I find it hard to make friends too. I'm 46 now and haven't had many real friends for a very long time. The only few friends I have now are distant ones, and only 1 of those is someone I really think of as a proper friend as she's the only one who'll even speak to me on the phone, or who will write without me having to first. She's very distant though and I've met her twice in about 4 years. So I never see anyone and despite trying so hard I never get anywhere meeting new people. It drives me nuts when I tell people this stuff and they tell me to go to pubs, clubs, get a dog, etc, etc, etc.. These things aren't easy for someone with social anxiety, but only others with the same anxiety and confidence problems understand that.

What I'm trying to say is that I understand how you feel and know what it's like. I'd give anything to have a local friend, or even a relationship, so I could meet someone real and actually sit down and chat. That simple everyday stuff that's normal to most people is impossible for me.