I feel this way all the time. I work from home, and I've moved far away from close friends. My fiance doesn't have any geographically close friends either. His parents are in the next state but we aren't close to them and my mom is about an hour away. We don't have kids. I have a Clue board game that says you need at least 3 people to play and so we can't play it. It sucks having no friends but like you, I also have social anxiety. I'm sorry, I know you wish you had more people in your life, I do too. *hugs*

2 hours ago, Eternalbluepearl said:

I feel this way all the time. I work from home, and I've moved far away from close friends. My fiance doesn't have any geographically close friends either. His parents are in the next state but we aren't close to them and my mom is about an hour away. We don't have kids. I have a Clue board game that says you need at least 3 people to play and so we can't play it. It sucks having no friends but like you, I also have social anxiety. I'm sorry, I know you wish you had more people in your life, I do too. *hugs*

Do you live in Nebraska?? Because I freaking LOVE Clue and haven't been able to play it in years.

Sadly, I'm in Massachusetts. 

The biggest one is seeing people getting together for the holidays. (Or really just anytime, in general.)

Just remember, its called Fakebook for a reason. Don't buy into the hype.

I'm a little younger and single, but I know how you feel. I have always been anxious -- and depressed, which I think wasn't originally the root issue but now is -- but I've isolated myself in the last few years and it's made things much worse. I travel a lot (alone), and I do that partially to prove to myself that I can be a functional human person, which sometimes helps but sometimes just means I sleep all day in Lithuania instead of in South Carolina. 

Getting off social media definitely helps. But so does inching out of your comfort zone. You might not fit in with the mommy group, but what about something that puts less pressure on you? My public library has readings and events for really young kids and their (mostly) moms, and that could be a way to get out and have the option of meeting other parents/kids and growing relationships if it feels right, instead of you feeling self-conscious showing up as what feels like the weirdo at a mommy group.

Even though working from home is a downside in terms of social opportunities for you and your husband, at least he's around more -- your son probably doesn't feel like he's lacking social interaction with you guys both there, even if you feel it doesn't compare to your more active/involved childhood with family.

All the hugs to you.

Had to sign in and comment. I also struggle with loneliness, but unfortunately mine is self-created. I push people away and struggle with depression. One of the few things I've enjoyed is looking at Free Jinger which I probably spend too much time on, for the time I spend I should be more active! I remember your posts from your icon :-). 

Enough about me, I wish you all the best in your quest to end those feelings of loneliness. It's so tough at holiday times. I think it's important to remember that being social can look different to everyone, and small steps like @withaj suggested can help. Thank you for sharing your story.

I'm glad to hear I'm not alone in these feelings. Kind of sucks for all of us though.

We did take Henry to a toddler time at the library back in May. I was too nervous to go alone so we went when my husband had the day off. It was kind of a disaster. Henry just wanted to try to get into everyone's bags and purses! He couldn't have been less interested in the class or other kids there. It was basically just music and dancing so I thought he'd enjoy it. Nope.

But that was a while ago, so we should probably give it another shot. Thanks for reminding me. I had kind of forgotten about it.

My up vote was for you, @ClaraOswin, not 'cause I'm glad you're lonely. I've had some really lonely times over the years because of social awkwardness and depression. I can't really say that I've done anything to change how much I socialize outside of my family, but as my kids have grown up (4 & 7), I've been gradually pushed out of my comfort zone as they have gone to preschool, public school, swimming lessons, and so on. I bet you can do better than I have and not wait 5 years! Even little steps can feel pretty good. Hugs to you!

P.S. You were among the first FJ posters I could remember by name, because Dr. Who. 

You are definitely not alone.  I work from home most of the time, single with no kids, shy, socially awkward and the few good friends I have live in other states.  My parents are deceased and the holiday season really brings out feelings of loneliness.  Most times I'm fine but it hits me every now and then.  

I have had a really bad week (well a really bad year but this week was especially rough) and came across an article on a few fast ways to lesson stress. Taking steps back from social media was at the top of the list. So I finally did what I have wanted to for awhile and unfollowed a lot people from FB. I am 35 and single without kids, and I cannot take seeing the happy family photos anymore. It's just too upsetting and spirals me into a panic of "will I ever have that?" and blaming myself for not having what so many around me do.  I do know that FB is all about presenting your best self a lot of times, and that the people in those happy family photos have their own issues, still it doesn't stop the sting when I see it.  Part of me wants to just deactivate all together, however I joined several closed groups in the last few months that I'm finding helpful. Plus it is a bad habit that is hard to break.

Touching on something from your previous entry, I have RA as well, I was born with JRA, it went inactive when I was 14, and still on paper is inactive...but it's been a tough year health wise. A lot of damage was done to my knees especially when I was young and over the past year I feel like it's caught up with me. I lived for over a decade without really thinking about it, without having to explain it to anyone, and now it's reared it's ugly head again. It sucks! If even I wanted to be social right now (which I don't) it would be hard.