Hello Ariana. Welcome to DS. Sorry for what brings you here, but glad you were here. Feel free to hang out as much or as little as you want. Weirdos welcome. It's a come as you are party.

For my psychic nickle, there is no tougher arena to balance than the social arena. Too much social life and I begin feeling shallow and used. Too little and . . . well. . . I think you have some clues.

Oh, for the love of balance. . . The only thing harder than finding a balance is keeping a balance. This forum is one of the places I feel safe sorting the details in that quest for balance.

Gentle support while you balance your own social equation. Welcome aboard.

First, find something you enjoy doing that fits you. Use this as a guide to help you in social situations. Remember to smile, stand with shoulders back, and breathe.

When other people are being mean, it does NOT make it your problem. What you are responsible is how you respond, what you say and what you do.
When you change your response to fit your well-being, it will change others' response as the usual will no longer fit. That does not mean it will get better, sometimes it gets, however, it does change.

In groups where you feel excluded, figure out what it is that draws you to those groups. Once you are able to walk away from those groups and find a group that works for you, just the way you are right now, even if it is different.

Just as a note of interest, what you may not know about your friends' thoughts is that the "popular" one who is mean may use that type of behavior to feel better about themselves. The not wanting to do things, is another clue that what you have in common may not be enough to enjoy activities together in public.

Take a moment to look at your knowledge, skill, and ability ... you are much stronger than you realize and you can treat yourself better with kindness, gentle words, and being positive about you are.

No matter where you are, stand with your shoulders back, and smile. Best wishes!

You did the important first step in writing it out.

I know that pain, I actually only have one really close friend, I can hang out with,,,,,,,we both Have cerebral palsy, So that helps, So, that's why I struggle with it, cause no one really wants to understand.


I feel socially awkward and I'm 42, so, don't feel bad, we adult's feel that way too, It's better If I'm talking one-on-one with someone, Not good In groups, But, still find It hard to strike up a conversation.

Hi Ariane,
The Art of Making Friends.
1st Rule: Want to Be A Friend To Yourself.
2nd Rule: Be A Friend To Yourself
3rd Rule: Know that the Most Profound Relationship Ever in this Life will Be With Yourself.
4th Rule< Never Forget The Above Rules.

Focus on Yourself-Whatever you like,excel at it master it- Others
will automatically be intrigued Focus on yourself and All Else Will Follow

Hugs Hugs.

I am sorry you are going through this. Making real friends can be very difficult sometimes. Have you thought about joining a club or activities that you are interested in? Doing that would help you find friends with the same interests as you. I hope everything gets better!