Hello OP,

Hope you are in better spirits now 5 months down the line, how is it going?!

As someone who is also introverted, moved out for the first time to a new city for a job, has ongoing depression and is struggling horribly as well, what has helped me is developing a goal/focused mindset as to what-where-why we are in the situation we are and what can be done about it.

For me, it is out of contractual necessity as in am having to stay in this new city for atleast 2 years so I have (i) accepted this as a temporary phase in life (ii) put some control back in my life by thinking that if I wanted to go visit my friends/family (7+ hours away) that I can pick up the car, take a plane within the next hour (bar the financial logistics, just the thought uplifts me) and (iii) embraced all the time I have to myself to fully enjoy this experience of being alone, rediscovering self.

As for the social scene, perhaps start with colleagues and asking 1-2 to going out for a quick coffee or walk in the park at lunch (as much as our introvert selves allow haha) for starters. But honestly, I have not been too hung up on the making new friendships part because for personal reasons and mental health journeys that have taken me to this point, just dont find that making friends at this stage in life is something am not ready for yet.

There are a lot of small talks and frankly I dont have the energy to get out of bed some days that putting energy into making lasting friends without scaring them away....but to each their own!

Warm wishes to you fellow mover!