Hi anonymous

Hmm I’m sorry to hear that you are having some difficulties with your friend. I can see how that would be painful.

Since you don’t want to share everything with her, I would honour that feeling and not share everything with her. If she doesn’t see you as a friend because of that, so be it. It hurts when other people reject you for your beliefs but it is better to be true to yourself, as opposed to do something that you are uncomfortable with.

Perhaps you are just a person that she doesn’t get. Perhaps she is a person that you don’t get.

Part of life is dealing with the complexities of relationships with other people. But it doesn’t mean that you are any less of a deserving person. I hope you feel better soon.

Love and best wishes! ❤️🙏

Hi Jana

I’m sorry to hear that people criticise you for your introverted ways. I think that is very rude and counter intuitive. If you want to interact with someone more, you don’t criticise them, you be nice to them. All they are telling you by doing that is communicating their hurt feelings and making you feel like they don’t want to socialize with you. They are not caring about how you feel.

I have some advice because I am similar in that I don’t like gossip and don’t engage in it. What I tend to do instead is tell stories about interesting things in my day. People like to feel included in your life because it is a bonding experience, but it 100% doesn’t have to be anything sensitive. I am still trying to work on sharing things about myself more. It’s a work in progress.

I do however engage in positive “gossip”. I freely say nice things about other people. I think that this perfectly acceptable.

I shut down after about an hour in social situations. I personally enjoy petting the dog in the room the socialising is happening in. I just listen and pet and play with the dog when I’m tired. It would probably be okay to go on your phone for a bit too. I think that people are aware that I flag out and they just don’t mind because I stay in the room and I’m not trying to be rude. I’m trying to say that it is perfectly acceptable to not interact and do self-care in the same room as others, it is the leaving that they get upset with.  You can also be polite and go to the bathroom when you need a break. This is seen as socially acceptable. Preparing food for socialising is also seen as socially acceptable. Going outside to chill with the dog and being in a separate room to go on your phone is not seen as socially acceptable.

I hope this is helpful, it is just what I learned over the years.

Love, peace and best wishes! ❤️🙏

Hi John

Haha thank you! That is a compliment coming from you. 😊

It is amazing to hear that you got to live your childhood dream. Well done on making that happen.

Your love for chemistry reminds me of my high school chemistry teacher. He was amazing. He had such enthusiasm and knew how to get us all excited about it by showing us interesting things like how to make a custard bomb and plating coins using electrolysis.

Of course, it would be okay for you to use it. 😊

I don’t think it sounds fatalistic, I actually agree with you.

I believe that lack of imagination is a significant problem when it comes to decision making. Often to achieve something, first people have to believe that it is even possible. People often suffer from limiting beliefs about their own possibilities and need help expanding their minds to consider other possibilities.

Haha I’m glad to hear that your two minds are getting on so far… 😂

That is a very wise perspective to look inside yourself and realise when there is something missing.

I was drawn to Buddhism because I exhausted what psychology can accomplish. I have always enjoyed ancient eastern philosophy and I was curious if any insights might be found.

It is fascinating that Buddhism is an oral history and with all of the cultures it spread to there are variations.

Love, peace and blessings! ❤️🙏