Choosing to live life in solitude

[InbetweenDreams]

@calgor Why do you think the social circle is shrinking? I mean if you ask me I wave my finger at social media and smartphones... I'll bet if you broke the survey data down by age that the older folks are the ones that are keeping close friends. I think being on social media inhibits having friends and just gives you enough stimulation to not put yourself out there because it is easier to get on Instagram to get your dopamine kick.

I don't think it is really a choice to live in solitude but rather something that happens. The way people deal with their social anxiety and often feel that it is something they did wrong, that they're the one who is weird, unworthy of friendship and so on. My point is that the reality is, everybody is weird, everyone is flawed and that everyone is worthy of having friends, but you have to put yourself out there. You also have to understand that others may feel the same, they might feel that they are unworthy of your friendship. Also have to know where your energy is going, not everyone wants to be friends and some people don't make good friends (i.e. the person who shows up only when they need money, sex, a favor, etc). I feel that if someone wants to make or keep friends you have to go outside your comfort zone, especially those of us who are introverted, have social anxiety and so on.

I say all that because I deal with social anxiety all the time. I might be better at dealing with it now than I was say, 10...15 years ago, but I am not hitting a dance floor near you lol. It takes a lot of effort to do something you're not used to doing and understanding yourself and people that we're all weird and flawed and it's not you who's the problem. It's just always a better outcome if you can avoid falling in the trap of self-pity.

I don't know, but I am hoping that social media will not become the norm. I have heard that the next generation following generation Z will be more social compared to their parents. We'll see I guess.