Is friendship important to you? How has friendship impacted your life?

I think for people with chronic illness like us friends are so important, but good ones can be hard to find. When I was diagnosed I lost a few, they either believed I was making up my condition (fibromyalgia) or they believed me and were there to support me in my bad days and good. They can be rare, but true friends are so important.

Friendship is someone who is there for you no matter how you are feeling.  You can have good days where you are smiling and some bad days where you need someone to lean on.  For me this has an impact on my life.  Friendship is powerful and a comfortable feeling.

Hello my name is Deborah.

I just moved to San Tan Valley in July and haven’t made any friends yet. 
I have depression and anxiety would like to talk with others.

@Deb213   Well, I suggest that you go to gyms, grocery stores, hobby shops, libraries, museums, book stores, fast-food restaurants . . . places that you like, and strike up a conversation with other patrons. Introduce yourself to your neighbors, tell them that you're new in the area and ask if they have any suggestions as to restaurants, stores, places of interest. If you see someone who may need help like opening a door, carrying groceries, managing a toddler . . . help them, introduce yourself, talk to them. Not everyone you encounter will end up being a friend but if you don't engage with people then you have no chance at all at finding a friend. 

I didn't have a lot of friends personally growing up...I am fortunate now to have changed that... I was shy, and a very sensitive child back then...My close friends now are not getting together as much because of the Covid-19 Virus that with us right now...I'll be glad to get together with them once this all clears up...I am a loner, most of the time, anyway... I like my own company... Anyway, I've changed...

I am a loner also and very shy. But, I still would rather stay home than go out with friends. 

@wreed61499 I am a loner too and stayed home a lot even before covid. My husband is the social person but my friends mean a lot and I was blessed with some wonderful ones that are there for me as much as I need. Even being married I spend a lot of time alone but they all respect that as I respect their lives. Even doing work I am more apt to work on projects alone and like it that way unless it's helping a friend do something they need. My mom use to call me "too independent" as a slam but I always took it as a compliment. It's my strenght and it gets me through a lot. I lost my little sister (almost 14 years younger) to ovarian cancer 12 years ago when she was  39. The age gap never made a difference, we finished each other sentences, one time we were partners in Pictionary and I touched my pencil to the page and she guessed it. I never drew a line. I spent every hospital stay with her. I miss her so much. I'm sorry, this isn't helping you but I have a problem being in groups of people even when they are all friends. hen I used to drink it was a little easier. I always thought I was shy. My friends and husband called BS on me but I have since found it's because I am empathic and feeling so many peoples feeling at one time made me feel so uncomfortable & at times almost sick. hat I tried to  do was get one person off to the side and talk with them. Concintrating on that person totally made it easier. I can't stand covid but it does illuminate crowds.

I agree with you that going one on one is much easier than being with others. I never liked going to parties and if I had to go to one, I would try to find a nice quiet place that no one was at. 

@wreed61499 So sorry I haven't been on here much and didn't see your response. This covid thing and the election has taken up a lot of my time. I just wish the 20th of Jan. was here so we could have a president that cared about saving some lives.                                                                                                                                                                Do you have a lot you like doing at home? I am never bored so that helps a lot. In fact lots of times it seems there are not enough hours in the day. Right now I have 3 abandoned kittens that I feed about every 4 hours. 2 of them are eating from a bowl now but one won't give up the bottle. I'm beginning to believe he may be the only full-grown cat someday, that I still have to feed a bottle. Do you have any pets? They can be a lot of company and show a lot of love.                                                                                                                                                                                         You know I have found that there really aren't coincidences.ome of my closest friends happened in some very odd ways. They were meant to happen and they turned out to be the strongest and best. Many others can be good acquaintances and friends but not good friends. 2 of my close friends live many states away and we talk often and will always be close. One of them, her parents lives in WI.(my state) & started going out with a guy that my husband & I knew. He brought her to our place and she was going through a bad time & depressed after a nasty divorce & losing custody of her kids. We hit it off and have been great friends ever since that day. Both our lives went through some hard things but shortly after we met she made it back to the state where her kids were, we went through all the ups and downs together. We don't see the guy that brought her to our place, so that was the only way we ever would have met. The friendship was meant to be & the distance makes no difference at all. You can't make good friends, they happen when they are suppose to.

@leidemoss One thing I never have to worry about is being bored. I am a rural mail carrier and especially this time of the year, I am very busy and get home pretty late at night.  Sunday is usually the only time that I get time to relax and in December I won't even be able to do that because they want us to work Sundays in December because of all of the Christmas Packages.

I don't have any pets right now because of all of the hours that I work. It would not be fair to them if I am hardly home for them. If I ever decide to retire, I would love to get a Golden Retriever. They are such nice animals and very friendly. I have a few on my mail route that I just adore.  Take Care!