i've been thinking about this for a while.. and decided it's for the best.

so sick of people telling me- they can't handle my issues, i'm too much work, they are scared to talk to me... so i'm going to just give up trying to make any friends- i'm just going to be alone

not quite sure if a life without friends is possible, but heck.. i'm going to give it a go

[Skeezyks]

Well... the Skeezyks is married. (Which presents its own problems...) So he can't honestly say he is entirely alone. But beyond being married, he has no family, friends, or even acquaintances by choice. The Skeezyks is an older person though. And I suppose this also makes it easier... Good luck...

[Prism Bunny]

Taking a break is fine, but do not make it a permanent one. Humans are social creates by nature, and that is something one cannot change.

Yet... You should do what's best for you. Why not reflect somewhere peaceful like on a beach or in the mountains? Take both a mental and physical vacation.

[dexter]

Have you tried a support group? I've found the DBSA run groups very much suited to me. Some people make friends there that exist outside of the groups... I haven't, but for me just some weekly interaction with a group of people who understand and won't judge is very helpful for me. I can talk if I have an issue, sometimes listen and help others, or sometimes just sit quietly and be around people who are empathetic. Some of the groups go out to a diner together (optionally) after the meeting so it is a chance to just sit and socialize with people with no judgement.

[dexter]

Also I agree with Prism Bunny. If you feel this is what you need to do now it doesn't have to be permanent. Also make sure you are not cutting off some supportive friends because all you can process right now are the troublesome ones. Consider it carefully and don't feel bad about doing what you need to do for your own wellness right now.

[qwerty68]

I am not sure that I even have a life but it is at least possible to exist without friends. I do have family in my life so I am not totally alone.

2010 is when I shut out everyone but family. Even before that, going back to after high school(1986) I can count on both hands, and have fingers left over, the number of people I let into my life and could be called a friend. I have zero regrets and don't feel lonely in the slightest.

The older I get the less I care about having friends.

You can pull back for a while and see how that goes. Each person reacts differently to being alone.

I have gone through periods when I was friendless. I can consider myself as a "semi-loner" and there are times that I love time alone. But having a period being friendless can be a real drag.

I only have one friend going for me now. I feel very lucky to have him as a friend. There are lots of times when I find myself having to be a "people pleaser" for him. I feel that he does not understand me with my depression very well. He has some knowledge of what depression is; but he's had very little experience in dealing with others with depression. And he claims that he never had it himself. There are times when I do get fed up with his criticizing and talking to me like I'm a little boy. And also having to tote him around at times because he can't drive. But there are lots of times when I feel like I wouldn't know what to do without him in my life. There were times when we almost split up.

I don't have any real suggestions for you. Except that it would be nice if you could somehow make a friend who can be like you. At least that person can understand you well, and you could understand that person also. I've been to a depression support group a few times. I had not been able to make any friends there as I had hoped, but I did see others become friends. Maybe that could happen to you, too.
Remember (I know that this may be an annoying statement for me to say and I'm sure you've heard it before) that people are not perfect.

[kamikazebaby]

I quite agree; I'm there myself. Tired of being judged, picked apart, and rejected. I've realized that everything is contaminated at the core and that "connection" is nothing more than a transitory illusion built upon favorable misunderstandings that give out sooner or later. It feels far better to just stop rather than repeating the failure in an endless loop. The worst thing isn't being isolated - it's struggling in desperate futility to build and maintain these so-called "relationships" with people, being tortured by them.

I hope that stepping back from humans will ease your pain somewhat.

[apatheticblues]

I haven't had a friend since almost 10 years ago when my only friend decided to cut ties with me. It wasn't all that great a loss since we didn't have much in common other than daughters the same age. I have my family which for the most part is enough for me. I have always been shy and a bit of a loner but I do wish sometimes I had somebody outside of my husband to really talk to. I don't like to burden my daughters with my state of mind and body unless I can't hide it from them.

[IA_2809]

Originally Posted by shattered sanity

not quite sure if a life without friends is possible, but heck.. i'm going to give it a go

It's possible, but you'll rediscover once an again new meanings for insanity.

Not saying you don't try it (I did), but it's better if you let a tiny door open behind you. Just in case.

[Fuzzybear]