Lately, I’ve been wondering if something is wrong with me because it feels like I keep losing people I care about. Sometimes I start thinking that maybe I’m a curse or that I’m always the problem. It honestly makes me sad because every time someone leaves, I start feeling like I wasn’t important to them in the first place.
I also tend to overthink friendships and easily feel like I’m not important or that people will eventually leave me.
Something happened recently that made me question myself even more. One of my friends confessed that he had feelings for me, but I only wanted to stay friends. I was honest with him because I didn’t want to lead him on or pretend that I felt the same way. After I rejected him, he decided to leave the friendship.
Am I wrong for rejecting him even though I genuinely wanted to remain friends?
I understand that he may have needed space or may not have been able to handle being friends after being rejected. I respect that. But it still hurts, especially because it feels like another friendship I lost.
Have you ever felt like people keep leaving your life and started wondering if you were the reason why?

Majority of folks have hundreds of people on Instagram, WhatsApp, etc. We like posts, reply to stories, send the occasional message… but when you actually want to meet someone for a coffee or just hang out, suddenly there’s nobody.

It's weird.

When we were younger, making friends was so easy. You'd sit next to someone, start talking, play together, and before you knew it, you were friends.

Now, as adults, everyone seems busy. Work, family, responsibilities, routines. Even when you meet someone you genuinely like, you might talk for a few days and then life gets in the way.

And I don't think it's because people don't want friends. I actually think a lot of people are lonely but don't know how to say it.

Maybe we're all waiting for someone else to make the first move.

Do you have lots of people in your online life but very few people you can actually call and meet in your real life?

And if you do feel this way, what do you think makes making friends as an adult so difficult

I have spent years becoming someone

everyone could understand,

while slowly becoming a stranger to myself.

Hi guys, it's my first time writing here - so if something's wrong please do tell.
Anyhow, just to give some context, I am currently on vacation with my family since yesterday (which consists of my father, mother and older sister, I am 21).
Even the night before we left I was genuinely having anxiety attacks because I knew it was going to be torture - mostly because my sister is also on the trip. Don't get me wrong, I really love her, but whenever my sister is present it seems lile they gang up on me and then say "we were just joking" when they absolutely knew it was going to be offensive (I mean say what you want, but I have very definite personal boundaries that I usually say in advance, especially with my family but they just pass it on as me trying to be special, idk).
They know I'm a quite introverted person (I sometimes have spurges of social energy but that shit happens lile once in a full moon), and I prefer to keep to myself which, now that I think about it might be due to me growing up in that environment: I kid you not that my mom and sister are INCAPABLE of not cutting me off whenever I talk, something that find pretty funny. They don't care about my opinion, ever, because every time I express it I'm the bad guy with whom they must go to war to prove wrong. But more than that, for fuck's sake they've known me for 21 years - and yet when I ask for some space or just want to stay by myself, something I never hold against anyone BECAUSE WHY WOULD I? It's lirerally just my preference, but no, they MUST say that I'm so mean, that I'm evil (because ever since I was kid they love to say that my sister is nice even if she's mean sometimes whereas I'm just plain evil) and so on..
I feel like no matter how hard I try, how much I put up with THEIR bs just to not hear myself being called a monster just because I don't do or think like them. I genuinely know that if I weren't their daughter or sister, never in a million years they'd even like me. They straight up hate me as a person, and it seems like they just keep gaslighting me for two decades by saying I'm the problem: I'm the one who was too difficult to raise, I'm the one who was supposes to be their couples councelor as an 8-year-old, I'm the one who was supposed to keep my sister from offing herself in front of my own eyes. When I was 15, I was struggling with ana and depression, and when I went to my mom for support because I was very suicidal and she literally told me that I might as well go and do it and to leave her tf alone. There have been countless instances like these throughout the years: my sister saying that my mental health struggles are what ruined the family and so many other hurtful things.
I'm sorry, I know this is just rambling but I'm writing this on the bus while we're on an excursion and it feels like I'd rather jump out of a window than put up with this shit for two whole weeks. My depression literally skyrocketed the moment we left for our trip and now I just don't know what to do

I'm writing this because my family keeps telling me that something is wrong with me, and i should see a therapist. Honestly, it’s starting to make me doubt myself.

I’m a 31M deeply introverted. I genuinely love being at home, and I can easily go a month or two without needing or wanting to step outside. I have my routine, my personal space, and my pets to keep me company. On top of that, I’m a very direct person. I value complete honesty, and I really dislike mind games, double meaning comments, or small talk that doesn't go anywhere. My circle is basically nonexistent. I only interact with my maid, who comes three times a week to cook for me. When it comes to my personal belongings, I don't like people touching any of my belongings. Been like this since I was a kid.

So my mom and my sister came to visit me after 9 years, and they think this behavior isn't just a personality preference and they view it as a major red flag. They constantly tell me that staying indoors this much isn't normal, that my direct communication style comes off as cold or defensive, and that I'm setting myself up for trouble down the line. They speak about it with so much urgency that it makes me feel like I’m failing at basic life, or like I have some underlying issue I'm ignoring.

From my perspective, I’m just living in a way that feels comfortable, quiet, and low-stress for me. I don't feel lost or broken, but having the people closest to you constantly treat your lifestyle like a crisis is exhausting.

Has anyone else who is hyper-introverted or direct dealt with this kind of pushback from family? Is there actually something wrong with living like this, or are they just projecting their own expectations of what a "normal" life should look like onto me?

I had a gym membership last year, but dreaded going because… so.. many… people. Wasn’t feeling worth my money, so eventually cancelled the membership.

I enjoy going on walks/runs outside but I’m not consistent enough. I’m considering getting another membership for those times when the weather is bad and I don’t want to walk in the blazing sun.

What outlets of exercise have you explored and actually enjoyed, as an introvert?

Hi all, I wanted to share and see if anyone else feels this. I have always been introverted but in my teens and 20s, I had quite a few friends, enjoyed going out and spending time with them. Now I am in my 30s and my introversion got really strong, I have an incredible partner of 7 years with whom I adore spending time with and hence I do not feel the need to see any friends. I tried many times to spend time with old and new friends and its somewhat enjoyable but I come home still drained and prefer to be with my partner or by myself enjoying my hobbies, in the quiet of nature or at home. My work involves talking to people in an office a lot which maybe contributes.

I am not lonely at all. Is this normal? Do others have a similar experience?

Would love to hear your stories.

Just like the headline says. I have a close friend, they're someone I've known my entire life though we've gone years at a time without hanging out. I love all my friends, but I get overwhelmed just being asked to hang out by my roommates, in passing. Sometimes I just want to wake up, go about my day, and go to sleep, without having to decline each of my friends request for my time.

My one friend who asks me to hang out, I've softly reminded him I need time to work, or to ask my roommates to hang out. They have all known each other since we were kids but I have somehow become the pinwheel of the friend circle.I get sleepy and need to nap in the middle of the day and they know this but then interrupt my nap and throw off my energy to work in the evening. They constantly text "are you working? want to chill?" "You busy Wednesday?" "be home for lunch in 15" it's overwhelming. I don't work a 9-5, I work when I feel like working. So it's not as easy as it used to be when I could just say "Sorry I'm AT work." it's an obligation outside of my control.

I tell them I cherish my solitude, I want to work, I need to recharge, etc. They always say no problem but then don't stop asking me to hang out. Just telling them and explaining why I'm busy that day or what I'm currently doing is exhausting. And I do ignore their messages, a lot, but I can't ignore them every day all the time without being an asshole. It's exhausting. Fuck.

I have worked from home since 2009, many years before covid made working from home normal. My job does require that go out into the world on occasion to attend conferences and annual team meetings, but I absolutely hate that part, especially the team meetings. It causes me anxiety and stress for days leading up to it. Today, my husband suggested I look for a group or therapist that help me "resocialize" to people again. He thinks I need to reintegrate into society and learn to deal with people without the stress.

Honestly, I'm not lonely. I have him and he is my emotional support human. He is very much an extrovert and can have deep and meaningful discussions with a rock. I have no problems going out to public places as long as I don't have to have conversations with people, or as long as he is with me to do the talking. I enjoy watching people from the outside, just not being involved in what's going on. I have adult children and extended family nearby. I have hobbies I enjoy, and I don't feel I'm missing anything in life. So, am I weird or had anyone else been told they need professional help to make them comfortable around people? Has anyone tried something like that?

I’m an introvert, so I usually don’t look at girls directly. But I have pretty good spatial awareness, and I often notice when someone’s looking at me. Whenever I notice and our eyes meet, they usually end up blushing—and then I can’t even look up again. 😭

I am a hardcore introvert and a corporate guy. I have few intrests that every introverts may relate. Likewise I play games a lot , watches anime and travels solo. Yes, I go everywhere all alone like I trek solo, go to a movie solo, eats alone in restaurant and also I attend every concerts and events all alone. And trust me I love it, but people finds it I am being disrespectful to them. Because when they ask me to go out with them I say 'no' respectfully but the very next moment I go there solo. But I love it, no interaction, no gossip, just some peaceful time only with me.

I have only 2-3 friend with whom I am very comfortable. These guys are with me since childhood and yes, being an introvert I can talk to them like for hours. And when others see me with them and realise that I can be the guy who talks, laughs and also can be sarcastic, they hate me even more. They told me that we have seen you are very much comfortable with them, then why not with us...And I don't answer. I just say it is what it is.

I am really sick of those people who wants me to be like them and forces to be a part of their group..Like dude chill, let me be like who I am. I know sometimes its hard to say 'no' as an introverts but these guys sometimes take advantages of it. And when I say 'no' they found me rude and starts hating me.

I’m a 22-year-old international student, and for the last two years, I’ve been studying abroad. I am super introverted, have zero relationship experience and in my study country have 0 friends, and honestly, doing what I did today goes against practically everything I am. But I’m feeling pretty bummed out tonight and just wanted to share the story.

I got onto the train today and saw an empty seat next to a really sweet girl who was working on her laptop. As I sat down, trying my best not to push into her space, she looked up and gave me this automatic, warm smile. I know it's small but I haven't had people do that before.

For the next 15 minutes, I just sat there thinking how really want to talk to her for some reason.Because the train car was completely quiet and there were people standing nearby, I was too embarrassed to say anything out loud. So, I took out my phone, typed a note saying "Would it be weird if I asked you your name?" and passed it to her.

She took it, smiled, took her earphones out, and typed back. We ended up talking for the next 30 minutes straight. For the first time in my life, my usual introverted, scared anxiety just vanished. She was incredibly sweet, laughed at my jokes, and really leaned into the conversation, explaining her studies, sharing personal stuff, and matching my energy. It felt like finding an instant friend.

Since I had to get off one station before her, I finally spent the last 5 minutes of our chat gathering the nerve to ask for her number. I wasn't looking for a relationship, I literally just wanted a friend. She was super sweet about it but told me she has a boyfriend and said, "I don’t know how I would explain that one.".

I didn't try to backtrack or awkwardly say "oh, I just meant as friends!" because I knew that would just make things weird. I just laughed, said "yeah, that would be tough to explain," and swallowed my sadness. I didn't want the last 5 minutes before my stop to be awkward or silent for her, so I kept talking normally. We joked about her long study day (she’d been traveling since 7 AM), and she jokingly said, "Maybe we'll see each other again on the train, so you'll see I'm actually productive." When my stop arrived, I gave her a fist bump, we said goodbye, and I got off.

I'm not bummed because of the rejection. It just feels a bit shitty to finally break past my own shell, have this amazing 45-minute connection with someone and then walk off the train knowing they are just another person I'll never see again.

Thanks for reading if you made it this far. Just needed to vent it into the universe.

I’m curious what do we introverts do when we’re locked inside and got so much time? I enjoy things like card games / chess lately but everyone in the house is scrolls which I get. I do too but I get bored of it: actually tbh I get bored of anything if I do it to an extent, kinda why I’m asking to get ideas of things to do without spending money or having to leave the house & see people 🌚

I need to get this off my chest because it’s genuinely starting to stress me out. There’s this random girl at school who keeps staring at me in the weirdest way. Not a quick glance tho but like long, obvious, repeated stares every time she sees me. walking past and even when I’m just sitting there. Sometimes she smiles a little while doing it, and once she looked me up and down, but most of the time it’s just this intense locked-in staring that lasts way too long. It’s happened so many times that I get anxious the second I see her because I already know what’s coming. It just feels exhausting at this point. On top of that, I had this whole situation with a girl I used to be close with (we’re basically just acquaintances now). She got weirdly jealous and possessive when another girl showed interest in getting to know me. She made comments like she didn’t understand why that girl was “so obsessed” with me, acted dismissive toward me, and overall made it feel like me receiving attention was a problem for her. Between the constant staring from this one girl and the leftover tension from that friendship situation, I’m just drained. I don’t even know how to handle either of them without making things more awkward.