Echoing the D3 recommendation... that stuff is amazing. It really just boosts your entire outlook on life, making you emotionally healthy so to speak, while a paleo diet does that as well as makes you physically healthy.

Beyond that, the hardest part is just getting out there and doing. It is so easy to just sit at home, be miserable, and say it's easier than going out and getting rejected or having to interact with people. I used to use the excuse that with me being a complete loner that I was, in essence, making myself stronger. In reality, all I was doing was making excuses.

I was lonely. All I wanted was a friend, someone to spend time with and someone to talk to. I put myself out there both socially in person and online and never got anywhere. I recently met a woman who is just absolutely head-over-heels for me and I feel the exact same way about her, and I owe it to these things:

Take risks. Put yourself out in situations that you normally would feel uncomfortable in. See a beautiful (wo)man? Approach them, talk to them. So what if you come off as awkward... some (wo)men think it's cute. See something you want to try? Do it. Say YES more than you say NO.

Be confident. Even if you don't feel it, act it anyways. I had the unfortunate tendency to over-thinking everything and never being sure of myself. Decide on a course of action, do it, stick to it, and be sure of why you're doing it. Even if things don't go your way, at least you tried and you learned something from it. If you're doing, you're learning from your experiences, and that's the most valuable thing in life.

Appreciate people. Go out of your way to make people feel special, and they'll return the favor. Remember their names to start and then use their names. People really like seeing and hearing their names, Derrick. Remember things they've told you. Ask them how they're doing, or specific things about them. Listen, be attentive, be interacting, and show people that you actually care about what they have to say.

Try new things. Do absolutely anything new where you have to interact with people. Take a motorcycle riding class at the community college. Find a weekend fitness class in the park to take part in. Just get out there and learn the fine art of interacting with people. Online dating is really popular and works. Just put yourself out there but don't get discouraged, it won't happen overnight.

I hope I've helped, even though it feels and looks like I've just written a self-help book.

Join a community garden. You'll meet like minded people and help grow healthy organic food. You can also volunteer in a school or a soup kitchen. My husband and i personally met people by, don't laugh, table top gaming and My husband LARPs. Sure it's dorky but you meet a lot of really interesting, smart people. We serve healthy food at our d&d games. Good cheese, dried Italian sausage, veggies, etc. It's not all mountain dew gluggling basement trolls.

Also try meetup.com. You can find all sorts of groups to join by your interest. There are religious groups, athiest groups, real foodies, paleo, Rock climbers, dog lovers. All sorts of stuff. Get out of your house and meet people!

I would encourage you to supplement with Vit D3 at 10000IU a day for a couple of months..then back off to 5,000IU per day. This is not really a vitamin, but a hormone and it does wonders in changing one's outlook on life.

In addition, just the elimination of sugar and wheat products can assist you in becoming gregarious.

You have to change your thoughts to change your condition. And trying to change your thoughts will only succeed in trying to change your thoughts. You must arrive at thought change. There is no try, there is only do...to quote a short little green creature with pointy ears.

If you continue to talk about being lonely, guess what you get...being lonely. Change your thoughts.

I used to somewhat be in the same boat as you. I chose to be anti social because of the trouble that my now awesome brother got in during high school and college years while I was in middle school and then early years of high school.

It sucked ass. I went out occasionally but hated it. I was 100% against drinking of any kind.

My life has taken a complete 180 since going Primal 14 months ago. It's amazing.

I am doing everything I can to not only grow the primal community but to bring it closer together as well. Primal Con changed my life in that it made me realize how important community is.

Derrick,

May I ask you where you live? Just city, state? There is no question that there are dozens of "cavemen" living within 20 miles of you. It's tough to find them but they are there. I have a primal meetup group list on my blog and will be updating it soon. It's possible there is already one near where you live. If not, I am sure I can find someone to create one where you live soon.

I'd be glad to help.

/Oh man I totally relate. I've become a hermit due to some bad circumstances and it is not easy to just go out and meet people. Once you're in such a state it just festers. But eating well and some meditation has provided me what I need to get out. Sometimes I'm so scared of what people will think of me but just getting into crowds is a great small step. Really start to turn your self loathing around. For every negative thing you think immediately think of something positive even if you don't really believe it. I love the idea of gaming or even going to church. I'm not religious but the universalists have some kick ass activities. A paleo meetup is an awesome idea too. Don't push yourself. Take small steps. Make a point to say hello to one person a day and build on it little by little.

So glad you reached out. That is a huge step you just took.

To feel that you are part of a tribe/clan or group that accepts you, supports you and also relies on you is as essential for your health as is eating Paleo. Humans are, indeed social creatures. To be part of some sort of clan(s) is genetically-required for health and is no less (nor more) important than "eating paleo." Your thoughts and emotions about your life situation have just as profound an effect on your body's cellular environments as does your physical activity and diet.

"99% of the time humans have lived...we’ve lived in groups of 12 to 36 people..."-Margaret Mead

http://books.google.com/ebooks/reader?printsec=frontcover&output=reader&retailer_id=android_market_live&id=fZka5w4AxnMC&hl=en

If you want to "live paleo" you have got to "find your tribe(s)".

Try sitting down and doing a very honest, written self assessment. Beyond your feelings what are your thoughts about yourself. I am a great believer that negative self judgements precede most negative, fearful feelings. Self talk is very, very important and whether we are aware of it or not, we are engaging in self talk all the time.

Try to step back from yourself and utilize an observing self, or what I sometimes call a "watchman." Sit your "watchman" on your shoulder and take a good look at you, though his eyes. Write what you see, feel, etc.

Write what makes you happy - what you enjoy - what gets you going and fired up, or what you imagine would. Imagine activities and situations you'd like to be in. What are they? What is stopping you from becoming a part of these situations/activities?

What are your strenghts? What inherent strengths do you have that could be developed further? IF you draw a blank and genuinely feel like you don't know, consider checking with the nearest community college's learning center. They can do all kinds of apptitude/interest testing that can give you some clues.

Take a good honest look at what you are doing in your life. You are not enrolled in school and you do not mention work. How are you spending your days? How are you living?

If you do not currently feel motivated to attend school, perhaps you need more experiece in life and with other people to learn more about yourself and what your interests and strenghts are. Consider checking out national programs like Americorps/VISTA, which has programs - thousands - in all areas, all over the country. You make a commitment, they pay you a living allowance/stipend, and you come out after a year with lots more self knowledge/confidence, $5,500.00 to apply toward schooling of your choice, health insurance for the year you are with them, mentoring/training in the program of your choice, and many colleges/unis that are interested in AMericorps alums and give you a tuition break and a number that have matching programs. And of great importance is that you work in an important job which helps/provides skills to others. There are also many workplaces, including many non-profits that are very interested in alums.

Here's a place to start: http://www.americorps.gov/

It sounds like you are pretty down. You need to know that things can change and that you can change them. Will it take effort and risk. Yes. But it all starts by wanting that change and mustering up the willingness to take action. Take_a_step. And_then_another.

My best to you and making the change you are seeking and finding the support in the process that will be helpful to you. Good on you that you had the courage to put your stuff out here. ;) (You see, THAT is a strength right there..;) )

Do some volunteering in an area that interests you. Join a meet-up group. Join a summer sports league. There are many ways to meet new people other than school.

If I may make a few book recommendations:

• http://www.amazon.com/Depression-Cure-6-Step-Program-without/dp/0738213888/
• http://www.amazon.com/Learned-Optimism-Change-Your-Mind/dp/1400078393/
• http://www.amazon.com/Undoing-Depression-Therapy-Doesnt-Medication/dp/0316043419/
• http://www.happinesshypothesis.com/

Read any two.

I'm not saying you're depressed, but you don't need to be a professional chef to enjoy a cookbook...

I don't know that anybody here can solve your situation, but hope you meet some nice people soon.

How's your food intake been? I know you've been really hard on yourself in the past couple of weeks with the food in your parents' house tripping you up. I know when I get into those yoyo sort of circumstances my mood is always altered. Things that I could have easily taken in stride one day really weigh on me the next. It makes things terribly difficult.

I know that doesn't really answer your question, per se, but sometimes just being conscious of potential cause and effect can make all the difference.

This question and all the sweet and helpful answers just made me join up.

Keep posting Derrik.

And, pick five of your favorite things listed in these answers. Do them and report back.

Although, personally, I believe you should start with the nutrition advice. That will make a huge difference.

Get off the internet and meet people - try enrolling in school.

When I moved to FL I went through many years of being lonely because I had no community, and I'm just a little (a lot) too weird to blend in to the most obvious places. When I moved back here, I ended up experiencing a different kind of loneliness, while being surrounded by people, but none who understood me.

In the long run, all of that pain made me stronger. In retrospect, I wish I had used more of that time and energy feeling lonely by doing more research about all kinds of things, and just learning in general. If you think college interests you, even a class or two at a community college, go for it. The times in FL I made the most friends was when I was in community college. Many of the friendships didn't last, but they sure enriched the time in a good way, and kept my intellect churning.

Hang in there. Music always helped me a lot. I like the idea of getting involved in a community garden if you have one around. You also have us, Derrick Rose.

Know that you are like a caterpillar who will eventually emerge into something even more special. The down side is that means you will expect more from your friends and surroundings, but the upside is that you will become a greater and more developed YOU.

Just keep working on whatever it means to be the best YOU that you can be...

Make an effort to go out and meet people. You'll fail at least as often as you succeed, but the successes will be very worthwhile for you, it seems like. Could you try enrolling in school? Working? Pursuing a hobby? Practice makes perfect, and that goes for social skills too. Get out there and take some risks. I'm pretty introverted myself, so I can understand this is hard, but sometimes you just gotta do it.

Also, are you by any chance an INTJ personality type?

Are you interested in any hobbies? Meetup.com has a lit of groups in your area that meet for certain interests like hiking, cycling, gaming, etc.

I would add...

Join the army/navy/marines. Or join a martial arts gym!

You could look into "event and adventures" http://www.lotsofevents.com/EventCalendar/about It is designed as a dating service but it looks like it has lots of fun outings planned and it could be a easy way to meet other people that are also interested in meeting other people.

Don't give up! You will find your tribe it will just take some time. But the good stuff is worth the wait!

Unfortunately the world has become a lonely place with people choosing to text, email etc. rather than have real conversations in person. I think everyone is affected.

You might want to start each day with a journal with some positive affirmations. Start looking for things that are right in your life and you'll see more.

You'll also have to put yourself in the uncomfortable position of reaching out to people (like you did with your post,) and perhaps suffer some rejection…but the upside is you'll also meet some new friends.

Crossfit gyms are amazing sources of new like minded friends if you can afford one, and the meet up groups someone mentioned are great.

Just know there are people who are just as lonely as you are who are waiting for YOU to reach out to them.

Hang in there, this too shall pass.

I had a few bad years myself and was quite depressed. I was fortunate to have a good supportive family but tended to isolate myself from them and the few friends I kept in touch with. I then took the advice of one of my friends who stuck with me and joined a CrossFit gym. I met a lot of great people, one of which was a minister at a local Methodist church. I started showing up at his church (even though he never even asked or indicated I should attend), and then I had two places where I knew that people cared about me - the CrossFit gym and the church. CrossFit is not for everyone, and church/religion can sound cliche, but they are both options. Ultimately, people care about you (see the posts on this site). You just need to get out of the isolation and go find them. I'm the healthiest I have been in years thanks to the friends I've found at these places.

Derrick,

I'd second a lot of the recommendations here, but especially volunteering. First, it's free (well, except maybe public transport to get to wherever). Second, there are all sorts of studies showing that helping other people will literally make you happy. Third, it will get you into a new environment, where you get to be yourself in a new way and that might really help you to be who you really want to be in all the areas of your life. Check to see if Atlanta has a Volunteer Center, that serves as a clearinghouse for opportunities. Do you go to church or have any interest in that? There are always lots of volunteer opportunities there. Or you could probably just show up at any nursing home or animal shelter and say you want to volunteer and they'd be thrilled.

Not socializing will drive anybody crazy. I have first-hand experience.

Anyway, why not find somewhere else to socialize if you don't go to school? That's not the only place people socialize, ya know.

Try enrolling in college or atleast some classes. Also give Meetup.com a look.

Derrick,

I would encourage you to find a group of people in your community that will have a postive influence on your life. It could be a church. It could be volunteering to help handicapped children ride horses. It could be almost anything.

Your time and talents can make a real diffrence in other peoples lives. This is also a good place to work with and meet other people.

Wishing you all the best - Eric

If you can find some kind of group, be it a class, or religious community, or volunteering ar the local Ronald McDonald House, you will meet others who will become important to you. We did evolve as social beingS, and it is very impotant to find others with whom to spend time. Look into some of the Meet-up groups you can find online, or start one. I grew up in the back-of-beyond and I wouLd be so lonesome in summers, so I hope you are in a more urban/suburban setting. You won't regret making the effort.

Derrick,

You might want to try Seth Robert's protocol of watching faces in the morning for improving mood. The basic idea is that watching faces in the morning pushes a few evolutionary buttons and we end up feeling better the next day. I've tried it and it seems to work pretty well. Obviously, I'd much prefer pushing those evolutionary buttons with actual humans, but I suspect this sort of improvement helps me get closer to making those relationships possible.

Meeting people and making friends is easy, just like paleo is easy as Nike says 'just do it'. We choose how/why we act, no one else has that power over us.

Read EndGame.

It WILL change your life.

http://www.attractioninstitute.org/book/endgame

or you could get over yourself...