Why is socialising so hard ?

Just wanted a bit of a rant. My special interest is theme parks and roller coasters. I went to a theme park today as it’s the last day of operation for the 2024 season. I was really looking forward to it and was proud of myself for doing something different this time. Usually I would go to these trips on my own or with my partner. This time I planned to meet up with a new friend who I recently went on an international theme park trip with. I knew this friend was going with his group of friends who I didn’t know and I thought it would be a great way to meet new people with similar interests. I was feeling proud I had pushed myself out of my comfort zone as meeting new people is scary for me even though I would like more friends. I have an amazing but small group of friends at the moment but it’s getting harder to make plans due to everyone being busy so I have been feeling a bit lonely and wanted to meet new people. However, what I thought was going to be a super positive experience was pretty bad and I think I’m the only person to blame. I felt so awkward and out of place. I tried to join in on conversations but struggled with when to speak and what to respond with and was talked over a bit due to this. I’m just feeling a bit disheartened and needed a rant as social stuff outside of my intimate group always seems to go this way and it makes me feel like there is something fundamentally wrong and off putting about me.