I’ve been thinking about writing this for ages but I didn’t really know how to do it. It’s something I’ve talked about on my radio show a few times and I know it touched a number of you because after almost every live show I’ve done since, at least one soul has come up to me and said they were also feeling the same way.
Ah dammit. I’ll just come out and say it.
I’m lonely.
Partly through design and partly through circumstance, I don’t have many friends. Three really good ones and a couple on the periphery. Ot of the three, I work with one of them and the other two I see very rarely. One lives in Bristol, the other in East London. I moved out of London several years ago, but even when I did live there we saw each other less and less frequently. Like I say, it’s partly through life that we don’t see each other but also because I am just so useless at maintaining friendships that we grow apart. I honestly find the juggling of work and friendships and LIFE like spinning plates, it looks easy on the telly but it’s so bloody hard.
Admittedly I have pushed a lot of people away from me. Selfishness, shyness, work, awkwardness, depression, being a dick to people – all of these things have isolated me. And don’t get me wrong, I do often enjoy my own company. I could go as far as to say I PREFER my own company, but that doesn’t mean I feel waves of deadening loneliness at times.
I have joy in my life. My kids being the obvious sources of that. But there’s just this weight, this hole, this emptiness in my soul that means I feel alone and I feel lonely so much of the fucking time.I really don’t know how to combat that. I’m not going to go to clubs, or take up a hobby, the two suggestions most often made to the lonely. Even if I wanted to, which I don’t, I wouldn’t know how to strike up a friendship with someone who has similar interests as me. Can a 44 year old man even make friends? It seems a little late.
I envy those who have religion because I would imagine it’s harder to feel lonely if you have a god living in/with you. There’s always someone you can tap up for a slightly one sided chat. I don’t have that. I’m terrified of the phone. Face to face conversations leave me full of dread as I try to think what the next line of chat should be rather than listening and replying naturally.
Why am I writing this? I don’t know. Not looking for sympathy of phone numbers or offers to go to the pub. I guess I’m hoping this will strike a chord in a similar way as my blog about depression a couple of years ago. You don’t have to let me know you get it, it’s all cool. But I do worry that in this age of technology and social media, it is becoming very easy to fall off the radar a bit and I suspect that more and more people who look great and happy and confident on the outside are also feeling more and more lonely and less connect with the world.
I identify entirely with this – i find Social Media friendships hollow, but struggle to make “real” connections – thank you for putting it in to words
I feel exactly the same. I actually push my friends and family away all the time.
I do not like visitors coming over.
If it wasn’t for my young daughter..I doubt I would ever go out or get out of bed
May I offer that I don’t think friends expect as much from you as you think you need to give?
Most of the world is lonely
Just most people are better actors.
I have learnt to make me happy
Instead of running around making sure everyone else is happy.
My husband is always on at me to stop taking on other people’s problems.
Well I am getting there slowly…….
Your too honest haha……
A curse Iain I know
You are who you are which as far as I can see is a honest caring funny entertaining man, yes sometimes grumpy, aren’t we all
None of us are perfect
Try and enjoy every day making yourself happy because there is only you that can do that
Wow. Thank you.
Your story of your life ring so true, your words are what iv been living and feeling for most of my life,. Now after all the battling, pretend laughter and the struggling iv reach 60 and to tired now to look to change or worry about who to please. Thank you for sharing…..
I totally get this . I’ve always found maintaining friendships hard . Especially since having to give up my job due to illness.
Social media doesn’t make up for having real friends.
Its an endless circle so hard to get out of .
I felt as if I was reading a story about me. I am 43 and I thought that I would have gotten better at the “friendship” thing after all these years, but I never have. I’m strange, I get that. I watch the normality of the world pass by my window and I’m left wondering if things would have been different if I had just given into being normal. My heart sinks further into sadness thinking that I would have to give up who I am for a just a few hours of happiness. Then I wondered if people just pretend to be happy they forgot to give me the memo. Loneliness is the driving force behind creativity so it does have its perks.
It seems everybody is lonely , with child or without , it’s a lonely planet. You may be sorrounded with lots of people but still feel lonely, wich is awful,It’s depressing.
Thanks Iain thanks for writing this I feel alone don’t have a lot of friends never met a special someone mum and dad are gone as are all my relatives the older you get the worse I feel thanks again Iain
Good piece, all this tech doesn’t help. Even with God in my life I still agree, the bible is a book all should read, yet the road to the true God is lined with hypocrites. I have very few friends, but they are good friends, many aquatints, & at 50 to realize ones bros & sis are no more than siblings at the very most!!! My best friend, when I get to see him & his lovely family, helps me to laugh at myself & all the sick/wrong things we endure. You only find out your true friends when you hit bottom, one good friend is everything, a shit load of aquatints is nothing. Stay in touch with your good friends they are gold. Are men more loners than women?
Good piece, all this tech doesn’t help. Even with God in my life I still agree, the bible is a book all should read, yet the road to the true God is lined with hypocrites. I have very few friends, but they are good friends, many aquatints, & at 50 to realize ones bros & sis are no more than siblings at the very most!!! My best friend, when I get to see him & his lovely family, helps me to laugh at myself & all the sick/wrong things we endure. You only find out your true friends when you hit bottom, one good friend is everything, a shit load of aquatints is nothing. Stay in touch with your good friends they are gold. Are men more loners than women?
Having had social anxiety all my life as well as depression and anxiety, life can be hard to maintain. I cannot seem to have friendships, work and live, it is all too much. I tried online dating to combat loneliness but the experience was awful and it caused me to have a breakdown. Now at 46, I accept that loneliness is a part of my life.
Being 44 myself & doing many of the same things as you have done I’m in pretty much the same boat.
Between work & children everything else gets pushed aside.
“Modern life makes us rubbish”.
I have a really sociable job where I interact with loads of people all day, so much so I end up craving a bit of solitude at times.
What’s wierd is I very seldom feel lonely when I’m on my own, in fact I quite enjoy it, but put me in a big group of people at an event or do & it can be crushing.
You end up faking it to make it, say something twatish or go for the no.1 self defence mode humour & your back at school being the class clown!
I’m not sure making friends & adding people to your life is the answer. Maybe it’s finding your place in life where you can find some peace & balance. The constant inner conflict of attention in one area dertacting from another. We create constant states of tension & then feel guilt & disappointment looking at ways to keep all the plates spinning & everyone happy.
I’m sure it’s a really common problem & I think it’s largely down to the fact that the world has changed more rapidly than human beings can evolve & we’ve got a lot of catching up to do.
I think we’ve all jumped on the wrong train , need to get off at the next stop, check the map & choose a new route.
I don’t know if any of that the rambling mess made sense but Peace & Love.
Great stuff Iain. I was litrally talking to my therapist this week about how I struggle with maintaining relationships and friendships. I am successful in my career but I said that I am not successful at life. He said what defines success in life, to which I said my relationships with people. They are few and far between, they are short lived, they can be fractious, forced and faked. I’m also in Recovery and can find those relationships can be intensely intimate and then die out / find that they aren’t people who I actually have much in common / connection with. I make the effort even though I know that I have nothing in common with these people. I have always been like it, as a kid I was popular but I would wander around the playground, never getting close, in clubs I would just be the clown / heavy drinker, disappear and wander rather than connect with people. But I do have a few close people that I connect with. It’s not the size of the group it’s the quality, that doesn’t help when you’re in that place though. If you’ve ever in the area I take he Shepprton meeting on a Monday night. Would be good to see you / meet you. Take care Iain.
People say you must be lonely. No. I’m alone but I’m not lonely.
Dear Iain, i never write on things like this! I really felt for you today. Matthew was a git. It’s up to you when and how you choose to share your personal life. Much of what you have said has struck a chord with me and I really believe you could make a huge difference by saying it. When you are ready. Sharing your experience definitely enables others to feel more normalised. However, you should never been an obligation to do this. Stay strong. Thinking of you. X
It’s never too late to make friends. Finding someone worth investing in that is hard though. F2F chat is hard but if you’re ever lonely you can email the Samaritans (you don’t gave to be suicidal). Or write on this blog about what’s happening, no need to publish it live. I may be out of turn, but im 40yr old and only recently discovered I have aspergers, have you ever considered it? Helped me understand how I find F2F such an ordeal! I get less lonely the more I’m at peace with myself. Be kind to yourself, hope you find it. Thank you for sharing, probably one of the only upsides to ‘celebrity’ is by opening up you help others. It is appreciated x
It truly does feel like a huge hole. I’m lonely too. For most of the same reasons that you seem to be. I’ve forgotten who I am. It’s enlightening to see it put into words. Spot on.
Hi Iain
Thank you for writing this. This is how I feel most of the time and I don’t have any beautiful children to bring me joy (my daughter died as a baby) or a job or many friends and recently my relationship also broke down so I feel more isolated than ever. I have many interests and I seek out things to watch and read that make me laugh and sometimes cry …..anything to get some form of emotion going really.
And I do love animals they do make me happy.
Like you say I am good at being in my own company and I too have pushed people away in the past for various reasons and yes just life really.
This piece you have written has really rung true for me and it makes me feel less like I’m some sad bastard, a victim of my own circumstances which deep down I know I’m not.
How do you make friends at 44? For me I’m 45. It’s the same. Other than idle chitchat in the supermarket or joining in with things on Twitter the only other person I regularly communicate with is my Mum! Yet in the past my life was very different with lots of friends and social activities. Somewhere life just took a bad turn.
I don’t know how things will go forward but I hope they are better than how they are now. Loneliness is such a cruel hard feeling.
Love
Natasha
I feel the same as you. Never had many friends, only 1 or 2 at school who then went off with others, so again I was left alone. Same with my family. I have 2 sisters, I’m the middle one. They used to tease and bully me. I felt left out all the time. Ran away from home when I was about 7, gone for a couple of hours, but my older sister found me, told me “Get home now, Mum’s worried”… not hugs and where have you been. Same when I got home, my Mum didn’t seem to care. Felt abandoned, tried to end my life at 11. Cutting my wrist with a screw I found on the floor… tried but failed. My older sister came into the bedroom moaning my Mum was calling me for dinner and she was getting mad!
Never really made friends at work, I always thought I was strange.
Never had many boyfriends… one long term relationship, 20 years.. he slept with both my sisters!! Felt abandoned again. Tried to kill myself while on holiday in Cyprus. .jumped a cliff at about 2 am. Landed in seaweed.. the sea was out! So I failed again! ! Again, strange, but my older sister found me again. No hugs, where have you been.. at that time I didn’t know she’d slept with my ex..
Shit life, but I’m still here so I must be a surviver then.
I’d rather be alone now. Got my rescue Pug Hugo to love. Only thing I’ve loved.
Take care mister
Oh Lisa that’s awful, what’s worse bitchy sisters or cheating bfs.
Sorry about your suicide attempts. Medication helps though. Love pugs but prefer my chihuahua x jack Russell 🙂
Oh Lisa that’s awful, what’s worse bitchy sisters or cheating bfs.
Sorry about your suicide attempts. Medication helps though. Love pugs but prefer my chihuahua x jack Russell 🙂
Also want to add that society as a whole don’t physically interact with each other like they used to especially over 40s and being more isolated obviously affects self esteem. Eventually ww get lazy and we don’t want to go out because we can order in anything we want
watch, read and chat on the phone. And if like me you enjoy your own company why bother go out an ‘socialize’?
I do have 1or 2 friends and 2 or 3 family members I could chat to if I need to.
Iain I think you’re so super confident and intelligent and very lovely that people could be intimidated by you…just saying. You think you’re pushing people away but your friends could be insecure about themselves and intimidated by your fame
And you’re a Capricorn!
If i could offer any useful advice, it would involve Radiant Silvergun.
Thank you Iain, for putting in words how I too feel. As a sixtytwo year old, it now feels like impending doom. I have my older husband, I only have 3 real friends – all much older than myself – and the prospect that they will all go and leave me floundering is quite overwhelming at times….Bless you Iain, ýou really are a shining star.
I so understand this Iain I experience loneliness too I find socialising very hard and as someone who has a disability too its hard and mindnumbingly difficult there have been days when I just want my own company but other days when I wish I had friends or more friends than I did thats why I enjoy my online friends more. Im not a sad person with her cat but someone who would just love being with a companion. I have lots of interests and very smart and assertive I haven’t found anyone to share my passions with its so difficult.
Everything you experience resonates with me I know how difficult and I care too that its hard for us both to handle it but we get by dont we in struggling ways.
This is me. Divorced. 2 wonderful kids. Friends that are all married. Friends that feel awkward inviting a 44 year old fella to things. Its tough. And upsetting. But I have my kids and a job I love. Not quite enough though.
I totally identify with this Iain. I’m 48, married, I have a decent job, I get on fine with my colleagues, but I’m so lonely sometimes.
I have no family, apart from my wife of course. No siblings, parents both dead, one uncle that lives 500 miles away. But worst of all, I have no friends.
I don’t know why. I had friends 25 years ago, but then I moved to London from Glasgow and never really worked out how to make new ones.
I chat with my colleagues but could never talk to them about my feelings or anything serious like that. I talk to my wife obviously, but some things you just don’t want to share with your other half. I suffer with anxiety and that doesn’t help with making friends.
I either do things with my wife or do things alone. I’d love to have a mate I could share things with, go to gigs, go to the pub…. It’d be brilliant just to have someone I could confide in.
I’ve kinda resigned myself to never making any friends now.
I don’t know what I’m trying to say. Just that you’re not alone fella. There’s loads of us out there in the same kind of situation. I’m sending you good thoughts and positive vibes man.
Look after yourself x
Your comment really touched me. You sound such a nice man. I hope you find contentment soon. I understand all these feelings also
So many of us, alone & lost
Yep, I feel this. Recently relapsed & now miss the AA community. Miss my drinking friends who I let go when I got sober 3 years ago. I don’t belong anywhere now, really. I do feel like I could disappear and few would be any the wiser.
Totally get this. I never really had friends at school. Some were only friends with me when it suited them. Didn’t make any friends at uni just acquaintances who I don’t speak to now at all. I don’t even think I can say I have any friends at work I just can’t seem to make them at all. I am married and have great kids but I don’t think I’ve ever felt lonelier. My partner is great and essentially is my only friend but sometimes I wish I had more. I sometimes wonder if I might be on the autism spectrum because I find socialising so hard and draining.
Oh gosh. Totally get this. We are similar in the sense we are perceived as extroverts and therefore people assume we must have loads of friends and a hectic social life. Couldn’t be further from the truth. I am replying to this from a cafe where I am the only one sitting on my own. Yet again. In my case my social anxiety has got worse with age. I have 2 or 3 old friends from years ago. But like yourself, these guys have either moved on or have busy family lives. For many years now, as empty weekends stretch out before me, I have thought about plans. I’ll join the WI (yes really!), I’ll play tennis, I’ll join those meetup groups you get on the Web. Not done any of it. I actually work in an environment where I probably could make some friends, but if an arrangement is made, my anxiety goes into free fall and the dread and fear is unbearable. So I cancel. Not dated in 17 years, the thought terrifies me. But I would like to meet someone special, but how to do it? Or just make a new friend. Done lots of therapies over the years, meditation, cbt, hypnotherapy. They have helped, but the problem remains. Social media doesn’t help. You’re stuck inside while your virtual friends go on holiday, lark about, have fun. You follow people such as yourself on twitter and convince yourself they are your friends. A like makes you happy and a retweet makes you giddy. For a short while. But more often or not you get no response. And that makes you sad. I’ve never really spoken openly about any of this outside of my family. So thanks for highlighting this issue and being honest. This subject, I’m sure, will connect with many.
Hi evie, well I noticed your comment and you sound lovely. I used to have loads of pals but now in late 30s everyone busy with kids, so I hang out mostly with my husband. I connect more on what’s app than in real life with anyone, it’s sad
Thank you Iain for sharing your thoughts out loud. We usually hear about lonliness involving older folks and that in itself makes me sad because i feel even more of a loser, freak, whatever, not really having any friends or family to speak of that im close too at 47 years old. I have an interest in running for example, go to a club, you make small talk with people then everyone goes their separate ways back home to family,partners where i just go home. Dont get me wrong i like my own company and maybe prefer animal best friends but sometimes would be nice to have another human ask how was your day? I dont have the answer for the emptiness to go, but its good to hear there are other people out there similar age with similar thoughts. Thanks again Iain for writing this. x
I identify too. I am very fortunate to have wonderful friendships but my recent relationship breakdown at the age of 36 has been tough… although I felt equally lonely within the relationship to be honest. I’m at the age where I have to accept that I’m unlikely now to have children and that hurts… it’s like a loneliness created by a premonition of loneliness in some ways… if that makes sense. I love connecting with people but have no patience with superficial connections which makes me socially awkward too! The thought of dating again is also pretty horrendous.
I like that you have expressed the paradox of loneliness so well. You feel lonely but are apathetic when it comes to maintaining and nurturing friendships.
I have come to accept two contrasting opinions on my own approach to friendship/loneliness.
The first is that I cannot maintain a friendship (and I don’t maintain friendships) that require something I cannot give.
The second is that I’ll be friendly with people I meet until proven otherwise.
My hobbies and interests are such that I’ll never meet a BFF or have a tight friendship group. I also think everyone feels the same way, and I don’t need to stress of making people like me.
I love podcasts because you can find people with the same interests
Sorry to hear this, loneliness can be pretty painful. It’s a bit like a numb emptiness you can’t really place. There’s keeping busy but then after you stop to rest, it kind of reverts back to feeling miserable and empty again.
People always suggest taking up hobbies but as an adult that’s extremely hard, so not exactly a helpful suggestion.
I don’t often comment on blogposts but this really hit home for me.
I have five friends (only two are local, one lives in Buckinghamshire whilst I’m in Sussex and the other two are even further away). I’m single so don’t even have a partner I can speak to.
There’s work colleagues at the office but theyre all about 21 and seem to like drinking, sports and clubbing and I’m teetotal and like video games. They’re nice enough but I’m the (slightly) older boring, woman so they don’t often invite me to things.
I enjoy being alone but sometimes…it feels a little like I’m completely isolated.
Sometimes it would be nice just to have a friend or even an acquaintance just to talk to.
Take care of yourself, You’re a good guy x
Iain, thank you for this amazingly thoughtful and honest piece. As with other people who have commented, it chimed with me too. I really struggle with people and to be honest, I’m at an age where I’ve given up on humanity more generally. Very best wishes, Paolo
Hi Iain,
That’s so how I feel but didn’t know how to articulate it. I have lots going on too a good job 2 lovely kids and a loving partner. But there is that loneliness inside. It’s part of the social shyness/awkwardness I have. I am a Irish immigrant and live in Essex, always have this yearning to go back to Ireland to live, but know in my sole that that won’t make me any less lonely. Just wanted to say I know how ya feel. It’s so refreshing for me to hear someone come out and say they are lonely. Especially a person like you who talks on the radio! The last person you would expect to be shy or lonely. I enjoyed so much watching you in the jungle and so disappointed you didn’t win. But of course over the moon for the lovely Toff. Anyway thanks for being so honest! You inspire me to do the same. Bye ????
I feel the same. ????
I went through a very awkward stage last year of buying a spare ticket for every event. Gigs, plays etc. “I’m find someone to take” the truth is I can’t. For all the reasons your state, and a couple of extra thrown in, I don’t have anyone I can phone up out of the blue.
As a result I didn’t go to these things rather than having my loneliness made public. (Even if I’m the only one to know it)
This is inescapable now. Children grown up. I’m focusing instead on just trying to do fun things, even if it means doing them on my own. Am not giving up just yet. But it is awkward to make new friends at 50
Sounds all too familiar. Might seem a bit tangential but have you tried parkrun? Gets you out of the house regularly, opportunity for a chat and a cuppa if you fancy it, but you can just bugger off straight after if you’re not in the mood too, no strings attached. I realise it’s a bit close to the ‘hobby’ suggestion, but the absence of any actual commitment (other than to yourself) and not feeling you ‘have’ to connect or risk letting someone down is an important distinction. I’ve found it dead useful as a way of reconnecting and feeling like a functioning cog in a community again.
Hi Iain.
I know I will sound like yet another guy that says “hey, that is so me.” But it really is me. But we have to make the most of the rare times when we don’t feel lonely. As they get get less frequent as we get older.
Loneliness sucks. I should know.
P.S. I love the show. Who doesn’t?
I love my own company. But I’m also conscious that I have not maintained friendships and somehow I’m losing out. I have a couple of close friends but would love a wider friendship circle. Anxiety and introversion means I find that difficult. An interesting read that means I feel less lonely in my loneliness.
Iain
You’re a wonderful human being for sharing such hard feelings to deal with. I know you don’t want sympathy and you’re writing to help others. It really struck a chord with me.
I think we all go in and out of phases of this emptiness. It’s nice to know you’re not alone and not some kind of freak for feeling this way. Stay strong big fella ????????????
I know how you feel. I am a single parent to 3 kids, one has left home and one has autism. I only have one brother who lives far away and I never see and I only have one friend but she has a full time job and a full time relationship.. my parents are elderly so my relationship with them is more as a carer than daughter….life sucks!
Your wife and kids are your best friends..
I don’t think you know real loneliness at all.
Everyone is entitled to an opinion Michael. But how can you know how Iain (or anyone else for that matter) feels and what is going on in his personal life.
You have described exactly how I feel. Exactly. Had a group of friends at school who all faded away when the university years started. None of them kept in contact with me. Made friends in my jobs but as soon as they suggest socialising outside of work I make excuses as I can’t face it. I push everyone away. Up until last year I had one close mate, and even him I haven’t seen since last August now. I have a wife and 2 cats that I love but I’m lonely. So very lonely. I’m 42, moving to a new town on Monday 300 miles from where I’ve lived forever. How the heck can I make new friends?
Yeah this hits home with me too. 43 years old, 3 gorgeous kids, lovely wife but not really any few friends. Sometimes you just want to call a mate and go watch a movie or go for a drink..but it never happens.
Not sure what the answer is and it does certainly feel too late in the day to do something about it..love my own company, but not always..chin up mate. Great show.
Iain, Heart felt post but please remember that “TV’s Iain Lee” totally smashed TV comedy !!! You and your cohorts were absolute f*cking legends and nobody can ever take that away from you. I’d love to see an “11 O’Clock Show” for 2018 !!! and guessing i’m not alone in that !! We are the same age. There’s plenty more life left for both of us ! Stay strong. You are appreciated and respected !!!!
Strikes a chord with me! I’m also terrified of the phone and only slightly less fearful of face-to-face conversation. Aged 56, I’m now able to relax and chat with two (old) friends, but it took a long long time. My early 40s were particularly devoid of friendly contact. But Internet forums gave me freedom to have banter from the safety of not being actually seen or heard. And I did an Alpha course in 2005, and made genuine new friends. Yes, it is a Christian 10-week programme, but in our case, anyone was welcome and the connection with people felt real. I guess any ‘small group’ set-up where one feels free to be authentic and appreciated would do the trick. Maybe.
Yep, all sounds very familiar. I’ve lost quite a few friends over the years for a variety of reasons much the same as yours. I’ve never really had a large group of close friends, just different friends dotted around from work, uni ect. But only a few really close friends. I had a decent social life and always had someone to turn to. Over the past couple of years life hasn’t been great which has led to depression, Iisolated myself from social activities and my closest friends just seemed to stop inviting me places, picking up the phone or getting in touch.
I now find myself at 42 lonely, like you I really enjoy my own company, I don’t have children but I have a dog who is my absolute world, animals can be such a remedy for loneliness. I never expected to find myself in this situation and most of the time I don’t let it dominate my thoughts, I go to gym, walk the dog, look after others in my job and keep myself busy, but it there’s no escaping the eventual feelings of loneliness, especially when something good happens and you’ve no one to share it with, or worse when something shit happens and you need a friend, or you just want to plan an activity that you’re not going to feel like a saddo doing alone.
I guess I don’t have any advice but what I will say is the absence of friends in your life isn’t matched to your worth, It’s just unfortunate circumstances.
Thanks for being so honest and sharing it’s always reassuring to know you’re not alone in your loneliness.
Stop pushing people away. Friendships aren’t about zero tolerance policies. They are about understanding that everyone has insecurities and problems just like you. Be vulnerable together.
Thank you for sharing this with us Iain. I too identify with this. I don’t like talking on the phone. I struggle with face to face conversations, with knowing what to say next. I wonder now, if people want to listen to me anyway. A conversation is a two-way thing. It seems to me that too many people want to be listened to, and not hear what other people have to say.
My best friend, of nearly 30 years, we have stopped talking to each other. We still have the same interests, and we would chat about them regularly, even though we live a two hour drive away from each other, and a couple of years ago it was a five hour drive. We also used to sound off to each other about the stressful stuff in our lives. He would complain to me about his dad, his brothers and sister, his partner and her son. I would complain to him about my mother in law and my step-daughters. I thought he understood this, that it was just a mutual sounding off, and neither of us were expecting any advice from each other, though we would give advice if we could. Then recently he said he didn’t want to hear me complain anymore. Perhaps something changed in his life, though he hasn’t mentioned it. Now we only wish each other happy birthday, and happy Christmas, and exchange cards.
I have moved house and town a few times in recent years. For financial reasons, not for choice. The other friends I used to have, work mates and ex workmates, are now acquaintances and we exchange Christmas cards and the occasional email. I get on ok with my new workmates. I don’t make friends easily though. I am not a lad’s lad. I am not a football fan, though I can get some enjoyment out of watching a match. I don’t enjoy competitive video games. My wife tells me: if you want to go out for a drink with your workmates, please do so. I used to drink socially and I still do, occasionally. Though now I don’t enjoy the taste of alcohol enough to say: I fancy a pint. I prefer a strong cup of tea.
I do enjoy my own company. My wife is my best friend.
My belief is that many of us find it difficult to conduct ‘normal’, happy lives and to make and cultivate friendships because of our mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, bi-polar etc. These are all fraught with a long list of symptoms which all contribute to our inability to conduct ‘normal’, happy lives/relationships. We constantly have to live with these symptoms, which I believe makes us strong, resilient people (not weak and pathetic) as some would have us believe (and some of us trick ourselves into believing it too!!). The first thing to remind yourself is that it is NOT your fault. So, please try to stop beating yourself up. I do it too!
Living with symptoms like: Persistent sad, anxious or “empty” mood. Feelings of hopelessness, pessimism. Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, helplessness. Loss of interest, pleasure in hobbies, and activities. Decreasing energy-fatigue, feeling slowed down. Difficulty concentrating, remembering, making decisions. Insomnia, early morning awakening or oversleeping. Low appetite, weight loss or overeating and weight gain. Thoughts of death, suicide, suicide attempts. Restlessness, irritability. Persistent physical symptoms, such as headaches, digestive disorders and pain for which no other cause can be diagnosed.
How the hell can we be expected to live normal, happy, contented lives, socialise and maintain friendships while living and dealing with all of this!!!
I’m in a similar position to you Iain, and others. I suffer from major depression and anxiety. I have no job. Can’t hold a job down because I can’t cope with too much pressure AND when I try to talk to bosses or work colleagues about my illness, they look at me and treat me like I have two heads! I’ve never been married, haven’t been in a relationship for years (because I don’t really like myself and feel I’m not attractive or worthy enough to be loved), have no kids and most days are a struggle. My coping mechanisms are often sleeping or drinking when I feel at my lowest.
About a year ago I had to move to a country town because I was bullied out of my last job and couldn’t afford the rental prices in the city….I share a house now, and when I moved here I didn’t know anyone. It took about 8 months living here to summon up enough courage to start a Facebook group for women who live in the area. We’ve met twice now, for drinks and dinner and have another outing coming up. My advice would be to keep reminding yourself that it’s NOT your fault, you can’t help it if you have a mental illness. Take baby steps. Don’t overwhelm yourself. I have 3 new friends now because I hopped onto FB, started a small group and met them for drinks. I was nervous, but felt I had to push through the nerves to make progress.
We beat ourselves up and we shouldn’t. Try to love yourselves for the beautiful, amazing, caring, loving people that you are. Put your energies into trying to get well. Seek out professional help if you need to…the best place to start is with your GP. Be pro-active in researching ways you can help yourself, with diet, rest, exercise and you should try to connect with others (like we are here), so you know you’re not alone.
May I suggest a YouTube video “Depression What to do When Nothing Works” by Lilias Ahmeira.
Good luck Iain and everyone. I wish you all the best for the future.
P.S. I love your show Iain.
I feel like Iain is my virtual friend as well. I really look forward to the show as it is so relaxed and informal that it really is like having your mates round for a chat! It really does help to ease the loneliness for me at least. I sometimes listen to other radio stations (like radio 4 and 4 extra) but they are more like “programmes to watch”, Iain’s show is like having friends! Still wish I had someone to go to the pub with and stuff.
I am like you Billy
Absolutely nothing wrong with a small, intimate wedding. It’s the quality of people….not the quantity that counts. I would be in exactly the same position if I got married. I would only have immediate family to invite. Marry her Billy.
That wise philosopher John Lennon once said “Being honest doesn’t get you many friends, but it gets you the tight ones”. I try to be honest and I also try to be REAL, not many people are comfortable with that and would rather ‘pretend’. Let them, I say. Iain, you have to be one of the most honest and real people I know (as much as I know you from the radio and being interviewed by you several times). I’m sorry you feel lonely. I live alone and have no life partner (divorced after 22 years) by choice… not my choice(or maybe it is?) but the hundreds of females I’ve met. Consequently I sometimes feel alone, but I do not feel lonely. I think they are different. I don’t know where I’m going with this, but I wanted to try to say something useful. You hever know, it might resonate with someone, like your comments do with others. I like you Iain, and miss you very much at 3CR. I don’t listen to it any more.
Well put Iain Lee I feel the same tho in my 60’s it’s not getting any better. I would use the word isolated rather than lonely, in my case, as I am fine with my own company up to a point. No job, few friends (if any), background health issues, “lost” my mother to dementia tho she is still alive at present, no pets, had one friend alot younger who recently hung himself. One neighbour moved out and another dropped dead. Best thing for me is probably the radio but it is so often the Bradio (Brexit/radio) which has to go off, so over the Brexit debate long past caring about that but it is ruining telly and radio. One of the best things for me is your show so I hope you can get something from doing it, as we get from listening to it. XX
I can totally resonate with this but it’s always good to remember that when a person is obnoxious, arrogant, controlling and mean to others then they deserve to be lonely. If however you don’t posess those traits then you should just realize that a lot of us are lonely, we come into this world alone and then leave it on our own. A true friend is one who loves you for the sake of God and the sad truth is that a lot of friendships are based on benefit unless it’s love for the sake of God. There is no peace of mind out there other than in the remembrance of God, we can deny it all we want but it’s the truth. May God guide us all.
Definitely understand. It’s not just you, its a lot to do with society in general. I have bipolar, I lost a lot of people after a breakdown, they didn’t come back after my diagnosis, so I realised they weren’t worth fretting about. I then became disabled, enough for me to need someone around sometimes. whoosh, there went the rest of my friends!! My bipolar has stopped my ability to speak about anything. I’m terrified of people, on the phone, in person, I feel unable to trust anyone. I stopped all social media until I found Iain Lee (thanks jungle!!). I know am on twitter as its more anonymous than Facebook, I choose to follow things I like and not people I know. I have 3 friends now, 3 people who I found by accident when I was just at my lowest. I don’t ask them to understand, they don’t try to. but I am alone… I am 55, I am not going to suddenly start going out, I am unable to be anything else then the person I am. I have grandchildren who love me, and that’s enough. They don’t judge, or scare me, or ignore me. Society just isn’t nice anymore. Treasure your kids, treasure your moments of pleasure, and realise that although you may feel alone, you most definitely are not.
Iain,
Once again, I can completely identify with your situation – I think many can!
At the end of my twenties, I realized that the majority of people I believed to be my friends simply wern’t. I scaled back to just a couple – Then I got married.
After experiencing my partners postnatal depression, and then being involved in an a near fatal accident, I was diagnosed with depression and PTSD. I became reclusive and my personality changed dramtically – I lost confidence and couldn’t face people. Through therapy, I’ve made a partial recovery and I’m back in the land of the living – So to speak. I see two or three friends at various points throughout the year; I keep up with them on facebook too.
These days, I use audio shows to drown out the demons. My favourite radio/podcasters are yourself and a chap called Joey Diaz. I’ve learnt two things from both you:
1) From ‘The Late Night Alternative’, I’ve realised that these feelings of sadness and isolation are very common – You and many of your callers have also experienced the same things I have. I’m not alone.
2) From ‘The Church Of What’s Happening Now’, I’ve learnt you can turn things around – Uncle Joey is living proof. The man was in a dark place in his life once, now he remains in the light, and works to stay there. He’s a genuine inspiration.
Keep up the good work sir. Even on the darkest of nights, hearing you verbally spar with Alan Caddick and Jonathan From Swansea has me grinning like a cheshire cat.
To quote the group Atmosphere:
“We’re not lucky, but we’re fortunate – I’m pretty sure if it.”
Sorry that posted before I meant to! Try again.
Stop pushing people away. Friendships aren’t about zero tolerance policies. They are about understanding that everyone has insecurities and problems just like you. Be vulnerable together. I have learnt this the hard way but at 56 now realise it’s how I have lost so many friends. Your friends need you and All you have to offer them. I try to give more
Now and get much more back.
I find the radio keeps me company and I love listening to talkRADIO and you Iain. Keep making us all laugh.
Sue xxx
Thanks for writing this, Iain. Pretty much sums up parts of my own existence- I’m a year younger than you. I know I’ll come back to read this for reassurance in the future.
Could this be common? I am hoping one say I will have a best friend who shares my interests, gets me & is someone I can laugh with I’m in my 50s
Thanks for being honesty Iain. I see you and I see me. In fact , I truly believe a lot of people feel as we do but it takes courage to admit it and until we all do, things won’t change. I am a desperately lonely woman and struggle to find the true connection I seek. I have always been honest with my feelings whereas I feel people in modern society are wrapped up in pretension and shallow fake connections. I can’t stomach that and instead am alone trying to maintain hope that my vibe will eventually find my tribe.
Stay you Iain.
X
I can totally relate to a lot of this, I’m 30 with no friends.. 0 friends.. nada. I find striking up conversations with people painful. Also I feel like people do not want to talk to me. I feel like I’m the only person going through this but reading some of the comments here and your article proves otherwise….. i’m at the point where I don’t know what to write.. But yeah it sucks and it frkin hurts as hell
I went for walk to the beach a few weeks ago alone. Despite being married, I am alone. Always felt that way. I sat on a rock and watched the sun go down. Felt the urge to cry and bawl and wail at the top of my voice, to breakdown, but didn’t. Too concerned at what the few people around would think. So I grabbed a stone and scrawled on the rock next to me “Jo – so alone”. I don’t know if anyone ever saw it, probably washed away by the rain before any one did, but I told the world how I feel. It was out there. But nobody came. Nobody ever comes to tell me that it’s going to be ok. That I’m going to be ok.
So Iain, if you read this, thank you for being so truthful, so raw about what you’re feeling. So many people will say “I know how you’re feeling” and maybe they do. I know how I feel and fuck it hurts. It hurts more than I can ever put into words. So that’s me.
Wow, I totally get this and I’m exactly the same as I’m lonely 99% of the time, I unfortunately suffered a major stroke 23rd ago thankfully I’ve fought back and back to 90% fitness and back to work (3months) after the stroke, but I’m even more lonely now than ever before and I’ve no friends just family of parents and a sister who’s married and has a hectic social life, I don’t make friends easy because I’m worried about what they will think of me so I just go round in circles of going to work coming home watching tv or reading then bed then repeat 24/7 5 day’s a week then comes the weekend and that’s the worst time so I really do get and understand what ian has written
I totally get this x
steve allen plays on the fact that nobody will ever sue him for libel because he claims everything he says is true,he is a bitter,nastie,heartless piece of work and is to scared to have callers on his show because he can give it but cant take it.what he said about you iain lee is just gutter radio at its worst,one day this man will push his luck to far.
Iain.
I completely feel exactly the same with every word you have said. I to don’t have many friends to call upon may be one or to at best. Loneliness is also a big part of my life even thought I have my partner of 20 years and two wonderful children.but it is always that underlying sense of just wanting to be left alone. Like most of the comments I have read I also switch on when I need to when it comes to socialising with other people. I do have some faith in my religion but not strong enough, going to bed most times is a relief from life itself and a safe place to gather my thoughts.
As the saying goes.
An image is one thing, being a human being is another. It’s hard being a human being.
Stay strong .
I was lonely until met Sathya Sai Baba. I visited his ashram 8 times. It’s been good to know about him and my God. I believe my God and I still have no religion, but I’m happy to livening. My English is poor, so I cannot tell you much. I hope it will be a tip for you.
I’m 46 and I’m lonely. I’m married with a son, but I cannot maintain friendships. I “know” loads of people through sport, but I just cannot keep close friendships. Someone I considered a good friend told me that I do not treat friends well, so I cut myself off and now feel such envy when I see this person with a gang of friends. I though all of this rubbish was meant to stop when you leave school, but it’s just got harder as I’ve got older. I’ve found that people are cruel and judgemental, which is all the more noticeable living in a very small village! Social media hasn’t helped, it just makes me feel more isolated. I hate it that I don’t have close friends and sometimes feel like I’m in downward spiral of complete emptiness.
I’m the same Iain I don’t have many friends never have done I’m not the easiest person to get along with! I’ve been brought up by my mum to be very independent, even when I was at school I wouldn’t hang around town on a weekend, if and only if I needed anything I would just go into town and get back again. Now fast forward and I’m 40, divorces an my son lies with my ex husband in Devon and I see my son every other weekend. And all this time I’m desperately trying not to relapse and pick up a drink (now 18 months sober) and I couldn’t do 18 days if I’m brutally honest!
Until today, I had no idea who you were but clearly you have touched quite a number of individuals [Including myself] through your brutal honesty and exposure of a very sensitive subject. As i write this I’m watching the one of your podcasts and hope tomorrow’s show you might devote some time to this subject? I’m a professional and can identify with many a comment on here and feel privaleged, I’m in good company.
I am married with two beautiful kids who are making their way in the world with great success, I have a wide circle of friends but like you only a handful who I would call close. 34 years ago my brother was killed in a car crash 10 days before his 21st by a woman deciding to overtake a lorry on a blind bend. I was 18. I have spent the last 34 years mostly in my own world trying to work out how the world can carry on regardless. My world didn’t end but a large part of me died that day and there’s few and far people who can understand just how that feels. I understand loneliness but after many years realise that there’s always someone worse off and sometimes just sharing experiences is all it takes to help.
Every word, man. Every word. The only possible difference is I don’t [know if I] have depression.
When I’m with people, even people I consider good friends, part of me is just itching to be by myself so I can read or play a game and not have the pressure of trying to think of things to say or be constantly paranoid that they have no interest in what I say anyway. But when I am by myself I feel like there are so many people I could and should catch up with but don’t do anything about it.
For me the loneliness feels like a manifestation of guilt that I’m so bad at keeping in touch with people. Then I remember that people are actually pretty shit at keeping in contact with me too, which is simultaneously reassuring and depressing.
Thanks Nancy! Great article!
i do not engage in twitter rows with people who have mental health problems says steve allen last night.idiot.
I am:
* single male,
* isolated from family (who i speak to by email or on the phone every week or so – but usually about superficial things, not my feelings or emotions),
* have no friends where I am living (though we exchange emails every couple of months)
* mainly only speak to shop assistants, civil servants etc for obtaining goods/services.
At first, I used to have similar feelings of sadness and emptiness as you. But after a while (and lots of timle thinking about it) I realised that the sadness and empitness wasn’t directly caused by the isolation or lack of friends. The principal cause of the sandness/empitness was the social/cultural dogma (thought every kid is indoctrinated with since birth) that says that it is normal/correct to be extroverted/have friends/ etc … and that it is abnormal/sad to be introverted, isolated and with few friends.
I realised that I didn’t actually feel sad and empty – what I actually felt was guilt and disappointment that I was a failure for not meeting these social/cultural expectations. As soon I realised that these social/cultural expectations (in this, the 21st century) are the product of neoliberal, media-led bulls**t, I was liberated of that guilt/disappointment …. and as a consequence, that feeling I had misidentified as “sadness/emptiness” has disappeared.
I love my own company – and I like being around other people from time to time. But I will not let idiotic social/cultural dogma make me feel guilty for being that way. The neoliberal authoritarianism in the age of marketing/branding (otherwise known as propaganda) is utter crap and it is important to think how they interact to make us confuse the real basis of our feelings.
Would be interested in your thoughts ….
Thank you for writing this, I empathise. About a year ago I had a mental breakdown. It later ended my marriage and caused a huge rift that will likely never be healed with my teen daughter. I left the family home and lost touch with most of my friends as they were my wife’s friends too. As such I don’t feel I have any close friends now, maybe one or two now who will always answer a message or ask how I am. But no one I could call a best friend. My best friend is my 7 year old son, who I thankfully see every weekend still. He helps fight my loneliness, but I don’t know how a 42 year old man goes about making friends again. I use social media, but that is only to have minimal human contact. I study through the OU and have tutorials every now and then, but I still find coming home from work to an empty house most days so hard. I try to socialise but don’t want to fall in the trap of going down the pub and becoming an old man who props up the bar. I’m wary of losing myself and am keen to find out how I might become part of a new social group, without spending a fortune on a new hobby. So, I feel your feels Iain. It’s a club were in, but not one you brag about holding membership of.
You hit the nail on the head with pretty much everything you’ve said, you could have been talking about me. Life can be such a bitch at times but I’m lucky to have only one person who loves me and I love her but I don’t know what would happen if she wasn’t there. I’m sorry for the wrongs I’ve done in my 49 years but I did at least one thing right. I constantly battle with that doubting, self loathing voice in my head then I realise that it’s me it’s who I am and it’ll never change. It’s good to talk even if nobody is listening. Keep up the good work on your show Iain.
It is both sad that so many people relate to this but reassuring that we are not the only ones that feel this way. I ran the Big Half Marathon on Sunday surrounded by 11000 others but still felt totally isolated. I know I could try to make friends but don’t see why anyone would want to so never try. I am lucky enough to be married but my wife is my only friend. She suggests it is down to the fact that I don’t tend to like people rather than being unlikable. Anyway, this felt quite cathartic to actually “say” it out loud, so thank you Iain. For being open about something that appears to be far more common than I realised.
Wow! Anyone who has the pleasure of meeting you and spend time with you is lucky because brutal honesty really is an admiral and attractive quality.
I too struggle with having ‘natural’ conversation but ive realised its partly because i need to be around the right people to ease pressure of presenting myself as intelligent, witty and to have other people’s required banter. (I hate that word) When you ramble on or fluff up your words, forget your train of thought or literally have nothing to say and can have comfortable silence – be guided towards those people. Not the ones who require you to fit what their idea of a person should be. Thats exhausting.
Love this article. Brave man x
I could have written that. I feel exactly the same. The other comments show that there are so many of us in the same boat. Reassuring in one way but it just reinforces the sadness in another.
Now in a complete mess after reading this. Feel exactly the same, find it harder to make friends and be part of “the group”. People say get out there, find a hobby, meet people, but it’s just so difficult.
It feels slightly odd to say that I loved this because I can imagine it was really hard for you to write and share. But I really admire you for doing it. I experience loneliness too, I think a lot of people do sadly.
I like my own company too and I’m happier on my own most of the time. I only really have two friends. I had more when I was growing up and through school but I don’t ever really call people, not because I don’t want to speak to them but because I don’t know how to start a conversation. So overtime I think people started imagining that I don’t care and they just called me less and less until we drifted apart completely.
Most of the time it’s fine. But when occasionally the shit hits the fan it does upset me that I don’t belong to a ‘pack’ that will rally around and help as best they can. Even if it’s just checking in on me. A handful of people is great but just not enough some times.
I’m also at a loss about how to make new friends. I’m only 24 and even I feel too old. Plus I hate meeting new people and conversations terrify me. Doesn’t help that I’m on the spectrum either. So not a great mix when it comes to getting out there (Whatever that means).
I hope it at least helped you to share. Writing this has definitely been cathartic for me, so thanks for starting a conversation about it 🙂
Just a shame it’s such a tricky thing to solve.
Dear Iain,
I’m a 22 year old student, just stumbled across this piece you’ve kindly and bravely shared. I’ve read through some of the comments, and it saddens me that yourself and so many others are experiencing this loneliness. You seem like a lovely, down to earth, kind hearted family man who deserves happiness. The article has made me think about my future and approach towards friendships.
I know you didn’t write this for sympathy etc, but I do just want to say that I hope you find happiness, have faith in yourself – it’s never too late to meet people and I’m sure you’re aware that there are many who would enjoy your company (whether you enjoy theirs is of course another matter).
I do hope I one day bump into you in a pub!
All the best x
I am a member of “the lonely club” and it’s not much fun.
I didn’t have anyone to talk to after being off work with depression and losing contact with friends.
I have, however, found support through Social Media – I’ve started to Tweet and blog my journey in the hope that my recovery can inspire others to feel better.
If you want to get in touch, find me @FeelGoodGlasgow
Such a well written piece. Hits home with me!
Thanks for sharing this it’s excatly how I feel. A great article well done x????
Yep. 44, great kids. Well paid job but Lonely and perhaps unfulfilled much of the time. Much has changed in our 44 years, tech being the most obvious one which impacts on just about everything, but most importantly our friendships. Not sure what to do about it but will keep trying to find the answer. Good luck and thanks for writing this and reaching out.
I so get this. I have depression and the added burden of widowhood to contended with so I feel doubly fucked on the making friends angle. I’m hoping to start an art class in April but the lonliness still kills me.
I’m 45 and a few years ago I met up with a guy I used to work with, a few years earlier. He’s of similar age to me but goes out into clubs in town, and so we both go out once a month. We don’t care that we’re the oldest ones on the dancefloor, and when the room’s mostly pitch black, and the music playing is from the 80s and 90s, it feels like you’re young again, anyway. I have a sore head from the booze the next day, but that’s unavoidable 🙂
PS. A number of years ago, I made a video to go with the call you made to Mike Dickin about the Millennium being a great idea. Hope you enjoy it. Your call still makes me laugh loads 🙂 x
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hrZKgVCToVY
Iain, I’ve never written before and in all respects i’m A new reader but I think I identify with some of your experiences. I struggle to maintain conversation never mind a friendship. I masque almost everything by exclaiming ‘I’m just weird’ but I do feel an inept loneliness. And at 33 and now working for myself, I can’t see a future where people come into my life. Like you said it’s just odd. Good luck and I know you don’t want an offer of friendship from anyone but I’m sure the 100 of us who have commented would not turn you away! Good Luck
Ay, you hit a chord alright. It’s as if the Western pursuit of convenience, materialism, “career” and total, obsessive connectivity have applied our minds – or perhaps placed too much demand on it – to thought processing that evolution has not engineered it for. I mean think about it, roll back 50 years, and things like hardship, sensory quiet time, uncomplicated love and relationships, need over want, geographically-limited current affairs, 2 TV Channels, focus on making “things”, real degrees, knowing your neighbours, community etc etc. These things have gone, for the most part.
And I’m going to be frank. Iain, I thought you were a neg-head depressive, because that’s how you’be been portrayed. Worse, thats’ how we’re all played by media. We no longer do vanilla or normal; everything needs to be accentuated or edited to the worst / best parts. Your honesty kind of stopped me in my tracks. “Shit. I feel like he feels”. Differenc being, I don’t have a public persona and my life isn’t edited to the friends I love. But truth is, I got 99 problems and the bitch is 1 (sorry ladies! Play on a song :0) ).
So let me be honest. The only 2 things that pull me away from that cold, silent place (kind of like the prism the baddies in Superman get imprisoned in before being sent into space) are those moments of laughter with friends and family or ashamedly, when I discover either people feel like I do or someone I thought had the perfect life comes out of the “Loneliness” closet.
So what we gonna do about it? I wanna do something! Let’s all club together and start a movement that’s bigger than Happy Clappy club. Maybe when they see we’re a serious movement, many in the HCC will break rank and join us. I’m serious, especially as a couple of good friends from the HCC came out only these past 2 weeks.
Let’s do something about it!
I am lonely. Much of it is by choice. I crave friends but cannot keep them. I inadvertently push people away with my social awkwardness, my lack of conversational skills and my inability to make small talk, remember faces, fake interest in things that don’t interest me.
Very recently I came across descriptions of women who have Aspergers but don’t show it in the same way as men because they are able to mimic “normal” behaviour and cover up for their lack of social skills. I took this test – it’s long but worth persisting with as it may explain that your brain isn’t wrong, but just wired differently to most people. With understanding that you’re not abnormal, a lot of things fall into place.
https://musingsofanaspie.com/2012/11/20/taking-the-aspie-quiz/
I use to feel exactly like this. I would occasionally write this almost exactly the same on Facebook statuses. I don’t feel like this anymore, and I’ve say a while trying to find the words to explain ‘why’, …how did that change for me? … If you are like me, you won’t want to read a long reply, so shall do my best to keep this short. I’m a full time carer for my two sons who just happen to on the autism spectrum. I have learnt a great deal from them. They each have limited but very close friends, and these amazing young friends all have one thing in common; they accept my son’s entirely, they always include them in invites but always accept that’s it’s ok to say “No thanks” without judgement…when my boys do agree to go out with them, these wonderful friends to our of their way to ensure they are collected and returned home safe and made to feel at ease, and that they can leave at any time they wish without feeling awkward. Watching them, made me realise that it wasn’t that I felt lonely for company, or left out of social events, … I just wanted people who wanted to get close to me, be it friends or aquaintances, to understand me, and accept me unconditionally… Friendly with everyone, best friends with no one.. A friend who will listen without judgement, but socially accept I’m a bit of a poppy friend, but it’s ok to be that way. It works. Like my sons, I have a small circle of ‘friends’, that I rarely see, but are there, and allow me to be in control of how and when I’m social…contact us mainly by text cause I hate the phone (it represents ‘business ‘, and hours of battling for support for my boys .. a lot of years and desperate pleas). I am able to be more productive as a mother and carer, and my stress levels have dropped.. The pressure is off. It was never a social life I sought, it was acceptance.