I feel so alone, sometimes I wonder whether any of this was worth it. I was on the outside for most of my life and now I have cemented that by leaving islam and making a stand over it, all for what? so I can sit here crying with no one I can talk to, no one who can just hold me and tell me everything will be ok and just be there with me.
Pouring my heart out to a bunch of strangers because there is no one else. Was it really worth it?
You do need to go out and make friends in real life. Others' advice about that is true.
The question is - how can you expand your social circle - so here are a few suggestions:
Are there any clubs or societies you can join? You are interested in writing - are there writers' clubs? Are there book clubs where people meet up?
Are you interested in outdoor activities of any sort? If so try to find something that is more social (e.g. hillwalking with others rather than surfing on your own).
I know people who have joined toastmasters,
http://d71.org/portal.php?page=-1&marknow=0or play tag rugby
http://www.tagrugby.co.uk/or learn to dance
http://www.tasteoftango.co.uk/or join voluntary organisations -
http://www.lionsmd105.org/Are there evening courses/college courses that you can/want to do?
(Once you are in, you also get access to university clubs and societies - often there are clubs and societies for mature students too)
One thing I've also noticed is that some church groups provide an "instant community" - some Churches in the US like the Unitarians seem to simply exist for this purpose, and it seems to me that many people join churches just for this community aspect - even if it is nonsense.
There are also groups such as
http://www.social-circle.co.uk/ for people in their 20's, 30's, 40's and also online groups such as
http://londonsocialcircle.com/ or
thisMake gaining and working on your social circle the most important thing in your life for a while - you have nothing to lose and can gain a lot. Even the fact that you are pushing your boundaries and doing varied things will make you a more "interesting" and more confident person - which in itself will help you gain friends.
Best of luck - please listen to some of the advice and stay positive!
EDIT: Seeing as it was mentioned elsewhere,
http://www.meetup.com seems pretty cool for lots of events too...
I can only join things that are in the daytime because I'm a single mum, and that are within my budget because I am a single mum lol
I have put off college for this term year because I want to settle my kids into school but I am hoping it will be a possibility next year.
I considered popping into a church and just faking it for some kind of companionship but then I thought that seemed kind of creepy so I didn't.
I'm also really shy in the real world, I stand on the outskirts all the time and keep my head down. I want friends, but I push people away when they try to talk to me, because I am not comfortable around people straight off.
I went to a parenting group earlier this year, and didn't return after the first session because there were too many people there lol even though I went there to hopefully meet other parents who were having a tough time.
I want to change this part of me, I don't like being a loner yet I have become one.
Thanks for the advice.
Topic: Berbs Blog, much madness within