I struggle with friendship
My entire life I’ve always felt like an outcast. This could’ve have something to do with growing up as a non religious asian kid in Mormon Utah, but my family moved when I was in middle school, and I kind of continued to feel that way. I’ve had two very close friendships, but each of them ended due to a combination of toxic behavior (from both of us) and growing apart. Right now I’m in college with probably one or two close friends, although I get the feeling that they dont really see me for who I am. I hang out with them and it’s fun, but I can’t shake the feeling that theres people out there I could be better friends with, since our humor and personalities aren’t the most compatible. Many times I feel like i’m toning my personality down to be more palatable. Other than that, I know a lot of acquaintances. Many of these people I study with and meet every once in a while for lunch, but that’s it. There’s one acquaintance of mine I really want to become good friends with, since I find her to be so funny and cool, but i’ve been trying for two years now and she has her own close knit group and to put it plainly her and her friends so pretty and cool i could actually never hope to actually become one of them. I know popularity isn’t a thing in college but social status and looks sure are. Aside from her there’s really no one in my life I would actively pursue becoming friends with. This is probably because I only interact with my roommates and classmates, and they generally are not my type of people. I’m in my third year now and starting to feel so hopeless about everything. I have no friend group, no social circle, and i’m beyond depressed and embarrassed about it. I have a boyfriend who is wonderful and I love dearly, but I also want friends who I feel the same about. I can’t even go on Instagram these days because I get so jealous and sad seeing everyone having fun with their friends. Why can’t I connect with people? What am I doing wrong?
Posted Sep 1, 2026, 4:37 PM UTC