Hi Angel,

I am so glad you posted about this. I am the same way when it comes to friendships. It seems like I am always persuing friends and getting let down. I have always had a lot of attention from males, but it has been so difficult to find female friends that I feel I can trust even just a little. Things have improved for me. I haven't had a chance to bring this up with my therapist yet, although I have mention the pattern of me being the giver to excess in many situations with my relationships. I enjoy reading, so I have read a couple great books on the subject. Friendshifts discusses how friendships end and when and how to do it. Also explains how they evolves and gives a lot of examples from real relationships. I also read How to win friend and influence people by Andrew Carnegie. He list different strategies and how to apply them in all different types of relationships. This was also something that I used with my students when I taught a social skills class.

I feel like I have grown socially because of these books. My depression and social anxiety have also gotten in the way at times. I look at myself as it being a process. I try to do what I can and not take things personally when things don't work out. It is very important to have friends. It is very difficult to find good relationships that are healthy for many people. Hang in there! We're here for ya!

Meachie

Don't wait for your ship to sail in, swim out to it.