I have read many other of your posts and you seem very down to earth and sensible. You have lived through some difficulty and have grown stronger for it.

When you say you are isolated, are you isolated by circumstances, or by other issues.

Me, I struggle with both kinds of loneliness, isolated by how I can get around in a wheelchair, no longer am able to drive--a new wheelchair van is being saved up for. I used to take part in a Catholic retreat, I would share with them those truths that God provided me and the struggles I lived through--even there during table time and after the talks were done--for some reason people don't connect with me, it is not that I don't try, in most cases it is those others who backed off.

My older brother can walk into any room and within a half hour he would say that the twenty or so people were his friends. Me I might spend all my time talking to one person. In many cases it boils down to the type of a personality one person's has in life.

Isolating is a hard one isn't it? If you force yourself to socialise and you're not at your best it can make things worse. If you don't socialise you find it harder to do when you have to. I try to chat to one person a day even if its only when I go to the shop just to keep my conversation skills up but never discuss anything personal with strangers. There are a few neighbours here that are retired and lonely that get together for coffee each morning, maybe you can start something like that? Lots of us lonely folks out there. Take care

I isolate as much as possible. I don't talk to anyone at work and when I'm not at work I stay home. I just don't like being around people

There are all sorts of isolation, some claim they are isolated and miserable when they shun other people and shun opportunities to change or improve things for themselvee, others are truly trapped because of their health or other matters. I don't believe you can walk into a room and instantly be a friend with everyone there, a proper friend is more than someone you have known for one minute
and for all you know those people who are being polite to you do not even like you let alone want to be friends with you. I often feel very down and alone but realise that if I tell the person I am with how awful I feel it will make them back off, because they want to be smiling and entertained and happy, not joining me in my misery.
I realise that before someone wants to spend time with you or even get involved with you there has to be something in it for them as well as me. People who meet me say I am always laughing and joking and very easy to chat to and relax with, but that does not mean I feel ok inside. It does mean I have far more chance they will wish to speak to me again.

I isolate also which i know its not good but i don't like the locals much here where i live. Most of them are noisy or gossipy or both.

Well it could get bad if you dont do anything about it. I used to do it alot was afraid of everything. I then slowly got myself out. I dont have alot of friends but i do go to functions with hubby and try hard. I still am very lonely at times.