how do i get back to having a normal social life after years of not having one

I know it sound cliche but, be urself. For me to have a semi-normal social life i had to spend a lot of time alone, just getting to know myself. I spend a lot of time writing in a journal just telling it about my day and reflecting on what I could have done better. And once I found out who i was i started showing who I was, being more confident, being more social, and cracking jokes with people i didn't even know. But not everyone is going to appreciate you for who you are, and you have to accept that those people aren't worth ur time and energy. I couldn't make people like me and it killed my spirit, but now I don't really pay it any mind. I rock with the people that rock with me. but that was just my experience. (had to sprinkle that in incase the adivce ruins ur life). 

for this to only have 1 reply and not alot of attention. i feel like this is an important thing that needs to be talked about and deserves more attention. I have been a social butterfly my entire life. and in march of my 7th grade year of middle school,  ended up in self contain classes because i was very talk back with teachers. i became really depressed and literally slept through my entire 8th grade year, only doing state testing to graduate. im now in homeschool for freshman year and its so...weird. going from being outside everyday to now. and dont get me wrong ive been alone before, i didnt have friends as a kid because instead i ripped up paper into tiny pieces and ate everything in sight while stimming. point is im aswell on the spectrum. so i understand. but my point is i understand your struggle. entirely. and what helped me develop a more social enviornment and a different version of myself, i started posting and being active on social media more. i face timed friends to make conversation. look up deep questions on pinterest if you wanna make things interesting. all in all just remember you cant love or care for anyone else until you love and care for yourself. put yourself first and do whats best for you. not someone else. be who you wanna be and be proud about it. if you set yourself in this mindset that you have no friends and no social life, you're not gonna make any change to the habits causing that because you're mindset will make you feel its pointless. if you have the mindset of people like me, and i have alota friends. then you'll take the steps to actually match that. say those good things to yourself every morning and then take the steps to make. that. shit. happen.

Hii so I sort of just started randomly complimenting/helping/or striking (SHORT) conversation with random people. Also, join some clubs or sports or other extracurriculars! Marching band and tennis created so many friendships for me! And I'm not athletic or anything by all means so don't let that stop you from trying something new! The basic trick is just to PUT YOURSELF OUT THERE and be friendly! So many people told me "I thought you were mean and weird until I started talking to you" so show them that whatever weird opinion they have already created is wrong!