The older I get the more I don't enjoy being around people very much.

[dixiegrrrrl]

41. I "divorced" my entire toxic family years ago...it's been great!

Some time ago there was a book, called..."toxic People"..????? something like that.
That book helped me realize it was NOT me, that there are a lot of toxic people around.
I choose to avoid them now. Some of them were family members. Blood is NOT thicker than water, but it can be sicker than water!

My favorite memories are when I was keeping my own company with me, it took me years to realize that is absolutely fine. What I was doing "wrong" was comparing myself to external images that say people are happy in groups.
Our society floods us with the idea people should be outgoing and gregarious and surrounded with lots of friends and family and all of that will make you happy, joyous and etc. (Watch those tv commercials with the sound off and see the messages they are really sending!)
Bullpucky,

I have 2 women friends going on 30 years now. Emails and cards are the way we keep in touch. Works fine.
Have a couple email pals in the last few years ( both of them on DU) who I like very much, we "chat" a lot,
send pics and jokes and stuff, have not met and probably won't. Works fine.

Nothing wrong with being an introvert, really.