Yea I totally relate here.. I'm a pretty outgoing person, but normally, just hearing the word "networking" makes me cringe. I'm just not very into small talk, but as you say, changing your mindset about stuff like this really helps.
Just because I'm not into "networking" or what I think "networking" entails, it doesn't mean that I can't connect with someone at a "networking" event.
I've been to quite a few Steemit meet ups since being more active on the platform, and although I never feel like they are "networking" events, because I've always preferred to see them as an opportunity to connect with other Steemians and make more friends, they are still, in a way, a networking event. And lots of fun too :)