I was moved here by family to be close to them on account of my illness. With that I was completely cut off from my social circle. I had no way to meet anyone and was certainly not going to go to a pub by myself.

Instead however I turned to my mental health community.

My support group offers a weekly opportunity to get out and socialize. I often go for coffee after the meeting and have developed a social relationship with a few other participants. I have begun to attend a drop in group; that too offers a social setting. And then I signed up for a pottery class where I've met some good people there too.

So now I DO have aquaintances. The problem is letting go of my fears and trust issues and cultivating some of them into close friendships. But I have a start.