[absentminded]

As I lose more friends, it gets harder for me to trust people. I try to make friendships work and they just always end. My therapist told me not to depend on others for happiness as I've absolutely no control over other people's actions and behaviour and she's right. Then it makes me wonder what is the point in having friends, when I've had so many bad experiences with people? It's like I was destined to be a loner. I seem to be losing contact with a friend. I e-mailed this person and I can't get through to them either by phone or e-mail. I contacted another friend to find out what's wrong with the previous friend, but to no avail. What's worse is I revealed to this friend that I suffer from SA. She was the only colleague I told and she was very accepting of it and sent me a few e-mails to keep in contact after I moved home. Now, for some reason I can't contact her and I've no idea why. It's just strange and it's very hurtful to me. If she was dead, the other friend that I contacted would tell me.

[jimmy rich]

Originally Posted by absentminded

My therapist told me not to depend on others for happiness

I'd stick with that.......
Or this: Happiness Is a Choice: Barry Neil Kaufman: 9780449907993: Amazon.com: Books

[niceguy]

Friendships end and evolve. That's life. The reason for friends is to have someone to talk to, which as humans we need that interaction. Trust is easily broken these days, as everyone appears to be out for number one, however to give up on your friends, would be ly give up on life.
As for the other friend, you don't know what they are going through ATM. Have some patience and I'm sure the answers you seek will be yours soon.

[healingme4me]

Goes with the old adage, by the time you reach your senior age years, you'll probably be able to count the number of friends you have on one hand.

There is no way, I can rely on any of my friends to be my daily friend. No time, no energy and frankly, I don't have it to give in return. I like, life this way. It's the equivalent of playing the field but in friendships. I bumped into a coworker today. We chatted quite a while. I haven't seen her, since June. That's how my friendships, go. I have one friend, that I've got to tell her a specific day, and we can meet up for lunch. Haven't seen her since I was 16. We don't even chat daily on FB or Instagram, but the bond remains. I've another, the next time, I make it to Maine. I've probably got a place or two to stay, in Florida, if I get the chance to visit. None of these friendships, occurred over night, barring the childhood bonds, but those then the bonds were formed by day to day interactions. Work friends, as well. Little by little.

Starts with branching out into your interests and work. And little by little, building on each positive interaction. Cannot rely on one or two people, to save us from ourselves. Sometimes, knowing how to be content with a little solitude leads to a bit more happiness. More likely to be able to create an acquaintance type friendship at the coffee shop with the woman with a hearing aid. Just sayin'.