Few to No Friends?

[Heavenly_Love12]

This isn't really long distance relationship related but, I'm wondering if anyone else have few to no friends in their area? I know one of the ways people help manage the distance is by hanging out with friends/family to have fun and help pass the time. In my case, I only have oneish friends where I am and am a couple thousand miles away from the closest family.

If anyone else is in a similar situation, what are ways you keep busy and cope? How do you deal with loneliness?

[snow_girl]

Look for local meetups. Most cities have meet ups to meet new people.

[Black_Halloween]

I have the same problem as you do. I quite literally have 0 friends in my area. Most of the time i'm either with clients (i'm a photographer), with my mom or alone. I'm more of an introvert so this lifestyle doesn't bother me as often as it would most people. I'll either be reading, surfing the net (im a bit of a tumblr addict), researching photos or working on a project. I'll be starting school this Thursday so that'll give me something to do too at least for a few weeks. Hiking is also a favorite past time and with summer fast approaching i'm sure i'll be outside with my camera more often.

Find little hobbies that you like to do!

[Hollandia]

https://www.couchsurfing.org/


This is an open minded group of people that love to share new experiences and make friends. I have a few friends from there. Just make sure they know you are taken as some have no problem looking for love there as well. They have local meetings and events too.

[hans]

I do recognize this. My SO and I keep contact almost every evening (evening for me), so that kind of "keep me stuck". I'm not complaining about chatting/talking to my girlfriend - I don't feel to good when we don't have any contact. But of course that limits other contacts.
What I do is to try to do spots, running, work out, go spinning. Also taking evening classes on different subject, last class was in Spanish.
Just have to get through this, not fun at all, so ready for closing the distance.

[digitalfever]

Hmmm.., I have a ton of friend but admittedly avoid them in favour of drinking wine and eating cheese while catching up on seasons. I'm horrible.

[Heavenly_Love12]

Thanks for the responses. I do have hobbies but none of them occupy all of my time. I've tried different friendship finding sites and meet ups but the area I'm in is small, so there are few people from the area on those sites I'll be back in school part time in June and work full time. I just like having people to talk to and hangout with. Most of the things I like to do, I can do on my own in some form but it's not the same.

[Verojoon]

Hmmm.., I have a ton of friend but admittedly avoid them in favour of drinking wine and eating cheese while catching up on seasons. I'm horrible.

wine and cheese make the best friends, really!

I have this problem too. But I think even if I had more friends in the area, I wouldn't see them very often... I tend to enjoy my alone time... but crave the interaction every now and then... often I don't even realize it. For example I'd been down and depressed for a few weeks, then I yesterday I had people over and I woke up (after 4 hours of sleep) high on life... Like I had been recharged from the social interaction...

[Heavenly_Love12]

Like I had been recharged from the social interaction...

I'm the same way! I get in a rut and kind of used to not having anyone to hangout with or talk to and then I'll hang out with my one friend and feel SO much better!

[ThePiedPiper]

I have one friend and I have my mother. I'm an introvert and social time can very easily exhaust me, so what I have found is that I enjoy classes and meet-ups. I like being friendly with other people and I do like to socialize, but going to an hour long exercise class where my endorphins are going and my heart is pumping and everyone is coming together to exercise can usually help me feel a lot less lonely. Volunteering, I have found, is another good outlet, allowing you to interact with people, sometimes on a personal level, and for a good cause too!

[garnet]

IRL, I have my mom and son, and one best guy friend. Zero female friends. This is going to sound pathetic, but my main social interaction is going to the hospital with my son for checks - I know the NICU staff very well, and the follow up staff too. In terms of getting out, I don't really need more than that. Which is good, since my son can't get sick, and staying in is what we do 95% of the time.

I've got several friends online, blog, spend too much time on Pinterest and Facebook, do digital scrapbooking, and paper scrapbooking mini albums. Of course I spend a ton of time hanging out with Nate (my son). When I can't sit still, we just go for a walk. When I'm looking for a boost in spirits, I'll play with Instagram, and Happier. I like online social sites where you don't need to know everyone to have an enjoyable experience.

Also, my dogs. Two rescues. They always help fight the lonely feelings!

[Heavenly_Love12]

but going to an hour long exercise class where my endorphins are going and my heart is pumping and everyone is coming together to exercise can usually help me feel a lot less lonely. Volunteering, I have found, is another good outlet, allowing you to interact with people, sometimes on a personal level, and for a good cause too!

I workout 4-5 days a week and go to classes when my work schedule allows me to make the ones I like. It does help a lot and gets me into a much better mood for awhile after words. I try to volunteer as well, it's highly smiled upon in the military, it's just finding the places and being available when they have volunteer openings!

[Heavenly_Love12]

IRL, I have my mom and son, and one best guy friend. Zero female friends. This is going to sound pathetic, but my main social interaction is going to the hospital with my son for checks - I know the NICU staff very well, and the follow up staff too. In terms of getting out, I don't really need more than that. Which is good, since my son can't get sick, and staying in is what we do 95% of the time.

I've got several friends online, blog, spend too much time on Pinterest and Facebook, do digital scrapbooking, and paper scrapbooking mini albums. Of course I spend a ton of time hanging out with Nate (my son). When I can't sit still, we just go for a walk. When I'm looking for a boost in spirits, I'll play with Instagram, and Happier. I like online social sites where you don't need to know everyone to have an enjoyable experience.

Also, my dogs. Two rescues. They always help fight the lonely feelings!

Aww I'll pray for your son! I was born 3 months early and my parents got to know the NICU staff really well too I really want a cat but am wanting to wait until the pet deposit, pet application, and pet adoption won't feel like such a blow to my account.

[loveknowsnodistance27]

I have a few close friends who live near me, and they are awesome. I am very much introverted and I hate meeting people for the most part. I am super shy and insecure. I have hobbies that I do by myself in my spare time when I'm not hanging out with my friends. I have more online friends, like a bunch from here. I'm content with the few friends I have. I don't need a lot of friends because I'd rather spend my time alone.

[Mims27]

I don't have many friends either...my SO and I keep talking about how I need to get out and do stuff rather than stay at home and get antsy and lonely. I should make friends but the thought makes me kinda nervous? Probably because I was shy and awkward as a kid and that lingered a bit. Even though now I'm not at all like that. lol I really should make an effort though...I bet it would help.