I'm not sure how to put this because I'm struggling to understand my shortcomings myself. Suffice it to say that I've sat here and realized that I as an adult female I have not made any close friends. I don't think this is normal or healthy and worst of all I am a mother and wife and worry how this could have an effect on my family.

Making friends seemed easy when I was a kid and now in my mid thirties, married, taking care of teens (no more play groups) I find myself pretty isolated. I also feel I've contributed to this myself.

I've had female acquaintances that expressed an interest in getting together for lunch or shopping and stopping over my house to visit but I've always blown them off. I find that I'm hyper critical of myself. I think to myself that if the person were to really get to know the real me they wouldn't like me and I couldn't deal with the rejection and loss.

On the other side of this I'm also hyper critical of everyone else! I find myself getting annoyed by little things that people do like say a girlfriend that always calls and whines but doesn't do anything to solve her problems.

I'm left feeling guilty and isolated. My life is my husband and teens. That's it. Even high school friends who I feel I can talk openly with on the phone, I hate for them to see me now because I feel like they would judge me and think I got fat and ugly.