Please consider that people who are not interested in what you have to say are not really friends.

I encourage you to say affirmations each day tailored to your specific situation.

"I am a capable extern."
"I can improve my ability to ..."
"I am interesting"
"I can have friends who value what I say"

or whatever actually applies. Make them positive statements. Say them first thing in the morning and whenever you have a few moments.

I don't think it is wrong to "take things personally" -- something said directly to us is MEANT to be taken personally. However that doesn't mean we have to agree with what the person says; and in fact we may know that what the person said is untrue. Use your inner knowledge to act accordingly.

Someone who says mean things to us (or who lets us know they don't care to listen to us) is the person to avoid in favor of nicer, kinder, more interested in us people. I hope this helps.