When is it enough?

I have been trying all my life to connect and I have only a minimal connection left with one of my two children. I never had any real friends, I can't get along with coworkers, and my own mother rejected me! I have thought about this a lot. I am a very kind and decent person, and I volunteer my time and resources to help those who are "less fortunate" than I am. I think I am better adjusted and more realistic than other people. I'm honest and real. I'm tired of the social pressure to have a significant other and a few close friends. I have acquaintances that rarely last more than a few months. I usually get just as tired of them as they do of me--maybe more so. I'm tired of being rejected by people I don't really want to be around to start with. When can I say I've given it my best shot and it just didn't work out? I enjoy my own company and I have hobbies to keep me busy. I daydream sometimes about taking a 3 day hike into the forest and coming out to find that everyone in the world has disappeared--all just gone without any signs of trauma. I like expanding on this line of thinking. I think about how I would survive. I think I'd be fine.

Sounds like you would be fine & pretty confidant in who you are. I really like my alone time, a lot. Don't need to give in to the social pressures and I think you know that. Keep being who you are, you don't have to have the same values as the status quo. In fact in makes you more unique & interesting. And if someone comes along who can be a real friend, enjoy. If not, continue to enjoy your hobbies, hikes, & "you" time. Hanging out here is good, no pressure, no need to get too intimate, but have some folks to talk to when you feel like it.

Thank you! I was watching a doctor on TV (Amend, I think) saying I'd live longer with a partner--I fully expect to live to 95. I just hope I still know who
I am. It's no wonder all those people, denying reality and compromising their values to make sure they never have to be alone, want to put pressure on the rest of us to be like them--validates their insecurities.