I think the easiest thing would be to join a group - a small group - of people with similar interests. Try a club like... well for instance, I joined a Camera Club. All you need is a camera, which just about everyone has. It's a small yearly fee to join. They only meet twice a month, and they occasionally go on field trips - but it isn't mandatory for you to go if you don't want to. Something like that would take away the feeling that you are committed... like if you were meeting a friend for lunch, you might feel that if you couldn't make it at the last minute, your friend is left hanging and might be upset with you. With a club of this nature, if you didn't show up, the meeting or event would still go on. You also meet people with similar interests... and you could choose a group of people that you'd feel more comfortable around... for instance, the Camera Club that I go to is for the most part older people - like retirees. It's a casual atmosphere too.

Just a suggestion!

thank you for sharing this, Divine Star. (like your username!).

I identify with the friend-making thing.

I used to have at least two friends growing up, even if I lost them, others seemed to replace them.

Now, it isn't happening.

Billi

Thanks Dixie, That is my goal right now, to find a group or something like that, the hard part is actually making the first step, going. My anxiety and panic always take over, then I just give up. What has worked for me before was having someone go with me the first time, then I get the feel of things and decided whether to stay or not. But now since I have no one, I just don't know what to do.

Thanks for sharing Billi ! ((((Love & Hugs))) for ya!

I can totally understand what you are feeling, what u r going thru, now. The closest person in the world to me has just told me that she doesn't have time for me because i'm needy, right now.

Ahhh, ways to meet new people, maybe join a support group. Take up a hobby; join a class. Something you enjoy. Maybe volunteer at an animal shelter?

I hope you meet some new people soon :)

facebook is a great way.

i'm connected with family, old high school friends, college friends, work friends...and i don't really have to even see them in real life to feel like i still "keep up with them."

i also go to exercise in the park. i don't talk to any of the people there, but i can still feel like i'm part of a group of people who are there for the same reason. so, that's interaction too. (different people can tolerate different levels of interaction. for me, this can be enough!)

yes sometimes i look at other people who seem happier in groups of friends and such, but that is actually really draining on me in "high doses"...that's part of being an introvert. and introverts cannot look at extroverts as say "boy if i could just do what they do and be happy like that and have fun, i'd be happy too"...but it's completely different for introverts...just like an extrovert would be absolutely miserable if they had as much alone time as introverts.

Thank you for your responses! Love and HUGS!

I sympathize with you. Just yesterday I was venting to my therapist over my lack of friends and social connections.

Right now I'm using CBT to cope with the anxiety. Socially, I'm trying to attend support group meetings as well as participate in meetups (on meetup.com). I also have a couple book on social networking I want to read.

Billi, I've had similar experiences with friends. Up until my late 20's I just always had a small group of friends, with people coming in or falling out on occasion. As the years wore on people started falling out but weren't being replaced and I ended up where I am now.

I think meeting new people is tougher as we grow older.

If there's a support group that's appropriate for you..social anxiety possible...that's a double. You get to address the social anxiety with others who understand it and also you start some interaction...

You could also try meetup.com if you have that where you live..it offers meetups for people with various interests, hobbies, issues etc...

Love to you..I've dealt with this too. I've felt abandoned by so many people in my life for no good or obvious reasons...