What am I supposed to change?

Question

I feel I am losing my connection with friends by not being 'myself' around them, not looking right at their eyes. I feel for some reason I would be lying to them somehow if I do. I try to fight this emotion by forcing myself to look at their eyes but when i do this occasionally it seems too 'forced' and it makes things awkward. I am having this much difficulty looking into the eyes of friends/being myself around my friends whom I've known for at least 5 years. I fear that for this same reason I cannot make new friends and worse romantic relationships, which I desire so much. Is it just insecurity, or is it something more? I feel I hate myself sometimes.

Answer 1

Look at their lips. It has the same effect. People just want to be assured that someone is paying attention.

Look up 'active listening," see if that helps..

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Active_list...

Answer 2

I have a girl i have known and been 'friends' with since I was 5. We still talk, but just because we have history, doesnt mean we are really friends. It may be the saem with you. People change, it may be sad but it is true, and you might not be the same person you used to be either. I used to follow my friend around even though I didnt agree with most of the things she did. But i still tagged along, and i felt like I was being honest with myself. I eventuallymade the decision to stop hanging around so much, and I made new friends. You dont need to cut off your ties with her completly, but just because you've known this girl for so long, doesnt mean your actually the best of friends.

The important thing is to be true to yourself, always.