How to function in society as a homeschooled, (likely) neurodivergent, codependent?
Sorry if this is kind of all over the place, I've tried to write this multiple times and I think this is the best I'm gonna get.
I'm 22 years old and I've never had a job or been to school. I also have no real life friends and no close friends online.
I think most of my problems come from my codependency on my parents. They homeschooled me and generally sheltered me, which has obviously led to me being very oblivious and awkward, and now I rely on them heavily to speak for me (make appointments, order for me in restaurants, and even answer simple questions from strangers.) But in addition to this, I would not be shocked if I was diagnosed with autism and/or STPD.
When I go to places that I frequent, most people act like they don't like me or are even offended by my presence. If I had to guess it's probably due to the lack of eye contact and the fact that when they try to speak to me I likely seem uninterested, although I really just don't know what to say.
I'm also just generally boring because of my inability to talk about anything (especially myself, despite having multiple hobbies.) Conversations with me immediately become uncomfortable after I've run out of questions to ask the other person.
I guess mostly I'm just asking if anyone who was in a similar situation has any advice for a way out of this.
Posted Aug 7, 2025, 12:53 AM UTC