I'm lonely but I don't like spending time with people

[Britishsummertime22]

Does anyone else feel like this? Or maybe it's just me.

Story of my life!

Podcasts/TV on in the background, early bed time routine, a pet if feasible.

Maybe you just haven't met many people you actually like? If you're lonely, it's reasonable to assume that you'd like company. Have you got a dog or cat (or even a partner)? Do you work with other people?

Do you attend any clubs or classes? Volunteer? If you can't have pets, but like animals, could you volunteer some time with an animal charity?
Make a new habit. Go to the library or a local cafe at the same time every week. Or a swim. Or a walk. Something where your presence will be noticed after a few weeks. You'll soon have someone remember you and smile at you. If you don't like spending time with people, perhaps this tiny but regular interaction will be enough for you.

I've had times where I've felt lonely but unable to find the right company. Or else there are particular people that I'm missing and other people don't fill that gap.

Same here.

I am neurodivergent and I find socialising and talking to people exhausting.

Even with a good friend I can only last for about an hour in their company before I get completely drained and it takes me a day to recover.

So I mostly do relaxing things like attending a quiet pilates class, swimming, library, sitting in a small quiet cafe, gardening and looking after my pets.

Any noisy, crowded environment that requires a lot of small talk is not for me.

I'm very similar, I do enjoy the company of some people but not many. I would like to have more friends but people often seem very dull and shallow and I'm sure they find me very odd.

But if you are lonely, that means you are looking for someone, you don't want to be completely alone. It means you just haven't met your friends yet.

Yep

I am the same. I don't find company easy but I do like to be with the right person every now and then.

Podcasts have been great for me but it is no replacement for human contact - as awkward as that might be.

It's very difficult for people that feel like this to make new connections and to feel comfortable in other people's presence. I am very jealous of people that manage to socialise effortlessly.

Are any of you DMing each other as a result of these threads? There's a lot of them these days.

I feel this.

I'm not great around other people, unless I've got to know them really well, but even then, i still prefer my own company!

Get a cat (or two....or three)

Podcast or other show on in the background to hear other adults nattering.

Make sure you get out and about even if alone.

Is there a quiet bookclub near you. My local bookshop has one. So people say hello and get a drink and sit in silence and read.
It’s sociable without having to socialise.

Im like this OP. Select few friends and a similar partner

Do you enjoy walking outdoors at all? It really boosts my mood and the times when I'm feeling less social I just walk by myself but still with the group if that makes sense. Other times I fancy a chat. There tends to be room for both.