I've come to believe other people make you miserable for the most part, not yourself. It's true most of the time. I mean, you can argue with me all you want, but the truth of the matter is that other people absolutely can and do make you miserable, BUT they absolutely CANNOT make you happy or even content. They can at most, enhance that, to some degree.
Other people have the power to make you miserable. You yourself have that power too, but it's rarely exercised. No, rather you think, other people say you YOU ALONE are making yourself miserable...NOT. Think about it. As a social animal do you have the power to 100% control something that is HEAVILY socially infulenced like depression or anxiety? No. You don't. Other people possess too much of that power.
Disagree? What do we look to OTHER people for? Beauty? Absolutely! Success? No doubt. Popularity? Hello! Furthermore, we look for the approval of our parents and siblings, our bosses and co-workers. Oh, and then, there is the whole religion thing...Are you righteous enough---for other people????
What I have discovered is, I AM miserable around people who are narcissistic, superficial, judgmental, petty, mean, self-centered, perpetually envious, and insanely competitive. Who wouldn't be? Fact is, I was/ am SURROUNDED by these people. The only time I'm depressed/hopeless/feeling inferior/not liking life at all is when I'm around these people!
When I'm alone, I'm NOT saying everything is ROSES, but I would NEVER trade my own company for the company of those soul eating vampires who truly do make me miserable.
I'm not saying I've conquered my depression, but I've learned to really enjoy the company of the kindest, sweetest, most compassionate person I have ever met...and that is ME!!!!