Struggling as an Introvert: Anyone Else Feeling Lonely and Finding It Hard to Make Friends?
- Thread starter marc16
- Start date
cherylpiops19
New member
I am not hugely introverted but my friends are always the first to initiate the friendship or we were thrown together (former colleagues for example). Still have no idea how to make friends and I am close to retiring!
Some days I feel like chatting at the school gates, some days I don't. But I am lucky to have a few best friends who I can have the girl chats with. Do your children have a best friend at school? Maybe start there, go for a playdate with their mum and children in holidays or invite round for a cuppa whilst the kids have a play after school one afternoon? Remember, you don't have to have someone that you speak to everyday, just someone to chat over life with when you feel like you need it! Xx
@chris4040 I love animals they are my calm space. Honestly people look at me so weird when I go to farms and I'm stroking the animals and holding a one way convo
but I can't talk to people 
but I can't talk to people I have anxiety and panic attacks so I know how difficult it is, I don't have enough energy to do loads of things. It's horrible on the school run because you see loads of mums stood together laughing like they have known each other for ever, it does get lonely, I talk to myself but that doesn't help my anxiety
onlinestores
New member
I'm not sure if anyone else has mentioned it, but have you thought about volunteering in a charity shop? I'm sorry to hear you're feeling lonely, I hope you find a solution x
@onlinestores I couldn't serve anyone
onlinestores
New member
@marc16 you don't have to, to start with... My son worked at Cats Protection for 2 years, just out the back sorting the stock etc., you can go at your own pace, plus you can just do 2 hours a day once a week, or as many days, hours as you want! He now volunteers for a place that has a cafe behind the charity shop, he goes out in the van delivering and collecting furniture, he makes the odd cuppa tea in the cafe, (he can't work the coffee machine as yet) but at the start he was in the warehouse, he's very rarely out on the shop floor serving people. It's a nice way to slowly introduce yourself to new people xx
Do your kids do any after school activities? I found it easier to make friends there than on the playground!
What about a little job? You wouldn’t have to serve people in every job?
Do you have any hobbies? Could join a group?
Do you have a dog? Could make friends out walking, at dog training etc?
Does your husband have any friends, could you befriend via them?
Do you have any family that you can socialise with? A cousin and their group perhaps?
Could you join interest specific online groups? And the friendships grow from online to real life?
What about a little job? You wouldn’t have to serve people in every job?
Do you have any hobbies? Could join a group?
Do you have a dog? Could make friends out walking, at dog training etc?
Does your husband have any friends, could you befriend via them?
Do you have any family that you can socialise with? A cousin and their group perhaps?
Could you join interest specific online groups? And the friendships grow from online to real life?
@healing they do swimming lessons which you might get small talk if you are lucky.
I just can't find a job suitable for me that goes round my kids school and nursery hours.
Hobbies I'm interested always out of school hours unfortunately.
Yes have a dog because of the breed he is everyone avoids us
Yes husband has couple of work mates but not the type they want another female around they have enough with their partners at home
My family are awful less time I spend with then the better.
It's finding a group like this one with so many nice people. Iv been on loads of mums groups and they are awful
I just can't find a job suitable for me that goes round my kids school and nursery hours.
Hobbies I'm interested always out of school hours unfortunately.
Yes have a dog because of the breed he is everyone avoids us
Yes husband has couple of work mates but not the type they want another female around they have enough with their partners at home
My family are awful less time I spend with then the better.
It's finding a group like this one with so many nice people. Iv been on loads of mums groups and they are awful
@marc16 what about working in school? Dinner lady?
It started as small talk with my sons football, now a group of us socialise which is lovely
Can you double date? Go out for dinner or anything with your husbands friends and their partners? Meet up to watch a sports event? We often go out with friends. My husband relocated 130 miles to live with me and he made friends with a friends brother and a friends husband before he made his own through work etc.
I think hobby and support groups tend to be more friendly than mum groups. I’m actually going to London tomorrow to meet a friend I’ve had for a few years that I met through an online support group! My husband admins a Facebook group and he’s met lots of people that collect what he does
Anxiety meme groups or support groups? What hobbies do you have? Any relating groups you can join?
It started as small talk with my sons football, now a group of us socialise which is lovely
Can you double date? Go out for dinner or anything with your husbands friends and their partners? Meet up to watch a sports event? We often go out with friends. My husband relocated 130 miles to live with me and he made friends with a friends brother and a friends husband before he made his own through work etc.
I think hobby and support groups tend to be more friendly than mum groups. I’m actually going to London tomorrow to meet a friend I’ve had for a few years that I met through an online support group! My husband admins a Facebook group and he’s met lots of people that collect what he does
Anxiety meme groups or support groups? What hobbies do you have? Any relating groups you can join?
kerrirebecca
New member
How much free time do you have with/without kids? Is there a WhatsApp group for the classes they are in? Maybe one day when you're feeling brave ask if anyone fancies a trip to the park or go for a coffee after the school Run?
Join the pta?
Attend a local community group In your area or enquire usually they are all volunteers so understand other commitments.
Have a look at your. Local. Church!/community centre/leisure centre/arts places. There may be a choir / knitting group/ zumba class /painting workshop all potential places and be honest.. Like hi I'm new and a bit shy can I join?
Join a sports club of some sort where the focus is on the activity and small talk can be made I between?
Ask On your Local Community page.
I think you will get out what you put in. Good Luck xx
Join the pta?
Attend a local community group In your area or enquire usually they are all volunteers so understand other commitments.
Have a look at your. Local. Church!/community centre/leisure centre/arts places. There may be a choir / knitting group/ zumba class /painting workshop all potential places and be honest.. Like hi I'm new and a bit shy can I join?
Join a sports club of some sort where the focus is on the activity and small talk can be made I between?
Ask On your Local Community page.
I think you will get out what you put in. Good Luck xx