Feeling deflated and sorry for myself about socialising

[PickledElectricity]

I went to a mums and babies song and brunch today with no expectations - just pleased that I left the house and got there on time. Booked and paid in advance so that I HAD to attend.

Everyone was chatting and things were friendly, so I was feeling optimistic. As soon as we got inside, I ended up sitting at the end and the woman next to me kind of turned her back on me and I was isolated. I don't know if she did this on purpose or was just caught up chatting to people.

Not too bad as it was all singing with the babies anyway.

Then the brunch bit - I ended up on a table meant for 8 with 2 other people and the conversation was awkward and strained. I ended up leaving early.

I think I'd got my hopes up because it started off well.

It's going to be a long maternity leave, I am very lonely.

I haven't made a new friend since 2019, and that was through work.

Not sure what the point of all this is.

Please don’t let it bother you.

pick yourself up and try again.

I had loads of experiences like this when I was on mat leave. I also had loads of great experiences.

partly, some of the situations I was in were a bit shit (cliquey, unfriendly people). Partly, I was just very vulnerable and sensitive at that time and took things to heart a lot more than I would have usually.

I can remember really looking forward to an event. It was on a local beach, campfire and songs etc. I had been there for about half an hour and my daughter, around 18 months at this point, was toddling g around and was kind of playing with a little boy. The little boy had a small, plastic horse. The type you would get in a big tub of farmyard animals. Ie nothing particularly desirable or expensive.

The kids were dropping their hotdogs and juice and just generally getting in a mess. My daughter was holding the plastic horse and she was getting covered in juice and tomato ketchup. I took everything out her hands and dumped it on hood of buggy while I quickly grabbed a wipe to clean her up.

The mother of the little boy came up and said “can we have my sons horse back….thanks” and snatched it off the buggy and walked away.

She made me feel like utter crap and like I was intentionally trying to steal a small plastic horse worth about 50p.

I was so upset I just cleaned my daughter up and we left.

Every new mum probably has a story similar.

Please don’t be disheartened. Try again another day.

OP, that sounds disappointing, but you tried! Try again!
Next time, maybe someone will recognise you from the last time.

Do you have any old friends that you can contact/reconnect with?

Do you have a partner? How did you meet your partner?
Does your partner have any friends/partners of friends that you can meet up with?