Seeing the world as an empty and evil place will get in the way of your finding fulfilling friendships. I hope you are in therapy to have someonen to talk about your perceptions.

It is my current goal and a part of my therapy to make more friends. It is a catch-22, the feeling that there is nothing out there for me and that I don't deserve it anyway...and the awful pain of loneliness. Some days it is just so overwhelming I think the pain will win and I will give up. I am new to my current therapy and committed to staying with it even when I feel like quitting, and to being honest about all those embarrassing thoughts and feelings I have.

Finding joy and hopefulness requires looking within, something a psychologist can help you do in a kind and interesting way.

What you feel is just for now and will pass; it will get better if you work on it. Easier said than done, it can seem, but the payoff of recapturing your joyfulness, hopefulness, and playfulness is worth it. You are worth it!

ECHOES