Hey, Neo, I've been focusing on this as well. Being in a University setting, I feel like if I'm not socializing constantly, then I'm missing out on something. People in our age group are supposed to cut loose and "have fun" after all
When I got really down on myself a few weeks ago because I wasn't progressing fast enough (code: my ego can't handle not controlling every damn thing), I looked back and every month in sobriety I've improved socially. Yes, LOL, it's took that much of a long-term perspective to see things. But I'm actually doing okay even when I don't feel like I am.
Opening up to people is tough. Alcohol was my armor and I always knew that whatever happened, I could always find euphoria/solace/relief in a bottle. There goes that. It's a struggle, and it's one that's tough cause I drank to stem the loneliness in the first place. Bleggh. But have faith, man. We're all getting better, one day at a time