[livelaughlove_94]

Ever since I can remember, even since I was quite young (I'm 23 now) I've never been particularly happy at spending lots of time with family or other people

If I could, I'd literally stay by myself and listen to tons of albums/music and read books. Obviously I'd also use the internet too aha! Just come home from a job that wouldn't require tons of socializing and office politics etc and be alone.

Reclusive? Family and society seems to tell me that I'm not normal and that perhaps I am depressed because I love being alone and not socializing/doing lots and lots of small talk

I really love going for long walks with my dog or alone in nature and sometimes prefer it to engaging in small talk

Maybe I'm socially anxious? I had about 5 years of constant bullying during my school years by a lot of classmates because I had a physical impairment. You know what kids can be like

I wonder if this has contributed to the "tender years" , the development of the mind when you're young and how early events can shape it? Although I don't sit around thinking about it as it happened many years ago now

Thoughts?

[Sunflower123]

You sound like a perfectly normal introvert to me. I'm the same way. I always say leave me on a tropical island with a lifetime supply of books and I'd be happy. It's interesting that we've both been victims of bullying. I'm not sure how that dynamic plays into it. I personally can't spend too much time with others because it drains me. Seems like it might be the same with you. There's a difference between being an introvert and being reclusive.

[Skeezyks]

I'm an older person now. I've pretty-much always preferred to be / needed to be alone as much as possible. And now that I'm older & no longer have to work, I lead an almost entirely solitary lifestyle by choice. I just prefer to be left alone.