I barely have any friends and I don't know how to make more....

[bleu-desu]

Some short background: I'm a seventeen year old homeschooled girl who has no idea how to make friends.

Seriously, I have no idea. In the past, making friends just came naturally, like I'd meet someone, and before I knew it, we'd be officially friends. Now it feels like a chore, a complicated process that I have no idea how to go about. I used to have a really big friends group, and I had no problem getting to know people. I have a few friends now, but I don't often hang out with them. My best friend lives 45 minutes away in the middle of nowhere AND is away at camps and classes a lot, so I don't see him much. All of my other friends I've either grown apart from, lost touch with, or are still technically 'acquaintances'.

My problem is, I don't know how or where to make more friends. I don't go to school, and I'm too old for most of the homeschool groups I used to go to. I'm taking all-online part time community college classes, so I don't actually get to interact with any of the people there, and no offense to them, but I don't really know if I'd want to... they're all way older than me. I'm introverted, and most if not all of my interests are things to do alone (drawing, writing, fashion/costume design, reading.) The only social thing I attend is my library's anime club. It's pretty fun, but a lot of those people are either younger than me, or really immature/not very interesting. A few of the friends I do have, I met there, but aside from that, there are only a few other cool people who go, and I'm afraid to approach them.

First of all, where do I go to meet new people? I can't think of anywhere, and I don't know where to look to find new social things to do. Second, how do I become friends with someone? (I know, total life n00b question...) I honestly think I've un-learned how to make a friend. I'm intimidated both to approach people who seem interesting, and to strengthen the beginnings of relationships I have with my acquaintances. How do I get over those things?

(really sorry for the wall of text, I just wanted to give a good amount of details.)

[Miserabilia]

It depends... I don't have much friends, I never really needed that.
If you really want to have more friends though, maybe you can get a job/small job thingy where you work with other people your age

[brendacat]

you can be my friend :)

[badthoughts]

edit

[Zelder]

Honestly I can't help you out here...I'm pretty introverted and have a small group of friends but I was blessed with a twin brother who's pretty much my best friend.

Maybe try to get a part time job? Not only will you meet people, you'll make money while doing it.

[musicbeautycrafts]

I'll be your friend :)

[Walter Powers]

I think Zelder's idea is good; try a part time job.

[Radkae]

I am exactly the same... Friends will come if and when you go to college. I've never been to social but I am really regretting it now since I see more and more people hanging out with friends and experimenting... I never had the chance to do that :( It'll probably be too late for me. But there is time for you!

[Farewell]

If you're into sports, that's how I made quite a few new friends, and I never regretted meeting them as much as I didn't like going to practices/meets (I run track).

Even if that doesn't sound very appealing, perhaps there's a sport that you've always wanted to try, but never have. Who knows - you may be really good at it but just never knew it!

They don't have to be traditional sports such as basketball, volleyball, softball, etc. I'm sure there are numerous sports clubs in your area that carry ping pong or badminton or even disc golf. Give it a try if you'd like - you may be surprised!

Another thing that could allow you to make new friends is to volunteer in your area. There are bound to be people your age that are there for the same reason, and you may end up making a ton of new pals!