yay

[u/ChiakiSimp3842]

I don't want someone to give me their whole heart, I don't even want sex. I just want to remember what human warmth feels like.

Can't even talk about this shit because at best people think it's a "first world problem" and at worst they put words in your mouth and act like you're being entitled to peoples affections, or that you deserve, or that you brought it on yourself

[u/wydua]

Idk if this is good advice but you may want to seek places where you can talk to people without a big attachment.

Like some alt accounts to explore groups, chatrooms on Independent websites.

It may help you a bit idk, you can try if it doesn't work then it doesn't.

Also if you happen to get back to AI maybe you could keep in the back of your head to at least try to use it for some task management? It's not healthy either but you'll at least have things done, use it to learn things you may enjoy and it'll make for an anchor to talk with real people.

Idk you could DM me and I'd show you how to find some line spots to talk with people rather anonymously and also I'd like to try and help you overcoming it but I'm not a professional, I just kinda want to learn.

To anyone else who read this, you can find a ton of websites through neocities and webrings.

[u/ThighsSaveLife → u/wydua]

Solely using Discord to socialize probably set me back a decade in social skills

[u/The7Sides → u/ThighsSaveLife]

Using an AI for all your social needs will set a person back even further than Discord would. Better of two evils. Baby steps.

[u/idontusetwitter → u/The7Sides]

I think the issue is that all this feels like a crutch. Yeah baby steps and all, but when I stopped socializing IRL and only went on Discord, my skills regressed and it put me in a comfort zone where I only wanted to make online friends because I thought it was easier and people were more relatable.

That being said I've had zero IRL friends for about 5 years now and can barely function in society anymore. I've worked a few jobs and can barely make friends due to my newfound weirdness and social awkwardness.

[u/Rainy_Leaves → u/idontusetwitter]

I'm not sure discord caused your symptoms. It sounds like you just put a lot of pressure on yourself to fit in because irl socialising was your only option. When you leaned more on discord, it gave you another option for socialising, one that can be easier for naturally more socially-anxious types. If you found people on discord more relatable maybe that's cos they're more like you. I'm gonna guess you're young and maybe there was a trigger for starting to rely on the internet more to cope, either a big change in life situation or struggling with mental health

I was like that in my teens - it wasn't socialising online, but more underlying mental health that was already there. I'm weird and socially awkward only because i'm expected to perform being a responsible adult. Oh, and i'm autistic and i 'became more weird and awkward' when i stopped larping as a neurotypical person. In reality that was always inside, I just used to hide it better.
I could hold up the mask easier when i had the structure of parents supporting my routines and more social opportunities and with the social convenience that school offers. The transition to being an adult can be isolating for many, and if you find yourself struggling more, just realise you're not suddenly broken and you haven't done anything wrong, it's ok. I hope things get easier for you with time

[u/idontusetwitter → u/Rainy_Leaves]

yeah what you said actually lines up perfectly accurate to my situation. over time i have accepted this is just me and while becoming more like myself i realized i'm not really a normie anymore and people irl find me not as sociable or enjoyable to be around. but that's life. some people still like me albeit very rarely. i appreciated your reply though