Overcoming Social Anxiety and Making Friends

I feel you. I'm very isolated and haven't been able to drive due to seizures and my partner is away most of the time. And even when he's around, he barely talks to me. YouTube videos and lectures keep me company. I make as much art as possible. I actually engage with scammers calling or texting me and waste their time and make them uncomfortable by dumping my woes onto them. I put something cute on and have a dance party in my closet. I talk to my ancestors at my altar. I've been teaching myself to read tarot. I journal. I cry. The friends thing? I connect with people through art and memes. Some niches have very tight knit communities and are very welcoming. When I actually step out of my hermit mode, this isolation, and am able to go to the events I promised to go to (because otherwise I'll spend hours dressed and ready to go out, just staring at the door and freaking out on the inside), I'm reminded that my voice and I matter and that people miss me. It's hella hard to go out and it happens maybe 5 or so times a month on average but it's a process. It's ok to be a worrier warrior. Or as I say "I won't quit, but I will cry the entire time". Online interaction is still interaction. It counts. So, if you don't make any art, I'd suggest looking into the things that interested you the most as a child and embracing one of them. I believe that it's through passion that we build community. Idk, just my opinion.

I joined support groups online. That helped me find my voice again and feel more comfortable going outside/getting. A job

Find friends that you have things in common with. I know it’s hard to get out there but get a job if you don’t have one and make friends.