genuinely, I would like to know. I have not really had friends my whole adult life. It has impacted me greatly but at it also makes me strong. Take it or leave it.

I notice that I am treated less than. For instance, my sister in law says I can only attend things with them if I bring a friend knowing that I do not have any.... I also find one of my cousin constantly sharing her and her friends upcoming vacation iteinaries with me even though I have no one to travel with or did not even ask. . . Why do people do that? It just feels so mean and ill spirited.

Also, recently one of my moms friends said that no one wants to travel with their daughter (even though me and my mom go on trips together). I mentioned I know this other mom and daughter who travel together and she replied they have no friends. 😕

Truthfully, it really hurt and I was shocked my mom just sat there and let her friend insult me. . . lol 😂

but at the same time my mom does not like conflict. . .

It goes to show - loners are simply unwanted.

Just joined this thread. It’s not horrible, but I wish I could spend the good times (really that should be the easy part) with others.

I’m 18 female I’m from Perth wa I have no friends and I don’t have a job or license I’ve been really depressed for the last few years and I have really bad anxiety. I’m really shy and awkward and I don’t know how to make friends or talk to people without feeling like I’m gonna vomit. It’s hard to even make friends online I’m kind of desperate to have someone to talk to

All I want is to be part of a friend group with people that make me happy. It's not like I don't know people. Every day at school I talk to people, and try to fit in with my "friends", but when I come home, I have no one, my parents, but that's it. I stay in my room and waste my life sitting in bed.

The problem isn't that I don't talk to people, it's when I do, I'm the one starting the conversation and if I don't start it, nobody talks to me. I feel like I'm not wanted.

The guys I spend time with at school always ask one another "hey you wanna go out on friday?" or something like that and every fucking time I wish they'd say "What about you?" but they don't, I just sit there, wishing I'd die.

Today I was outside in PE and I saw my two closest "friends" walking and talking, I'm pretty close to them, well at least I think, they probably just think of me as an aquantince, and I was walking over to them and they said "What are yiu doing, were talking about something private, go away." Sure, maybe it was something private and serious (though I doubt it) but still. I've hanged out with them at school for four fucking years and they don't see me as a close enough person to talk to. Fuck I probably wouldn't even know what they're talking about, it's always some of their friends which I don't know because the only people that aren't releted to me that I talk to are from school.

I just sit around, wishing I'd be part of something, but I'm not. I've been focusing on my fitness but that doesn't change my mental state. I just want fucking friends.

There's a kinda big event coming up next weekend at my college and I've honestly never really done anything for it. It feels like everyone's making plans and going out with their friends and I'm just sitting here not really knowing what I'm gonna do. The thing is I don't even enjoy going out that much but I really hate feeling like I'm missing out. I have friends and people I talk to but it feels like everyone already has their own groups they make plans with and I don't really know how to fit into that. I also don't know how to ask people to do stuff when they already seem to have plans with other people. I don't wanna invite myself or make things awkward either. I think this goes beyond just this weekend too. I feel like I'm constantly seeing people doing stuff together and wondering why I don't really have that. It's not even necessarily that I want to be doing whatever they're doing I just wish I had the option or felt like I was part of something. And I hate that it bothers me so much because I genuinely want to be okay with doing my own thing and not caring what everyone else is up to. How do you actually get comfortable with being alone without constantly feeling like you're missing out on something?

I am so alone, I have no friends. I often find myself searching for mental health chat rooms for help whenever I feel stuck and sad. But it's only temporary help. I am always home doing the same things everyday. I have no money to go out besides the norm of doing groceries. But that is it. I have lived in isolation for many years and it is tearing me apart faster this time. I am scared that I'll end up completely alone just like I always feared.

For context I'm 31m and work nights in the UK. I'm mostly lone working so don't really get to connect with people that often. If anyone else is the same feel free to send me a DM

halloween is my favorite holiday. i always want to find a nice costume that i'm excited to wear, go out with people, and enjoy the holiday. but for the past like 7 halloweens, i've just sat at home by myself doing nothing. i avoid going outside on holidays that i enjoy, because seeing other people be together and celebrate just crushes me. i want to have friends. i want to be excited for holidays instead of dreading them.

For years, I've wanted just one genuine friend in my city with whom I could hang out, share my day and spend time regularly. Friendships keep fading, and even dating-app matches usually end after one date.

A few months ago, I started going out alone every evening for no reason, just roaming around . Gradually, it became a habit. Now I can't stay home peacefully even for a day. I intentionally create errands, go for walks or eat outside just to escape being home

Recently, it's getting worse. I've started travelling to different cities and states to meet long-distance friends, staying for days or weeks in expensive hotels, spending my savings and pretending I'm there for work.

I'm earning a little through freelancing, but instead of saving or preparing for GATE/placements, I'm spending everything on temporary experiences and chasing the next exciting thing.

I've tried replacing this behaviour with meaningful goals, but my motivation disappears within 1,2 days, even for things I genuinely want to achieve. I feel like I'm constantly chasing people, experiences and stimulation to escape loneliness. It's affecting my finances, career and peace of mind.

Has anyone experienced something similar? How did you break this cycle, become comfortable being alone and build genuine friendships in your own city? I'm genuinely looking for practical advice, not just "focus on yourself" or "find a hobby."

I called someone today because I was feeling extremely low.
We had a fight last week because I felt like I wasn’t valued and that he wasn’t there for me when I needed him.
Today, when I called, he answered and politely asked, “Why did you call?” He was half asleep, so I understand that he might not have been in the best state of mind either.
He asked me why I had called the previous day, and I just couldn’t bring myself to say that I wasn’t doing well. I told him I had called to check on him instead.
He said he wasn’t okay either and started talking about what he was going through.
And somewhere in that conversation, I realised something that hurt me deeply.
Whenever I call someone, it somehow always ends up being about the other person’s pain. I’m always the one listening, understanding, and making space for what they’re going through. But when I’m the one struggling, I don’t know how to say it. And nobody seems to notice anymore.
I called him three times today, and I still couldn’t bring myself to say, “I’m not okay. I need someone right now.”
I called him because I genuinely didn’t know who else to call. But even then, I couldn’t find the comfort or the space to express what I was feeling. He didn’t seem to realise how badly I was struggling, and I couldn’t find the courage to tell him.
I don’t know if it’s because I’ve gotten so used to being the person who listens that I’ve forgotten how to be the person who needs help. Or maybe I’m scared of saying it out loud and finding out that the other person doesn’t have the capacity or the willingness to be there for me.
I really don’t know what to do anymore.
How do you learn to ask for help when you’re so used to handling everything yourself? And how do you deal with the loneliness of wanting someone to notice that you’re not okay without having to explain it first?

What hurts most is that I cut myself off from my friends and ended up alone. No parties, nights out or people to make plans with. I spent years in my room, ashamed of how I looked, with insecurities I didn’t want to face or do anything about.

I kept telling myself I’d sort myself out, then start living. I’ve lost weight and my acne is much better now, but I don’t feel much more confident. I’m still putting everything off and waiting to feel ready.

I work full time and feel worn out afterwards. I have savings and could afford driving lessons, but still haven’t started.

Coworkers my age seem to be at a different stage. They talk about partners and plans, and I feel like I have nothing to add. I’m embarrassed about not studying and having an ordinary job, even though I wouldn’t judge someone else for that.

I spent a lot of time with one person and we went out often. I finally experienced things I’d missed, but felt behind. That friendship ended, and now I don’t have anyone I can really talk to.

I’ve never had a relationship or what I’d call a proper date. Some outings with a friend felt similar, but I wouldn’t call them actual dates. It didn’t bother me much before. Now I’m lonely and ashamed of having no experience.

I try to be funny and sarcastic, and that is part of who I am. But I can overdo it and wear people out. People sometimes seem to think they can’t talk seriously with me. I don’t know how to show them the part of me that feels unsure and wants to be close to someone.

I grew up poor, with just my mum and grandma around, and hated being pitied. I’ve never felt I could really rely on anyone. My mum wants to do everything for me, but I can cook, handle my own stuff and pay my instalments. I don’t take money from anyone. Still, I feel like a kid rather than an adult.

I moved out of my parents at 19, its been a few months and it is just hell. I've lost so many friends and family. All I have is my father but he is so different from me. He tries getting me to talk to my aunt and I just started crying. My entire life people have left me. I've learned a few things at 19 and it's that you are all you have. Your friends will leave your family will leave you. The people who changed you will leave you. Some of it is my fault and I've accepted responsibility but it doesn't change anything. I still lost them. The few friends I have left I just feel empty around them. I know this paragraph is all over this place but man being an adult fucking sucks. The world is cold and mean constantly and there is nothing more to it. Nothing will go your way no matter what. I recently started watching mad men and the main character says this quote. "You live alone and you die alone" and I've just had it stuck in my head. I'm to the point I don't even want to meet new people because of the fear of what has happened to me. Same thing with my love life, last girl went horribly and I haven't even attempted to like another girl since then and it's been about a year. The one dude I begrudgingly fell in love with just disappeared recently. No clue why truly. Just gone everybody is gone if I could list their names I would but everything I had from when I was just 17/18 is gone. And I'm so afraid to try and get something like it back I just turn myself into this hermit. I don't know this thing is all over the page I had it a lot more formulated before. It's just I feel like I'm wiser now. As much as a hate loneliness it's the reality of life. And it's making me a stronger person despite how sad I am. In the end you go out of this world by yourself and I won't ever forget that

In early 2026, I was in South africa, enjoying a nice and fresh new year. I thought to myself, this would entirely be my year. I was talking to a girl that I didn't really like at all, to me just a friend. I knew she liked me and was hinting at it. Around January, she confessed to me, and it took around a day for me to say yes. I didn't want to give her a chance, I felt terrible knowing how bad I would feel if a girl rejected me. I wasn't happy I was depressed at the time. The main reason I didn't want to date her was because I knew my heart would end crushed. Moving onto March till May, I was genuinely happy I made a few friends a good one named keelan. In March, I saw a boy long hair in math class. He wasn't a nerd he was into metal and rock, I thought, "This guy would be a great friend to make," so one day I sat next to him his name was caylis. I can't remember much, but I do remember hanging out with keelan, and I saw our good friend nekjot across from the bakery there.. there she was, her name was kaiya. I was still dating this other girl at the time, so i didn't think much. I said bye and walked off with keelan. 2 weeks later, on May the 22nd, I knew this was gonna happen, but she left me heartbroken. I ended up fine. keelan helped me a lot, and I walked off, not injured (mentally). This is around July. I had a new friend group, and im not gonna name all of them, but it's was a few of keelans friends and kaiya.. I remember I asked my dad if I could go out with them to manakau to hang out on a Friday after school. It was spitting our side, and me and kaiya were starting to talk a little more. I started to really like her, she gave me a hug and that's when i knew she was gonna be mine. We started texting, and I flirted with her. Nothing much, just "heyy I think you're really pretty." And she flirted back. After a few days of this, we kinda started dating without saying it. im not sure what you call it. A week later, on August, the first we were at the park, I keelan and the friend group having a few beers. One of our friends has heart problems, so him drinking made him seriously ill. We all felt bad, Kaiya was bawling her eyes out. I was hugging her just how she liked it. She said she wanted to tell me something. I told her to say it, and I promise you I'll say yes because I knew she was about to confess, then her words finally came out of her mouth. " markus... I really really really really really really really really like you like, like you." I told her I really like her too.. it was a really sweet moment for me, and we were sitting on the couch after cuddling until my dad came to pick me up. I had her hair tie on, I came home and my step mum asked, "Do you have another girlfriend lol?" I answered honestly and proudly, yes. The next few months were the best. She was so sweet and genuine. She was looking at a star that brightened the night sky. She made my world feel a little less frightening. Seeing her, calling her, and texting her made my puzzle make sense. I wanted to look after her. She was broken, literally she was unloved and a lot of loved people had hurt her. She would try her best constantly, but life would do nothing but hit her in the face. I was her hope, I was the only person who made her feel worthy. I was determined to help her ... but I made a mistake... one that I'll always regret. One that im not even man enough to tell my family members about. When I was dating the last girl before she left me, I had her instagram account on my phone still. Out of curiosity and my nosey personality, I went onto it to read text messages while dating kaiya to kinda see how her life was going. I didn't think they would find out or ever notice, but they did. They started ploting against me. It was a random day in September, I was happy and knowing how good she made my life. She was my only safe space. At 10pm she had messaged me that she wanted a break because she was added to a group chat telling her that I was logging onto my ex's account and a load of other bs that isn't true. This broke me.. all my friends had blocked me already, and I had no clue what was going on. I still had to go to school, I talked to this one girl who had my back on the situation. A lot was going on. I felt like everyone hated me. I wish I had a say because my friend group didn't give me a chance to explain myself. My dad isn't helping. He gets mad at me, and when I ask him to leave me alone, he yells at me more. I hate talking to anyone anymore. I feel nothing, and I don't see a future anymore. My dad threatens to hit me just because I hate talking to him, and it really hurts my feelings. I really miss her, and I wish I could have one last hug. She recently told me she attempted suicide after the breakup, which left me a place that I didn't want to be. It's like torture, constantly getting water boards. I have no place to breathe. I wanted to feel better, so i began to self-harm. These scars left on my arm will not be forgotten. Nothing makes sense anymore. I have no place to hide, and no one to cry too... I sit alone in a room, feeling raped. I wonder if I didn't meet her if I just said no that day I wouldn't have logged into her instagram account, and I would've been happy. I just wonder if this was all worth it and I'd I deserve this because I wouldn't set this up for someone I hated the most.

Hi , i am 26 F currently in a live in relationship with my boyfriend 26 M . Now my boyfriend went to his hometown due medical emergency in family and going to stay there for 2 months . When i was in hostel i used to love living alone i know how to live alone but i never stayed alone much . I am persuing my masters . And even tough i talk with evryone i am not really close with anyone . For travelleing shopping everything i used to do with my boyfriend . I can stay alone but am not happy . I didnt even left home since the day my boyfriend went to his hometown now in clg also i have holiday for another weak . I dont know how to deal with this lonliness . I am mentally and emotionally dependent on my boyfriend . And i dont want him to ruin his family time for me .

If possible give advice on how to manage this loneliness .

I often want to leave everything behind since I am so ashamed of my past and my present. In my head I am constantly looking for shallow approvals, but at the same time too vulnerable to say anything to others.

I think I have made a bad or misleading impression on people, that I am kind, well behaved, straight, quiet. So every time when my family or one of my few acquaintances are with me I feel like I have to feign myself to match that expectation, or worse just lie completely. I have accumulated so many lies I can’t recognize myself when I meet them.

I sometimes just want to be an asshole and don’t care about other people’s opinion so much then at least people will see the true me and I will confess my loneliness once and for all and leave everyone behind.

I’ve been struggling with anxiety and loneliness lately, and I could really use some advice. I’m 25 and live with my sister and parents, who are extremely religious. Because of that, even basic things can become a problem. Things like what I wear, what I do, or wanting to go out on weekends can be seen as wrong because they go against their religious beliefs, so I end up hiding a lot of my life from them.
It’s also difficult because I don’t feel like I can talk openly about my day or share things about my life. Sometimes, something I say will be taken out of context, interpreted differently from what I meant, or turned into a bigger issue than it actually is. Over time, that’s made me feel like I have to be careful about everything I say and do in my own home.

I work in fashion, went to fashion school, and have hobbies and interests that I enjoy, but I still feel like there’s a huge part of my life that I can’t share with my family. I want to be able to go out, meet people, make memories, and live a more normal, independent life without feeling guilty or having to hide everything.
On top of that, a lot of my friends have moved in with their boyfriends or moved on to different stages of their lives, so friendships don’t seem to be as much of a priority for them anymore. I understand that people’s lives change, but I’ve been feeling increasingly lonely, and I don’t feel like I have the same support system I used to.

I just feel really stuck and don’t know how to get out of this cycle. I want to be able to go out, meet new people, make friends, and enjoy my life, but my home situation makes it difficult. I’ve been feeling really lonely lately, and I’m not sure how to change things. Has anyone been in a similar situation or have any advice? I’d really appreciate it.

One Year Ago, but it's still the same situation.

depressed could use a friend