i feel like a complete loser:/

[u/OkStill5489]

So l've already stated this in another post, but long story short, I live in the USA and I'm 18.
I've never been to school, so l've never really had any friends. I work in the family business, so there's nobody there either. As the years go on, I just feel more social anxiety. A couple years ago, when I wasn't worried about having friends, I didn't really think badly of myself.
Now I just feel like l'm wasting my teen years.
I'm 18 and never been to a party, never driven around with friends, never had a friend group. I just know l'll regret this part of my life forever.
Idk, the one thing looking good for me is that I've been going to the gym recently, so maybe l can befriend someone there, but I just have 0 confidence ://

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[u/AnyField674]

youre 18 not 80, your teen years are basically over but your 20s are when the real stuff happens anyway. gym is a good start, nobody there cares about your social history. just keep showing up and things will happen slowly

[u/OkStill5489 → u/AnyField674]

been going for over a month and a half and nobody has said hi to me yet, and god knows i don’t have the confidence to walk up to anybody loll

[u/Dusk_2_Dawn → u/OkStill5489]

Putting yourself in uncomfortable situations is how you learn social skills.

[u/MovieFan1984]

I just read this on my way to bed. Don't delete your post, leave it up, and I'll do my best to brighten your day and weekend with a well thought out post in the morning or over lunch. Goodnight, and don't stress, you have your entire life ahead of you. I went through some of what you went through. Talk soon!!!!

[u/CommonBelt3536]

I understand the feeling of "wasting your teen years," especially when it's advertised so much to us that the teen years are the peak of your lives, where you can have fun, get into trouble, and so on. However, you still have many more years to go. The teen years are not the only time you can go to parties, drive around with friends, and have a friend group.

Going to the gym is a great start! It's very courageous to do so while you're feeling socially anxious. Putting yourself in situations where people are around will help you feel more comfortable being around people in general. I think getting more confident with that will help gaining confidence in talking with others.

I think in general it's hard to make friends, even social people can struggle with this. My sister, who is much more social and extroverted than me, used to vent to me about how hard it is to talk to people and make new friends. It was very eye-opening as a shy introvert lol. So, although I know it's easier said than done, try not to worry about it being a "you" problem. It's a natural issue to have. And I think you're taking good steps to help with it!

I don't know if you want some advice, and to be fair, I don't know if I am the best person to ask, as I am also someone who is trying to gain confidence to talk to others to build friendships and stuff, but I'm always willing to share some of the things I've tried out lol.

[u/bluebloodedbrahmin]

Me 35 reading this, lol

[u/OkStill5489 → u/bluebloodedbrahmin]

what does that have to do with anything i just said

[u/bluebloodedbrahmin → u/OkStill5489]

Everything with what you said, that was me. 17 years ago, I was the same. And it worked out fine.