Mindinpieces, you also remind me of myself.

I am 44 and still struggling with social and agoraphobia.

I have dreams of being out there and still can barely call people on the phone or get out there and ask about a job, volunteer or paying.

I did not have much encouragement growing up, except very confusing messages from my aunt (primary parental figure) and then since I was five I was in the mental health system, which kept reinforcing that I was "mentally ill" and not too encouraging for me to get out there.

My life is just starting at age 44. I am beginning to question all those messages now and to unravel all the stuff I went thru growing up and as an adult till this point. And I am taking baby steps to integrate myself into the world. I was so isolated growing up, in the system and dealing with my aunt and dealing with Bruce (roommate) who also told me I was just "crazy". I am standing up to him now.

I pray I can get out there too. It is so hard.

I hope you can find a way.

Keep talking.

When there's a will, there's a way.

We can work thru this.

We can.

Billi