Hey, Jarred
Welcome to SR -- glad that you found us and that you are ready to make this change.
Be patient and persistent -- it can be like turning a battleship at first.
Originally Posted by
JarredMud 
I'm not a people person. I'm a bit of a recluse, that's why I don't like meetings.
I'm like that, too, and so are a lot of people [maybe most?] who go to meetings. I would recommend giving a few different meetings a try, even if just to make connections for the kind of one-on-one or small-group meetups you mentioned (e.g., to meet at a coffee shop afterward).
Wishing you the best!