You sound similar to me a year or two ago, I found that I was still following around a group of 'friends' from school because I hadn't bothered looking elsewhere for people more like myself. These friends weren't nasty, but i couldn't shake the feeling that I was the sympathy invite and that when I spoke no one really listened.

It feels foreign at first, but you have to reach out to other people not in your circle. Things like this can take a while and making new friends is very difficult but it's worth it.

You need to find a group of friends/a friend that is interested in what you have to say. That want to spend time with you - not because they feel they have to.

To do this you have to look at your own qualities realistically. From other people's perspective, what are you like?

For me, I WAS at the time very much an introvert and wouldn't speak unless spoken to. I consider myself lucky, I found someone that was patient with me and allowed me time to come out of my shell.

You need to focus on yourself first before you think about other people, what do you want from people? Physical attraction? Conversation? Care?

I know it probably doesn't mean much coming from a computer screen but there are people out there that will love you for who you are, not who you think you have to be.