[BarbiGirl]

Lately I seem to be chronically depressed. I live with my best friends, and lately I seem to hold the expectation that They need to make ME happy. I know that this is a backwards view towards life, because I know that if I expect the world around me to make me happy, I will always be disappointed. I know this, yet I feel that I lack the inner strength to take my own happiness into my own hands. Which makes me further depressed. I feel left out of their fun and games because I don't enjoy video games or being intoxicated or smoking, and because I always have to leave to go to work or run other errands. I feel like I don't have anything in common with my best friends anymore, which makes me very sad, because I love them to death, and I don't want to loose them from my life.

I don't know if I'm writing for an outlet, for encouragement, or for advice.

[Gus1234U]

dear Barbie,,, one thing i have learned lately is: it's ok to grieve. you are loosing one life, and beginning another,,, the new life will have it's own joys and excitemtents, it's own little sorrows and troubles,,, this is true of all of life, as it changes and changes and changes, until we find our own true core. Watch for what brings you genuine Peace,, deep peace,, and follow that. Wishing you all the best... Gus

Hello, BarbiGirl. I wish you well on your journey to a better life.

[haier]

i don't know if this will help but sometimes we get over friends. you know how we seem to have like fads? well, sometimes friends are like that , maybe you're getting ready to move on , you shouldn't feel sad. it sounds like you're so much more mature and realistic about life. i mean your friends play video games and smoke while you work and run errands....get my drift? sounds like you're ready to move up a notch, try making new friends who you can share current interests with. oh and by the way: you don't have to end your friendship...i've had a lot of friends and they're all so different. i have friends that i strictly go shopping with and have coffee, friends to go out at night, friends who i can depend on for advice and so on. it's not bad, you're just entering into another stage right now. i know it's hard but you will only feel unhappy if you stay stuck. go out explore!

[Rhiannonsmoon]

Dear One

Since you have been given such good advice there is nothing to add in that regard. You are indeed offered as much support as you need

Morgana