Shy and quiet

[Summer1234567]

I am in my late 30's and have always been shy and quiet. I thought I would grow out of it but I've never changed.

I have a husband and two children, I have no friends, i have a job but no friends at work. I have no friends with school mums. I've tried really hard to make friends but because of the way I speak (so quietly) no one seems interested in speaking to me.
I've joined groups before but everyone already knows each other and I end up sitting on my own and coming home feeling sad. I try to be friendly and smile at everyone but feel I'm coming across the wrong way. I don't like the school run as I'm the only mum that stands on my own.

Lately I feel really lonely and isolated, I want to change and be a confident person but don't know how to change. Is there anyone with advice?

I am the same. We lived down south and we had friends and a social life. Even my friends from Scotland would come visit occasionally and my family. Then we moved back to Scotland and suddenly I don't see any friends. I talk to 2 of them online (from my early childhood) but very rarely see them. I don't drive and we live quite a bit away from them. We make plans but they always get cancelled.

I work and everyone seems to like me as I am told constantly how much they like working with me but none of them ever invite me out with them. I have mentioned it a few times but it's never gone beyond that.

My sisters don't really spend much time with me either. They have their own lives and friends so it's a once in a blue moon thing for us to spend time together.

My hubby is the same. His friends are down south. He visits occasionally and keeps in touch online. He also has work friends but rarely sees them as they all work from home and as we live so far out, it's difficult for us to meet up with others.

My kids are 10 and 14 so no groups to meet people here. The place we live is a small town, very cliquey. Plus they all think the same way, like all the same things... It's boring. We're trying to move but it's very difficult.

I am so lonely 😔