How do I be more confident when approaching people?

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Hi, I am a 20 year old girl who isn't in school (money issues) who wants to make friends. It's just hard to make friends because of the area I am in and because I lack confidence. I mess up when I speak, and overall I am awkward. How do I be less shy when talking to people and making friends? The area I live in is right next to the metro/train station on an intersection. So, not a lot to do or many people to meet except crackheads . I also didn't go to school because I have really bad anxiety around people sometimes and could use more hobbies. I'm also afraid of sounding stupid or saying something ridiculous

One way to feel more confident is to look for ways to help people. When you are the one giving assistance it naturally makes you feel more confident because you are the one helping them. I guess it depends on where you are but you could look out for people who seem shy with no one to talk to, or people who are confused about where to go/ what to do.

Can you prepare by having some standard ice breakers or standard phrases that you know are going to be reliable and pleasant? Generally when trying to make conversation you don't have to be original or brilliant, you just have to be pleasant. It's okay to say things that are fairly ordinary, and it might boost your confidence to have go-to things that you are ready to say and to have planned some responses for the things that other people may say, which are also usually fairly predictable.