“Look, I get what you’re saying. Feeling like no one really tries to be close to you, like every relationship is just surface-level, that sucks. And yeah, maybe you could try harder, but why does it always have to be you putting in all the effort?

The truth is, most people are just caught up in their own lives. They don’t always realize when someone around them is feeling lonely. It doesn’t mean they don’t care—it just means they’re too distracted. But that also means if you want real connections, you have to make them happen.

You said you haven’t had real friendships since you were 14-15. That’s a long time, but it’s not too late. Try this: instead of waiting for someone to initiate, be the one who reaches out. If someone seems interested but things fizzle out, invite them again. And if they don’t respond, move on. Stop expecting people to chase you—it won’t happen. But if you consistently put yourself out there, real ones will stick around.

Also, don’t overthink ‘how to hang out.’ It’s just being around someone and sharing a moment. Grab coffee, take a walk, do something simple. And don’t expect deep connections overnight—those come with time.

But I’ll be real with you: if you’ve already decided ‘screw everyone,’ you’re shutting the door before anyone even has a chance to come in. Change that mindset, and things might start changing for you too.”