I can relate a little bit. I'm a pretty good runner and I run with a few different groups. We run as groups and it isn't competitive. However, they know my race times and they are always giving me crap for being fast. (Like it is a bad thing.) Most of the group is always saying things like, "Don't let us hold you back. You know you can just take off if you want." It makes me feel singled out and as if they don't want me there. It is a barrier to connection since I don't feel comfortable or completely trust them. What I've learned is to NOT do that to others.
Be who you are. There is nothing wrong with you. You are exactly the way you should be based on the life you've had up to now. If others aren't comfortable with that, it is their problem, not yours. I'm guessing more than half the people who have read your posts think you are very likable.
