Assalamu alaikum - New to Islam and looking for guidance
Assalamu alaikum everyone, I’ve been on my own journey toward Allah through Islam for a while now and wanted to share. I wasn’t raised Muslim and haven’t had much guidance. I read the Qur’an and I pray the way I’ve always done since childhood. Islam’s teachings have felt more true to me than other paths, but because I’m mostly self-taught I can’t shake this impostor feeling. It’s hard to explain, but when I meet more practiced Muslims I worry I’ve been doing things wrong. I want to learn more and become part of a community so I can keep growing my relationship with Allah, yet walking into the local masjid feels very intimidating. Praying in public at the masjid makes me anxious because I’m not confident I’m doing things correctly, and that has kept me away. Maybe it seems small to some, but I’ve had anxiety since I was young and it makes this feel like everyone’s watching me mess up something so important, especially in a masjid. On top of that, language barriers and some questions I still have about parts of the Qur’an have made my progress stall. I feel like I need more guidance on this path. Sorry if this is a bit scattered - I just needed to vent and ask for advice on how to learn more and feel comfortable joining a masjid. Any tips on classes, friendly people to reach out to, or gentle ways to start praying in congregation would mean a lot. JazakAllahu khair for any help.