Poor conversational skills, and struggle to click with people

[Colourfulowls]

I've met up with a friend who I hadn't seen for 2 years. We went for a walk and after 45 minutes I was ready to go. Nothing at all against them, I just couldn't think of any more conversation after the initial catch up, where do you live now, how's work, lockdown, plans for this year, plans for this weekend, are you seeing anyone etc.
I just felt tired and had nothing else to say.
Surely this can't be good, the other person was chatty and it wasn't their fault, I'm just like this most of the time, I am very introverted but I don't want it to limit me socially.
Work can be hard sometimes as I can alone with another person for 8 hours and I really have to rack my brain for conversation, so I just try to keep busy as possible and work in another room.
I open up to very few people apart from my boyfriend and family, it's just small talk with everyone else. I don't know how to connect with people unless we have something to bond over, or a shared negative experience.
Anyone else feel this way? Thanks

I get what you mean about needing some sort of bonding experience. When I think about my friends they are all people I've had some sort of bonding experience with. Otherwise it's like trying to make something out of nothing.

I would cut yourself some slack given that lockdown has made things very dull which won't help with conversation. With conversation it's more important to have good listening skills, ask appropriate questions and the ability to talk back and forth rather than monologue at someone. I think some people are lucky to be born with these skills and others have to learn them.

Thanks for your reply.
Yeah, I thought with this friend it'd be different as we haven't seen each other in so long, so there would be lots to catch up on.
I've had this before where the friend doesn't really contact me again after as they were presumably bored during our meeting.
I honestly don't know how people spend all day talking.

There’s a book called how to make anyone fall in love with you. Duff title but it has some really good advice on how to connect with people in conversation. Most of the things are the things sociable, popular type people do naturally but if you struggle with this it might help you. I use some of the exercises with my life coaching clients who aren’t great conversationalists

I'm exactly the same so working at home alone now is heaven as I don't have to try and make conversation!!