There were the years I relied solely on the internet for socialization. It became an addiction. Breaking it was hard to do. I had to do so cold turkey. I just got up one day and closed down every single 'friend' I did not actually know from real life. Hell it was hard. I went into withdrawal.

It was even harder to fill the vaccum. But I did:

- I started attending a mood disorder support group. The act of just seeing faces and engaging with people helped a great deal. But I have formed some acquaintanceships that have thus far lasted several years,
- I forced myself (as frightening as it was for me) to reach out to some former acquaintances that I had lost touch with over the years. I now have a once weekly art and coffee date with these renewed friends, and
- I found several organizations to volunteer for. This has given me a sense of purpose but there is also a social side to being around people.

Now, these above efforts had a trickledown effect in that I inturn met more people and became more active. In fact I am in a wonderful relationship with a man that woud have otherwise passed me right on by. Additionally, I look better after myself. I am physically healthier. I have even lost some weight (I am also on Metformin).

It wasn't easy. And I find myself sometimes longing for the 'easier' days of internet socializing. But I have not relented and in the longrun my life is better for it; socially, emotionally, mentally, and physically.