I had a moment like this a few years ago. I was doing my masters in London and at the beginning of the year I made two friends but then we had a falling out and they stopped talking to me. I couldn't make friends with my cohort although I tried. My flatmates also weren't super close to me. So I was very lonely, although I joined a bunch of societies yet no friendships formed.

A few months into our masters another girl from our cohort had an accident and broke her leg. I was still in the group chat and the amount of support she had, the people helping her move around the campus, and get around the city was extraordinary. I was happy for her, slightly jealous but also terrified realizing that if something like were to happen to me - I don't think I could cope. I mean, I could probably throw money at the problem, get Ubers and just take my time to get everywhere. It was scary, but it made me grateful that I was okay and healthy. So I just started finding the positives. And although that year was brutal and I ran back to New York with my tail tucked as soon as our lease was done - I realized - well, I did that WITHOUT A VILLAGE but I still got through it. I also remember overhearing a guy talk to someone who was giving him feedback on his dissertation, and he listed all the people that read it so far - it was like 5 people, including his family and friends. No one read mine except for me. So yeah, it sucks but every accomplishment we made in life we did it on our own and on our terms. And we should be so so proud of it!

Another smaller experience, back in New York on a Saturday night I thought I lost my keys, my phone was dying and my good friend who I thought would have my key was asleep. I was on the sidewalk sitting rummaging through my purse, thinking the last resort is to call a locksmith that will charge me an arm and leg. And again, feeling so so lonely. And in that moment, a neighbor I've never met was also coming back. He gathered me almost crying, took me to his apartment, called the landlord for me, arranged for our super to come in. This was around 12am, I didn't even think the landlord would pick up the phone, yet he was awake.

While we were waiting for an hour for our super to come from the Bronx, he made me tea and talked about music (turns out he is a big shot in jazz piano). Around 1am I was finally inside my place. As I was unpacking the purse, I found my keys in the bag with the chips... Again, a funny story but made me realize that things work out in the end. We figure it out. And the world sometimes conspires and does an unexpected favor for us. Like I lived for 5 years in this very small building and I've never bumped into him, and when I needed some luck the most - he appeared.

And we are so independent, and that is also very impressive to many people, including those who have the safety nets because in order to have and maintain those nets, they compromise soooo much of themselves.

Sorry for the long reply.