Hey @Oaktree
I would love a hot chocolate definitely!
Yeah I hear you on the friends front, I used to have a fairly tight circle of friends or so I thought before I was diagnosed. I used to teach and compete in martial arts and was part of a team of coaches and athletes, but after I fell unwell I had to give it away and I guess once you are out of the loop that's it and all the friendships dropped away.
I definitely cocoon myself away from people, more so when I'm not well. It's the only way I know how to cope and as you've said people don't understand our behaviour when we are not feeling the best.
I saw a meme the other day and it was 2 people talking. One said, "You look tired today." And the other answered, "I'm tired every day, except today I don't have the energy to pretend I'm not."
That's how I feel when I am around people. That I am pretending, because they just wouldn't understand me otherwise. And because I'm losing the energy to pretend anymore, I prefer to just hangout here on the forums where we don't have to pretend.
Where we can embrace who we are wholeheartedly and know that we will be heard, supported, validated and accepted.
If I could find that connection in real life it would be wonderful, but I'm afraid I've given up hope it will ever happen.
I hope you enjoyed your hot chocolate xx
BB 🐰💙