This is a great thread, thanks for bumping it!

I think Perna has a good suggestion, talking to at least one person a day. When I've forced myself to be friendly and interact with someone, it does often make my day, though I think it depends on how I feel.

Sometimes, though, I get too far disconnected, and I can't get into friendly mode, so people respond in kind. Not meeting my eyes, mechanical greetings, in the case of being in the store, moving on to the next customer (sometimes with more enthusiasm, so that makes me feel bad. though I notice the other customer is "warmer", and that might make them feel better after my awkward/cold interaction). That makes the feeling of isolation and emptiness grow.

I have roommates, but lately I have just shut myself in my room and not spoken to them. Usually when I force myself past this, I'm ok. But one of my roommates the other day commented that I was being "mean". I hadn't intended to. I was just feeling a lot of pain, emptiness and bitterness and it was leaking out, though I tried not to let it. I apologized and let him know that I hadn't intended it, and sometimes things leak out in my tone when I attempt to be friendly or my "normal" self and don't feel like it inside.