[everything]

I've been pretty much alone for much of the past 2-3 years. I've had some workplace relationships, but haven't really made any new friends during that time and have lost friends and my social anxiety has gotten worse. I feel pretty much alone in the world. My parents don't feel very close to me and the only people I can really relate to are my sisters and one (formerly) close friend who I have rarely seen in the past 5 years since leaving high school. I feel desperately alone and have tried a couple thing to get out and meet people, but haven't had any luck yet.

I had to move in February and I've met people, but haven't made any friends or had much luck finding anyone to hang out with or talk to. I'm desperate to talk to people and I have so many ideas in my head that just have no outlet. It's very trying to live like this and my motivation suffers. I"m wondering if anyone has had good experiences moving to a new place. How did you make friends?

If you've had social anxiety, how have you become confident again and found people who wanted to be friends?

[Dan12345]

Sorry to hear that your feeling alone, this might sound daft but have you had a look at getting a dog? Walking the dog you will meet others, dog classes you will meet others.

Another thing you could try is plenty of fish.com there is options for just friends or relastionship. Give it ago you have nothing to lose. Keep me updated with how you get along.

Dan
X

[alone in the world]

When I first moved back to CA and was so alone I went on line looking for support and came across the meetups, I believe they are nation wide and it consist of different groups that have a common bond and they meet and do activities. I joined one for women 40 and over and love going out to dinner and the movies with them. It has given me the opportunity to talk and get to know others before bringing them into my personal circle. That worked well for me you can join as many meetups as you see fit and feel you will belong. Give it a try. Lonliness is a hard thing to swallow I still battle with it because I push people away and also have social anxiety. finding a good support group worked well for me and after I left the group I remained friends with one member who knew my history and was and knew how to listen and be there for me. Those are 2 good starting places. Good luck

[everything]

I"m in a group right now. They don't want us to be friends till after its over and that's in about 3 months. I don't know how its going to go, this'll be the third time today, I really don't know what to expect.

I've craigslisted a couple people because I did meet a friend off of that site once. It has not been very fruitful, though. Getting a dog or any animal is just not possible because of money--I'm making like $350/month.

I did hang out with someone from work once, but it didn't turn into anything. Work is alright, but I usually don't feel like talking there. Some people intimidate me too because when I started I got criticized a lot and felt really dumb.

I've been on meetups, I've been going to college clubs and they just don't meet very often. I'm really struggling to find anything to do. If I were to join 10 clubs I'd probably be able to find like 12 hours worth of time per month and most of it wouldn't be talking to people, it'd be hearing the group leader give their talk or whatever. I"m going to try to volunteer more, I think my schedule's about to open up, so there should be more opportunities.

[everything]

I don't post about myself much and this has been my main problem for years now so I'm going to bump it. I'm sorry to all of you who have not gotten responses yet. I usually respond to you but it is very late right now.

[perseverance11]

Originally Posted by everything

I've been pretty much alone for much of the past 2-3 years. I've had some workplace relationships, but haven't really made any new friends during that time and have lost friends and my social anxiety has gotten worse. I feel pretty much alone in the world. My parents don't feel very close to me and the only people I can really relate to are my sisters and one (formerly) close friend who I have rarely seen in the past 5 years since leaving high school. I feel desperately alone and have tried a couple thing to get out and meet people, but haven't had any luck yet.

I had to move in February and I've met people, but haven't made any friends or had much luck finding anyone to hang out with or talk to. I'm desperate to talk to people and I have so many ideas in my head that just have no outlet. It's very trying to live like this and my motivation suffers. I"m wondering if anyone has had good experiences moving to a new place. How did you make friends?

If you've had social anxiety, how have you become confident again and found people who wanted to be friends?

Hello everything,

I am sorry to hear that you feel alone.

Maybe you could try to do some activities that you like in a group where you could know some new people?

[everything]

I addressed this in my second post. I've tried, but it hasn't worked very well yet. Maybe it's just timing, I don't know. There's very little real interaction, it's a lot of "the leader talks, then we have a meeting" and not much spontaneity or getting to know anyone. And they're like once a month.

[EmptyPseudonym]

I know how you feel. At school there is no one I can relate to. A bit because of my age and not living on campus. But, more than anything because I don't feel like I can relate to anyone. There's so much I've been through and still go through because of my anxiety and depression; and how its effected (and effecting) me and my life, that most people just can't possibly understand. And sometimes I feel the most lonely when I'm around the few people I consider friends. A lot of those I call friends are more like close acquaintances in a lot of ways because there is so much that I can't talk to them about which is having such an impact on my life. I wish I had some kind of sagely wisdom to give you but more and more I feel like I can't relate to people or how they think. And I question weather I'm even capable of making friends that I have a connection to. Anyhow you're not alone, in feeling like you're totally alone.

[tigerlily84]

There's so much I've been through and still go through because of my anxiety and depression; and how its effected (and effecting) me and my life, that most people just can't possibly understand.

Ah EmptyPseudonym, it's like we're the same person! That is exactly how I feel.
@ everything - I wish I had some advice for you, but since we have similar problems, so I can only offer my understanding. I can make friends fairly easily but then I tend to pull away because I feel that they know too much about me. I don't trust easily, as you can tell. Please feel free to PM me if you like.

Also, I hope that you're in therapy, Everything, and anyone else reading this that feels the same way. I am going to bring this up next week with my T. Maybe your T can help you with that and can come up with some suggestions.