I think when meeting new people we make our stutter a big deal in our head, when realistically, yes they notice it obviously but that does not mean you arent fun/interesting to be around and cant form a connection. If they do care, then they just arent a good enough person for you to be friends with. I have tried to change my mindset recently because i had the thought “ugh what if i stutter” and then i thought and so what? Whats going to happen? Nothing. I will eventually get the word out and move on. We just take longer to get our words out, thats literally it. Not our fault. Its helping me to downplay the fear of stuttering. Hope this helps! My grandmother, father and uncle all have had a lifelong stutter and all of them have made good friends. My mum even says people are nicer to my dad when they hear him stutter. It makes us more approachable and human! So there are benefits too!