family sent me to poise classes and got me involved in other things (Girl Scouts, pageants, etc..) to boost my confidence and that helped a lot. So you could do something like that, depending on your age, to help overcome your fears or anxiety.

There’s a common misconception that if you’re shy then you’re an introvert.

But it actually has more to do with whether you feel energized after hanging out with other people. Or if you feel energized after some alone time.

I think you are a bit too hard on yourself and worry too much about what others might think of you.
Once you realize that people are mostly concerned with themselves and their own lives,it will be easier for you to not care what anyone thinks, especially the things that are not really important in the grand scheme of things:)
There will always be someone who will take issue with the smallest of things and use any opportunity to snark, bitch, complain or whatever.
Don’t consider much of anything they say as important because it isn’t.:)

You are who you are. In social settings you feel awkward. Is that because you feel you are going to do something foolish and people might think you are odd? Find yourself afraid to initiate conversations with new people? There are some things you should know. First…you are not alone. Not by a long shot. Everyone makes a fool of themselves at some point. Whether you are outgoing or a wallflower, you will likely have someone think that you are a fool. Accept that and you are halfway home. As @raum said, introvert/extrovert is about what recharges your batteries. Some people seek crowds and action when they want to “wind down”. Others look for a good book in a quiet corner. It’s the place you are comfortable and where you can let yourself relax and recharge. Whether you are one or the other is insignificant…it is who you are. It is likely to be who you are for the rest of your life. If you have things in your life that you don’t like, you always have the power to change them. For example…you meet someone and hit it off pretty well, but then start missing ways to initiate conversation. Your mind is still working, just share some of your thoughts. They don’t have to always be scripted or “on topic”. But it does require opening up a little and giving others a chance to peek at how your mind thinks. And recognize that, again, some people will like this and others won’t. You can’t control them…you can only control yourself.

I think you simply haven’t yet found a group of people where you fit in.
Some people are happy at bars, because all the people around them also drink.
Politics, sports, intellectual pursuits, like minded people cluster together.
When you find a person or group that focuses on interests you have in common, you will feel more comfortable about speaking, and being involved.