20M – Is it wrong to stop trying to make friends after repeatedly being burned?
I (20M) feel like I’m at a point where I don’t want to make new friends anymore. I’ve been burned so many times that I don’t trust my judgment or other people’s intentions.
In middle school, my first friend group basically bullied me for two years before slowly including me. Even then, they ditched me for my ex, mocked my habits, talked badly about my family/pets, and let me spend hundreds on them without reciprocating (100% my fault).
In high school, I had sports friends. I became captain senior year, but most of those friendships were surface-level and fizzled after graduation.
In college, I kept trying fresh starts:
* Tried a fraternity: felt shallow and competitive, so I left.
* Tried ROTC: friendships felt forced and image-based.
* Transferred schools.
At my new school, I bonded with my roommate (21M). Later, I found out multiple women called him a creep. Over Christmas break, he showed up drunk/high to my house, sent explicit photos to my sister, and tried to hook up with her there. We obviously don’t talk anymore.
An old teammate (19M) transferred in, so I roomed with him junior year. He quickly distanced himself, stopped including me, and only spoke to me when he needed the room for..... You know.
Earlier this year, I gave my original friend group another chance, thinking they matured. I found a folder on one of their (21M) computers with photos of girlfriends/siblings/classmates photoshopped naked. That was the final straw.
At this point, I feel cynical. I have an amazing family and girlfriend (22F) who genuinely care about me. I’m tempted to stop trying to make friends altogether and just invest in them.
So:
* Is it unhealthy to just focus on family/girlfriend and stop pursuing friendships?
* What is it that I may be doing wrong?
* Should I keep giving people chances?
* How do I rebuild trust in people?
* What do I do when GF/Family/Pets are away?
**TL;DR:**
20M who’s been repeatedly burned by friends (bullying, betrayal, creepy behavior, selfish roommates). I have a great family and girlfriend, but I’ve lost trust in friendships. Is it unhealthy to stop trying to make new friends and just focus on the people who actually care about me?
Posted Feb 19, 2026, 9:59 PM UTC