"Leap... and the net will appear" Shakti Gawain

Have you heard of CBT (Cognative Behaviour Therapy)? Perhaps you have done it already.

I am scheduled later this fall to participate but have already taken a look at it on my own. Based on what I have done thus far I would highly recommend it. Thus far I have begun to track my moods and negative thoughts throughout the day. It has been an eyeopener just how negatively I think about myself and how these automatic thoughts affect my life - including the ability to make and retain relationships. IM me if you need more information on this.

Trust is obviously a big issue. But getting yourself out there is the tuffy. We've first got to get you to make aquaintances. You can have those and it can be rewarding to be around people. The next part - making that leap of trust - is turning some of those aquaintances into real friendships.

With your shyness and trust issues I don't suggest you try to immediately make aquantanceships into friendships. Let that fall into place later.

So, where to meet people? I've kicked the idea a bit around the site lately the idea of seeking out contacts at things like support groups, classes (ie. pottery, art, poetry), book clubs, etc. The thing about these is you need not participate until you feel you're in your comfort zone. One gal at my support group attended a whole year before she chose to speak she was so uncomfortabley shy. Still she returned again and again because even being around people for a few hours a week was helpful. She is now comfortable enough to take her turn moderating the occasional meeting.

I hope some of what I say is even a tiny bit helpful.