[JoeS21]

This is really embarrassing but I would like advice about how to forge relationships including but not limited to friendships with others? I would rather not go into detail but sometimes I stand out as different. I live in the northeast. I am very busy and the people I admire most also tend to be busy concise people for what that's worth. So far, my best relationships have formed around doing homework together but I am not taking many classes right now. In what ways would you recommend approaching or attracting new acquaintances (just normal acquaintances) and how do you intentionally deepen relationships over time?

The awful title is because I believe that my childhood abuser has influenced my behavior in ways I am unaware of that keep me from relating to others, meeting new people (non-awkwardly), and maintaining and deepening relationships over time.

Hi JoeS21. I appreciate your honesty and vulnerability. You can try attending local support groups or recovery groups, to find people you can relate to. You can also try attending hobby-based meetups, community classes, or activism groups in your area.

When you are doing something you really enjoy, or learning something you have always wanted to learn, or engaged in a cause you feel passionate about, you are naturally going to relate to people in the group and will have a lot to talk about.

I wish you success.