How to keep your introvert but still reach out {part two}

As an introvert staying home is our default mode. We feel safe. Comfortable. We are home. We are surrounded by people we know on a daily basis.
After my first was born I found myself slip into this mode very quickly. I would stay home. Not go venture out, without my husband. But you know what? It was lonely, depressing and anxiety sets in.
I did not make that mistake after my second was born. I was out visiting people when my second was 10 days old. I was at playdates, Chickfila, etc.

Find your passion. Are you passionate about making crafty things? Cooking? Sending cards to people? Find a passion and push yourself in that passion.

Have goals. Set a goal each week for yourself. This week I will message, text or call this friend and invite her over, talk to her, bring her a meal, etc.

Prepare before you go to social outings. I never was good (and am still learning!) at small talk when you first meet someone. I would tell my husband so many times, "please don't leave me when we go here!" Finally I realized if I had a few questions and a few topics scheduled ahead of time I would be ok. I would think in my head on the way to a social outing (and still do) about how the conversation would go and set myself up to talk to people. Just doing this helped my stress in social outings sooo much!

How do you handle social outings? 

This is the 5th post in a series-Calling all Introverts