AIBU to meet strangers/potential new friends for lunch?

[NotMeItsYou]

I want to expand my social circle and joined a (women only) app for meeting new people in my area. It's a bit like Tinder how you swipe and chat, and you can also arrange get togethers. I joined a week ago and a woman has arranged a casual lunch at a local cafe for the weekend, and two others have said they're going. I want to push myself out of my comfort zone and go along and meet new people, but the introvert part of me wants to stay indoors and be content with the tiny friendship group I already have . I think WFH for a year means I've lost all face to face social skills and I feel boring, plus now seem to overthink any social situation to within an inch of its life

Any tips/advice? Should I go or not go? HELP!
YABU - Don't go - this sounds terribly cringe
YANBU - Get your ass out there

I’ve done this with a mum app and met a really good friend so I say go for it!

All my friends are from social groups where people joined to make friends.
It's good because everyone is looking for friends or at least socialising opportunities.
Why did the 2% vote no?

Go and leave early if you hate it! You are on the app for a reason. Push yourself and you may enjoy it!

Go. You never know where it may lead you.

My idea of hell but if you were my mate I'd be telling you to bloody go for it, what is there to lose. Have an escape plan ready if needed!!

Oh yes, go. Imagine if you bail and the other person is left sitting there like a lemon. I’d die of embarrassment if someone stood me up and would be convinced every customer in the coffee shop was sniggering at me.

Do it. Worst case it’s a miserable hour and you did it and never see them again. Even worst case you will still be proud of yourself for going!

Go! I mean, it does sound absolutely terrifying but that's what you went on that app for so...

I did OLD for a year or so and the absolute worst bit of (most) dates was walking in and introducing yourself. I always found once I was sat down with someone with a drink in my hand, it was fine, I just got on with it. I'm sure once you get over that first hurdle, you'll be find. Worst case scenario, you won't get on with any of them. Even if one/all of them turns out to be a complete weirdo, at least you have a story to tell.

Thought I would come back and give an update! I met up with the three ladies for lunch and it was really lovely. I was really nervous beforehand, but once we’d actually said hello we chatted really well and had a good laugh too. We are planning to meet up again for dinner/drinks

So so glad I went.

That's a great update. Sometimes we need to force ourselves out of our comfort zone and do something different.

Lovely news

I'd have only done so if it was outside, but glad to read that you went.

Lovely update. Thanks for sharing, glad it went well.

This is how my craft group started. Someone posted that they wanted to learn said craft on a local group. Several people responded. We all met up and 18 months later we are good friends.

We had about 4 months pre-pandemic and then met up a bit last summer but WhatsApp was the godsend and honestly it’s one of the best things I ever did.

Yay! Absolutely worth a bit of pushing outside the comfort zone.