Feeling Socially Isolated? How Introverts Can Build a Support System Without Social Burnout
If you feel desperate about trying to find new friends, here’s some good news: there’s no expiry date for your communication skills.
The social norms got us thinking that having numerous friends is any person’s bare minimum, though not everyone ends up finding people they feel comfortable with.
As many confessed in social media or rather during their sessions with therapists, they grew up focusing mostly on studies and career achievements rather than fun time with friends, so at some point they found themselves feeling lonely without anyone to turn to.
What complicates the entire situation is that it’s way more difficult to make friends when you’re an adult, with many also preferring to stay alone instead of seeming intrusive. However, psychologists suggest you take several specific steps to check whether you’re ready to keep a constant contact with another person or not yet.
Write Yourself a Gratitude Letter
Introverted people often feel like they’re not worthy being friends with, but there’s no way a person can be just bad without a single positive trait.
According to many experts, writing yourself a gratitude letter can make you feel like you receive praise from your parents who are extremely proud of how you turned out. In the letter and later in life, try highlighting your best achievements and character traits, don’t criticize and underestimate yourself.
Make Your Wishes Come True (but Moderately)
Before showing your worth to another person, make sure you know your own worth and don’t deprive yourself of something you want just because you probably didn’t deserve it.
Make small and big gifts for yourself after completing something you’ve been doing for long, but also don’t forget to listen to yourself and recognize your needs. If you feel like you can’t do a certain thing anymore, don’t force yourself.
Make a List of Friendship Benefits and Disadvantages
If you’ve seen friendship as a complicated process your entire life, this list will help you finally see the value of having someone close to you. Highlight the reasons why friendship can be beneficial and in which cases the loneliness can be harmful for your mental health.
Decide for Yourself Whether You’re Ready to Be Friends With Someone
Consider the amount of time you’re ready to spend with another person per week or month, as well as whether you would be comfortable opening up to them.
The next step is looking for new friends among those who share your interests, for example special interest groups or in social media.
