exactly! i feel like i don't know how to make friends for that very reason. when i try to get close to someone i reach a point where i'm afraid i've gotten too close, said too much, hung around too much, etc, & i pull back. that makes me feel awkward & i don't know how/when to act, so i often just let these fledglings relationships go. or on the flip side with people who are more aggressive in the area of becoming friends, i get overwhelmed by them & shut down.

i'm fond of saying that one of my BFFs from college "made" me be friends with her, lol, because she was more aggressive about being friends & wouldn't let me just be a weirdo & slip away. though this was college & we had scholar's bowl together, so not only did we have almost daily practices together, but we had over night trips for competitions too - & we were the only girls on the team so we always shared a room. also, it was before we had cell phones & home computers with IM & Fb. i my email & Fb, but feel about the same way about IM as i do about the phone. but at least with IMs i can take my time about responding.

sorry if i ramble.