Hello Thimble .

I wonder if there are any mental health groups near where you are that might be the sort of thing you are looking for. Not sure which country you are in but here in UK I used an outfit called Mind (which is a mental health charity that has drop in centres in various towns).

I found it really useful because apart from an initial meeting with someone at the centre itself to talk about why I wanted to come and whether the centre could help me, I was able to come and go as I pleased, didn't have to speak to anyone but was welcome to come in and do different activities, or just sit around with other people, without being expected to interact or particpate or talk to anyone. It was such a relief to feel welcomed and accepted but not be expected to participate or act 'normal', but at the same time to be around people (which I really needed at the time.) It sounds like maybe this is the sort of thing you might be needing, and so it might be worth checking out either the equivalent sort of mental health group or centre, or a community centre where you would be welcome to drop in but not actually have to participate or 'earn' your right to be there.

I wish you luck and hope you can find something that will give you the chance to be around people without having to interact.

Torn xxx