I’m struggling to figure out how to make friends without having Instagram or any other social media. I have discord but don’t use it much. I see all my acquaintances in discord channels and sharing Instagram posts and stuff. It’s already hard for me to make friends, but I feel like not having any of the traditional social media means I’m not included in any of that stuff.
Do you just accept that Instagram and shit are the way people interact and use it?
I’m a firm believer in friends through building solidarity. I helped organize a union at my workplace, and became a steward. Being united in struggle has brought me closer to the people around me. If you’re too nervous for that, volunteer for a local cause you care about. If there aren’t any, start organizing your community.
I think it’s just so overwhelming to start from nothing with new people. I have essentially one person in my life who I’ve spent almost 2 decades with. I’ve always had trouble with balance. I have a few acquaintances, but I recently realized I need to have a closer relationship with more than 1 person.
It’s intimidating, but being united in a cause is a pretty powerful force. It brings focus to the energy everyone has and directs it collectively. I was extremely shy and not comfortable with confrontation or being approached at work. Over the course of 2.5 years of organizing and being outspoken, I still like my space but none of that is true about me now. I never knew how to just talk to people at work, but now I’ve gotten pretty good at talking to people I’ve never even met before and can get pretty comfortable with folks I’m closer to.
Everything is a process. Having focus for the purposes of being together is a very strong social lubricant. From there you might find personalities you don’t like, but you’re much more likely to find some friends.