[MissC]

Even back in school days I always shifted my personality based on those around me. Why? So I could fit in and be accepted. I don't know why I feel that it is so important to fit in and be liked. So it does look like I am in the situation that I am in because of my own doing.

Please don't misunderstand -- I didn't tell you that to indicate that you've done something wrong. I just wanted to present a thought exercise, and perhaps introduce to you a different way of looking at things.

Remember your Robert Burns: "O wad some Power the giftie gie us To see oursels as ithers see us!"

However, I will point out that I believe it's a mistake to conflate "fitting in" with "being liked". It's very possible to be a well-liked misfit. Especially so, if you happen to fall into a group of other misfits..!

Anywhere you go, there will be social groups of misfits. And thanks to the internet and things like MeetUp, you can find them.

Knew how to read me, and understood me very well, and vice versa. I don't know what I did, what I didn't do, did I open up too much, did they out grow me, what? I don't know, and never did get back an answer. This does not provide much incentive for opening up. So I struggle in doing so. While I haven't given up yet, it is unfortunately for me a painful process due to personal experiences. So finding a good friend is hard to find, and much easier said than done.

But you won't make any friends until you can open up. And sometimes, even when you do open up, the other party can't or won't.

Sometimes people hurt you. You have two options: forgive, or turn your back. Either way, you can't let it bother you, cloud your judgment, or impede your progress.

Don't waste another minute of your life crying over stuff you can't change. You can't change the past.

Change the stuff you can. You can change the future.