How do you break the cycle of isolation?

[bitofftoomuch]

I'm alone --> I'm sad and awkward to anyone I can socialize with --> I become more alone --> I become sadder and more awkward to anyone I can socialize with

How do I break out of this? I only get support like once a week from a single friend who seems fatigued by me. I don't want to lose her too. What do I do? Pretend I'm poor because I am.

 

[John8]

If there's a club or bar/place where ppl do speed/weed, they are usually friendly.
DO NOT do it if you are female and/or live in dangerous place.

Can maybe also try find some place where ppl come to play board games and cards,

Maybe some job like kitchen? (those can be stressful tho, never tried it, maybe some with exp can share their thoughts)

 

[bitofftoomuch]

DO NOT do it if you are female and/or live in dangerous place.

well that rules it out

 

[-Link-]

Does it have to be face-to-face socialization? What about online platforms like this one? Who better to understand "sad and socially awkward" than other people who are sad and socially awkward. The downside, of course, is that such people (myself included) tend to bring less stability to personal relationships and you can get burned all the same. And you'll need more than just each other's mental states in common to keep a connection going.

For in-person connections, I'd look at local support groups for a topic that applies to you and see if there's anybody else attending you might be able to connect with. Again, for people who have issues with social awkwardness (and maybe trust issues with people in general), I think it can be helpful to build upon a foundation of mutual vulnerability.

 

[HeadTikker]

It is hard if you don't have the social skills by the time you break into adulthood. I think any kind of deep interest thing will weed out the unrelatable normies and give you a better experience.

 

[Innereye]

Depends on the environment you feel best in. first you need to know what you want, (which can be the hardest part)

We're often attracted to dynamics we're familiar with, however, this can be a maladaptive process when familiar = painful (hence the cycle of withdrawal)

Finding a balance is tricky but not impossible.