We all want connection. I believe we were created to have connection whether through friendship, romance or work colleagues. I spent many years feeling alone and disconnected from the outside world. I, like you, grew up in an environment that made me feel worthless by the time I left. Then I'm thrown in the outside world trying to figure out how to make a connection. It's hard!!! Especially when there has been no example of what that is suppose to look like. I spent years people pleasing and sacrificing myself and my happiness for temporary pleasure. What I had to do with myself is (with the assistance of a great therapist) be the person I wanted to attract. For example, if I didn't want to date a smoker, I had to quit smoking. If I wanted to date a guy that was environmentally conscious, I needed to start recycling. The point . . . what are you looking for in relationships . . . then start being it. And more importantly for me, I had to approach each situation with an open heart. Just because the last thing didn't work, doesn't mean that the next thing won't. I had to learn to be my own best friend. Also, every experience we have should not be viewed as bad or good but as an experience, a lesson to what to do different next time. There is no failure unless you stop trying regardless if it is business or relationships. The journey is challenging and I have yet to get everything right in any given situation but with slow progress, I am learning to feel love in my environment, my relationships with others in all capacities and with myself. I had to take the judgment out of the experience and just be in it. I'm hopeful that you can find something useful that you can apply in your life with me sharing my experience. Also, keep in mind that all these people are in relationship . . . what is really important is the quality of the relationship not that everyone is in one.