In 2021 I dropped out of college and became a shut-in. I was ashamed of myself and barely left the house. After all, people would think of me as unkept, unproductive, etc. I didn't want to confront stigma, but I kept busy by contributing to open source projects. One of those projects ended up landing me a good job, and I’ve lost 50 pounds since then, so I feel less scared of rejection.
That said, I spent years in near-complete isolation. Like, I literally left the house only twice this week and that was just to buy food.
I’m 26. I know this is a subreddit for men in their 30s, but I think we all could use some paternal insight. I want a normal life, but I worry I’d just come off as creepy or boring. I don’t know how to make friends or where to find activities I’d actually share with people. Everyone says to “go to shared activities,” but where and is it even practical for someone who can't drive in the car-centric suburbs? Is it easier in a major city, like Chicago or Miami?
Is isolation even something one can realistically overcome? I’ve never heard of real story about a lonely guy actually breaking through those barriers, just hypotheticals. I've heard of generic “just put yourself out there” advice, but does anyone have real anecdotes of the timid guy eventually developing vibrant social lives?