Hi. I'm sorry to hear that you are struggling with making friends. You seem to be aware that you are having even more difficulty than most people at your age. Being too self-aware can certainly be an obstacle to forming attachments.

The best advice I can give you is to find your courage and put your insecurities on the back burner. Yes, it's a tall order, but you can do it. While you are working on that, find some healthy activities that you enjoy, and focus your energy there. Many shy teens go on to great accomplishments this way.

Try not to worry about what other people think about you. It will change from day to day, and you can't control it. It might help you to find a role model and endeavor to be more like them, but "finding yourself" is more important in the long run. What are your primary interests, outside of making friends?

You are definitely not alone. I feel the exact same way, wondering if I came off weird and feeling inadequate. I know people arent thinking about me as much as I think they are but in the moment it doesnt feel that way.

Patterson reminds me "If I really knew how little time people think about me, and how much they thought only of themselves, I wouldn't be worried about what they think at all."

I know it can be hard to make friends. I still have troubles make friends. I am 41 year old now. Just be your shelf. Maybe you could join a club or sport team. Then you could make friends that way. You will make friends that are true friends.

Hey,

I have also been where you are. I was given this by a psychologist I used to see. Hopefully it can help you too. <3

https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/unhelpful-thinking-styles/

yard eggs - yes, but it's not so much about what they think, but how they act. if ppl are always staring at you like a zoo animal or giving you dirty looks or smirks, and don't bother to actually try to get to know you - that can obviously make you feel like there must be something wrong w/you.

I still have difficulties making friends and have feelings of inadecuacy from time to time. Get involved in something you like and when you least expect it you will find good friends. Don't give up and get exposure to social situations.

Best thing to do? Don't try to change yourself to appeal to others. Shouldn't care what others think of you: especially this day & age with group think & the sheep mentality. Oh, it's always been there, but it's exploded with "social media" and has seep into the world of adulthood.

Too many wanna "keep up with the Jones" and mainly only say things that are currently hip. People like this will always be fake & untrustworthy. They fear more than you not to be accepted--they're nothing but robotic conformists.

Can it be lonely to think this way? It can, but it surely beats living a lie & dealing with the back-stabbing drama these losers bring to the table. I've been through it & it's not worth the aggravation.

And don't value yourself on the number of friends you have. This is also a twisted narcissistic tendency these days who feel they need validity by everyday counting how many "friends" they have on Facebook. 99% of these people only know you by virtual posts. They're not real friends.

There's nothing wrong with being introverted. You have friends in high school you've had since grade school? That's an accomplishment & should remind you that you are valued & they like you for you...

High School isn't forever and it's certainly not everyone's "best years of their life". When you have access to a car, perhaps go to college and/or hold a job, it will help you gain independence, start with a clean slate meeting new people & will enable you to go places which will help you broaden ways to explore life better than you have as a kid.

Stay strong & be good to yourself.