I'm back from holiday (and now depressed)

[MaxP]

Hey Max!
Welcome back- are you going to post any pics for us to live vicariously thru?

Hi agent99, how are you doing?

I need to sort something out on the photos front for the others in the group too, so once I do that I can post a link.

You have that new job coming up, right? That will add some social interaction.

For me, I am going to go to some classes for adults. Where I live, they have a "university" that has short (1 time to 4 times) classes that are for adults and geared towards personal development. For instance, I want to take Salsa lessons, How to play Pool, a cooking class geared towards autumn food, how to get over stage fright, silver smithing, quit procrastination, recovering from loss and a few others. I think this is going to really open up my exposure to potential new friends.

Yes, last week in my present job coming up. I start the new one next week. Big changes again. It will mean new people and hopefully new friends too.

Like you I intend to take some adult education courses, but need to wait until I know what my working hours are going to be like before I sign up (I will have a long commute in my new job). Watch this space.

Just because someone appears social, doesn't mean that in their hearts they are feeling fulfilled. (the old "Feeling alone in a room full of people" thing.) You just did a two week trip with a bunch of strangers. You post here and reach out. I think these are good ways to "stretch your wings" and test out how to get "closer" to people in more non-threatening ways. (ie, instead of taking the "risk" of reaching out to people in your immediate circle.)

Thanks for the words of encouragement. Posting to the board here is really helpful sometimes, particularly when I'm feeling a bit low. If anything I'm finding that I get on with strangers more easily than with my friends. I had a great time on the trip and had no problems getting to know new people there. I guess it comes back round to my problem with making demands on people (i.e friends) which is something I seem to have a hard time doing. It's that 'closer' thing you are refering to.

You will hopefully know how she guages you once you see her. Obviously, post what happens.

I will post. I feel so nervous sometimes. I just think that she doesn't feel anything for me anymore. I'm just an average friend to her (well, not even average - at least she interacts and talks to her other friends). It makes me feel that there is no hope for us, and that makes me want to withdraw even more. That could be a vicious circle for us. At what point will we have a discussion about 'us'? It's as though neither of us acknowlegde we have a past. I'm too scared and she doesn't care about me(IMHO).