losing hope in having friends

Hi @Suporthe 

Welcome to the forums

I understand. I struggle with friendships too. I have no friends that I can meet up with, no friends that call to see how I am. Nothing. 

I get told to join local community groups, but the thoughts of walking into a room full of strangers fills me with dread and anxiety.

The only friends I have is on the forums here. I know it's not the same as in real life, but it does help being able to talk to people who know what it's like, who I can relate too.

I'm not sure if this helps, but you are not alone.

I understand. I struggle with friendships too. I have no friends that I can meet up with, no friends that call to see how I am. Nothing. -- same here @Suporthe , @Snowie 

my friends are here on the forum 

what things do you like to do 

and any furbabies 

Hi everybody, I am new to the forum.

I used to have a lot of "friends" but then I realized real friends text you back, real friends care if you didnt show up to work that day. Now I dont have any friends, but tgats better then having a bunch a fake ones.

Hi @Suporthe 

ohh I like math too! Was a maths teacher

No cats but I do have a dog

Do you like any tv shows/movies at all?

Hello and welcome @Icecream , @Suporthe 

A little tip to put a @ In front of members names so they can receive your message and reply back to you 

@Snowie , @Jynx 

@Shaz51 

Thanks, not sure if I did it right though. 🙂

Welcome @Icecream 😊

I hope you find some friends here! There's many lovely people around - like our dear @Shaz51!

Sometimes people can take time to reply (others you will hear back from within minutes haha) but doesn't mean folks don't care. 

Also you can find some handy-dandy how-to's here. 

Yes ❤️ got it @Icecream 

I have no furbabies now at the moment 

And I like playing word games 

@Suporthe , @Snowie ,

@Jynx has 2 cats 🐈 

Hi @Icecream 

nice to meet you too

I hope you find here a supportive community

Thanks @Snowie @Jynx and @Shaz51 for a very nice welcome to the forum. ❤️

Hi @Icecream @Suporthe 

How is your day going?

Hi @Suporthe ,

Isn't what @Snowie wrote excellent.

I also struggle to make friends. Even when I had regular contact with people through work and church I had acquaintances more than friends. Mostly my experience of inviting people to things is that they say no. I wait for another person to invite me which doesn't happen very often.

But I have made friends on this Forum. The shared empathy is amazing.

Hi @Icecream ,

Welcome to the Forum! I was going to include you in my post to @Suporthe but your name wasn't coming up and I couldn't remember it.

You will find real, understanding friends on this Forum.

Thank you everybody for all the support

Sorry to hear you are going through those challenges. Perhaps it is something that we all struggle with along with the challenges of our various "labels". My psychologist recently asked me who I reached out to have deep and meaningful discussions and it would appear like you, my answer was nobody. That's not necessarily because I have burned anyone, but moreso because so many conversations are so inane that I couldn't be bothered. Most blokes only seem to talk on a superficial level, (i.e. cars and football) and I would much prefer to talk to women because there interests are so much broader and the conversation far more intellectual. It seems to be very difficult, particularly in a small rural town, to find people with more worldly interests than what has appeared on Facebook during the day.

Hello and welcome @random55 

So good to see 👀 you here 

@Suporthe , @Icecream , @Realness , @Snowie , @rav3n , @Anonymouse1000 @moderator 

Thanks @Realness 

I have acquaintances too but no friends. If I see them out they might stop to say hi quickly but thats it. No call to see if I'm ok, no asking out to catch up, nothing. Sometimes I feel like I've got a big sign on me saying "damaged goods, do not be her friend".

My only friends are on this forum too.

Hi @Snowie ,

When I read your first reply in this thread the first thing I thought was: I want that person as a friend. You definitely don't have a "do not be her friend" sign here. I love your honesty.

Welcome to the forums @Suporthe 

I used to be into math and still love cats.

I still have a History of Mathematics on my bookcase, but have moved sideways into music.

@Icecream Hearing you about the issues with superficial interactions. I have been trying all my life for genuine and deeper connections. Some people seem unable to listen, have compassion, or be fair about give and take.  I am slowly learning. Taken a while. 

@random55 @Shaz51 @Snowie 

I just want to say thanks to ever one who responded,it means so much that you all want out of your way to talk to me.

you've all been amazing help to me and am glad am not alone 

Welcome to the forums @Suporthe @random55 ,

I hope you find the forums helpful as you navigate some of life's challenges. We're a pretty friendly and supportive bunch! We look forward to seeing you around.

Hi 

I’m a newbie here but just wanted to add support , I’ve just arrived back in Aussie and am finding it very hard to make connections. I did start volunteering at an op shop with my son to support him and also in the hope of making friends . It’s not for everyone and you do get lots of consoling  comments about how wonderful  it is to have somewhere safe for him to be.  As they don’t see me they only see his disabilities

But I’m hopeful that by sticking it out I might make a connection . I’m going to try other volunteering places like museums and RSPCA’s 

don’t give up hope 

Hello and welcome @Fairlyvintage 

How are you going today @Suporthe 

@tyme 

Hey @Fairlyvintage ,

Good on you for being there to support your son. 

Depending on where you are located and your son's needs, there are some supported workplaces susidised by the government. I know someone who works in one of these workshops and it's incredible how much they support those with additional needs.

Do you have people to support with the caring of your son?

I know it's important that you also get some down time, but I also know that the reality is, many carers just don't have that down time.

Please look after yourself.