I don't enjoy socalizing.

I have always been very shy and introverted my entire life but I did used to have a large group of friends that I generally enjoyed spending time with. Two years ago I moved to a new city because of my parents jobs and since the move I have completely lost interest in socializing or meeting people. I spent my last 2 years of high school alone for the most part. I would go to school and avoid talking to anyone. A lot of people did reach out to me and invite me to different things but when ever I would go to a party I would never really enjoy being there and end up wishing that I had just stayed at home and read a book, watched a movie or played a game. The same can be said for work. I am 18 and I feel like I am wasting my youth but I don't enjoy going out and I feel like I don't have anything in common with people my own age. People find it strange that I am such a big loner but I am not unhappy at all and I just prefer to stay at home by myself.

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85% Normal
Based on 89 votes (76 yes)
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Comments ( 11 )
  • buttintoit

    I have gone through periods in my life like that and I have gone through times when I'm highly social. Getting out there when you are unsure of yourself and you don't know people very well is scary for sure, especially when you have introverted tendencies.
    My advice is to try to get a few friends and work up to feeling more comfortable with more people. There are also drugs you can take (prescription) if you have severe social anxiety that will help you get out there. Once you step back and see that everybody is scared to stick out and really they are too wrapped up I'm themselves to study your behavior you will allow yourself to be human and know you're just as good as anyone (and probably better because you are self reflective)
    You only get one life so don't b afraid to live it - conquering our fears and making mistakes is the only way we humans learn. I know people who have not challenged themselves in life (I'm much older than you) and they are still as afraid as ever, and frankly they seem pretty unhappy. The only way to get over your fears are to face them.
    Don't forget to listen to your gut instinct tho - it doesn't lie - don't put yourself in situations w people you get a first bad impression of - just people who you feel good about!!
    Good luck! You can do it!

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  • niceadvice

    If you do not enjoy socializing then do not! It is up to you and if you are content with your life then fine. I always find it helpful to have just one close friend.

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  • penquinsolder

    I believe im sort of the same because I have friends who I can spend time with but dont. I could ask to hang out but i enjoy spending my time alone doing what i like instead of with others. When i do go out with them i come back feeling like i didnt accomplish anything or didnt fully enjoy myself like i might when doing things i wanted to do

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  • JIMJIM$$$$$$

    I have no idea

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  • melee

    Oh, that is totally like ME! I am older than you now, I'm 30, but I've been like that my whole life really. I had a few friends in high school that I felt comfortable with, but sometimes I still didn't feel like going to things. It seemed like a lot of effort to make conversation and people didn't (or couldn't) always talk about things that I like (art, traveling, certain types of music that weren't popular, etc.) and I didn't want to play the whole social game. It wasn't me. Even now, I feel like I should be out, single, having the time of my life, but I have done that and it never was as much fun as it seemed like it should be, unless I was with my best friend running around Chicago being silly and crazy). Still, I think it's a reaaally good thing to like just being by yourself. I'm never really lonely and enjoy my own company. I like shopping alone, hanging out in my apartment, and I even went to Miami on vacation alone and loved it! Nobody saying, "hey, we should...." or "let's go do this...." Most people in your life are just acquaintances, not friends. There's nothing wrong with only having one or two really good friends because experts say we become the average of all the people we know. Whoever those people are, make them the best people. The less noisy acquaintances there are around, the less watered down your true self will be.

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  • BatZion

    its called shyness.

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  • Mattman149

    The underlying problem is not that you're abnormal, but that you don't conform to the social definition of normality for an 18 year old. It can be difficult "fitting in" at an age when your peers are engaging in such a narrow scope of social behavior.
    But if you don't feel negatively impacted by your introversion, then it might be best until you meet people who are interested in similar activities.

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  • aedoc

    Don't let other people dictate what you should be doing.

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  • fantasy61009

    I am exactly like this. Except for the large group of friends you mention. ;)a lot of people are loners...

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  • okcomputer

    well, generally this is not "normal" according to society :/ sometimes i feel the same... i really enjoy staying home rather than going out. it gives me comfort being alone but sometimes i wish I could know some more people :D

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  • nowwhatdoido

    www.meetup.com is my two cents.

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