My depression is slowly lifting slightly for some unexplainable reason and not that I am capable of feeling emotions again the biggest one has been loneliness (also anxiety). My best friend no longer uses Skype very much and he was one of like two people who I regularly talk to so now it's gotten to the point where I'll go days, even a week or more without talking to anyone. I want to connect with more people. I need to connect with more people. But it's been so long since I've even thought about doing this (or had any measurable emotion at all) that I don't remember how?????? (Additional details which I am not sure if shitbrain or not - I certainly can't seem to identify them as anything other than objective fact: I have nothing to offer anyone. I generate nothing. I have a handful of things I enjoy passively, and one thing I enjoy generatively if you consider interpretation generative. I am not perceived. Under certain schools of thought I do not exist.) How do I make friends please advise Related topic: Any advice on becoming part of a community? Kintsugi, for example. I've had this account for ages, I've been posting here and there, but I have made no meaningful connections here. Or tumblr - I've had a tumblr for actual years and in that time I have made one (1) friend. I am so tired of not existing. I want to mean something and be cared about. Please help me exist.
You exist. By being here and posting, you are part of the Kintsugi community. In general, though: Do you work, or work with other people? Coworkers can be a good place to start, because you can talk shop. Volunteering. You contribute to your community, are productive, meet other people who care about the same causes, and can talk to them. Also, if you volunteer at a human society or something similar: animals to pet. Since you like interpreting, local book clubs: you might be able to find them online or locally through Meetup or the library Craft groups - crafts let you create concrete evidence of your existence, and craft groups give you community
Don't listen to jerkbrain when it tells you that you have nothing to offer. You do. Even if right now you don't know what it is, you have it or you have the capacity to make it. You don't have to be super-excited-this-is-the-best-thing over a hobby to use it to meet people. Find groups dedicated to those things you passively enjoy (or have never tried but are willing to give it shot), like through meetup.com. Send the person hosting the meeting an e-mail saying that you'll be a new there and it'll give you someone to greet when you get there. Less anxiety than just showing up not knowing anyone. Ask people questions about themselves, engage in their answers, try to learn something new - it'll make getting to know people easier. You won't make friends the first day but keep going consistently and you'll make some connections. Seconding the volunteering suggestion above too.
