Dear Lonely,

You are not alone. Most people, myself included feel lonely, unappreciated, ignored, unloved. Sometimes we bring this negativity into our lives by fear of our own feelings. I am 50 and I have no friends anymore, they all moved away (seriously), I lost my job, my house, my daughter and her family and my mother, all had to move away because I lost my job and home and could no longer support or help them. So I know what it is like to be alone. However you are young, I am not sure what your interest are or if you have social anxiety issues like me but you have to overcome them. Have you tried Meetup.com? Maybe you can try that, those are clubs that people have formed with people of all ages and interests. Do you have an animal? Animals especially dogs can provide that bridge if you have difficulty talking to girls. Most girls love animals and will love to great a happy dog and find out more about his or her owner. what about anime or gaming clubs? I know there are quite a few out there. Today with computers, social media, online gaming, etc. We are isolated and cut off. Unplug your computer and just get out and walk, yes it will feel very odd and weird at first but repress those paranoid feelings when you do. Take a deep breath, look at the trees, children playing, waive at the neighbors, greet anyone with a dog. I to have issues with my family. They all see me as the brat of the family and the black sheep. But know that no matter what they will always love you. You have to go against your comfort level and branch out a little bit at a time. Go to college, just take a cooking class, an art class, join a gym. Who cares if it is all old people like me. LOL ya never know, sometimes old people have daughters granddaughters they would love for you to meet. Keep your heart open, keep faith, volunteer, again, be friends with all ages and races. You never know what will come your way. It isn’t easy to put yourself out there especially if you are like me and have major social anxieties in a large group or meeting but you have to embarrass yourself sometimes and be ok with it. It makes me want to puke just thinking about going to a meeting or joining something, but I do it because I have made a challenge to myself. You can do it.