"Just get a dog".

That's what went through my mind earlier while was struggling to understand why I have such a difficult time meeting new people and forming lasting friendships.

People are often just too complicated, judgemental and untrusting. Relationships can take years to build and there's never a guarantee it will be a lasting one. It takes a LOT of work and there are many variables involved. It's a very complex thing.

On the other hand, a dog (or other pet) does not judge you and will usually "tame up" and accept you after only a few days. However, an animal can not do many of the things that another human can do and so it only partially fills the "void". Animals don't talk, they can't drive, they can't split the bills or balance a checkbook.

If I was filthy rich, a pet might be a good alternative but I am not. I need people for all the same reasons other people need people and yet I always feel like the odd-man out. The "fifth wheel on the wagon". I never leave the house and when I do go somewhere, people never pay attention to me and so I always end up standing around awkwardly waiting for someone to walk over and strike up a conversation but it never happens. I have serious rejection issues so starting a conversation on my own is out of the question and because of my ADHD and other issues, I tend to be loud, overbearing and socially inept.

I'll write more about this later in subsequent replies but I just never quite feel like I belong and I don't know how to relate to other people.

- Thank's for letting me share