HI Jann R, have a fun time playing...

I have no friends...I have been let down so many times by so called "friends" that I have lost trust in people and lost interest in trying to make friends.

I have no friends and am quite lonely at times. However, I do not have the complications of friendships. I am not a likeable people pleaser so that could be a reason for it. I have depression/anxiety and find being in social situations excrusiatingly painful. I think being alone will limit my life but Im ok with that

The effects is exactly what Natalie said I know from experience

You don't have to listen to any BS from them. You don't have to be obligated to do things for them (some "friends" are so needy that they are painful to be friends with and have weird ideas about what it means to be a friend like YOU must call them back immediately but they don't have to call you back at all, you must drop everything for them, but they don't have to reciprocate etc). You won't feel the pressure of having to take sides or stand up for your right to be neutral if friend a hates friend b or has a spat with them. You won't be pressured into choosing your friends over your family. You will have FREEDOM to do what you want, when you want it and not have to please everybody all the time. Same pitfalls of having intimate relationships without the intimacy. You can choose to be social or a hermit without judgement as you are not living your life for anybody but yourself. If you are lonely, you might want to look in why you are lonely as friends and relationships will not fix loneliness (these are deeper issues). You can only be happy in relationships when you are happy and comfortable with yourself.Edited 29-Jan-24 06:44am

I’ve used this quote many times and it still applies “friends come into your life for reasons, seasons and/or life time’s” and when you practice self love/care, you attract like minded people, has been my experience. We all have free will, and freedom to choose…

Issolation

I Love myself so when I have no friend's I am OK.

Hi Susan KTC....HAVE A NICE DAY...

My dog is my best friend!

Peace and less problems

never bothered me to have friends,even though i had many, happy in my own skin..

It has it's positives. You're self reliant and more likely to getting things done without interruptions. During Covid they probably did a lot better than those used to social interaction. More people are going off grid to get away from the rat race. Then there are Doomsday Preppers who intend to be isolated, I'd rather be one of them than someone who is relying on someone else to save the day. Please excuse me...I have to check I have 200 toilet rolls, 50 baked beans, 500 litres of water....🤣

Well, sometimes having friends causes more stress and anxiety. We need to choose wisely to avoid disappointment. One can have many acquaintances with very few actual, trusted friends. I am totally happy being alone if it means keeping out those who can make your life challenging. I like having friends (some) but enjoy my alone-ness.

I'm my best friend.

I guess it works both ways stress and no stress with no friends but I think loneliness would be the biggest effect

One side effect could even be less stress of not having to choose sides and just being able to talk to who, where and what you want to. You can be your true self at all times.

Isolationism and lack of self-confidence, as well as a certain barrier to developing social skills necessary to interact successfully with others result.

I think it is important to have friends, someone to have a coffee with and have a chat and a laugh with go out with. I have read through some of your messages, some of them I find very sad. I could be a friend for some of you. Maybe we should set up a social page on rewardia .😀

thats true. You need to have someone to talk to

You do not grow mentally. Being by yourself is lonely and causes anxiety.

Having friends when growing up helped me developed my life skills and stabilized my mental health, role identity and social responsibility as an individual and member of the community.

They always say it is unhealthy to not have friends and causes an earlier death, and health problem, etc. My uncle who died at the age of 97 defied all of that. He lived alone for most of his life, was mentally alert and in good health. He was happiest doing his own thing and had his hobbies. When we would go over to see him he was always in a good mood. There is no one size fits all. I am not as extreme as my uncle but dont need many people at all. I can keep busy for a long time, and am happy. If you are not happy with yourself friends arent going to make you any happier.

Much less Christmas shopping.....A much better organised life with independence and peace...Less people hitting you up for favours.....Cheaper phone bills.....Define "friends".....Friends are people who care about you....Who are prepared to put their own self interest asside for others ?????? That variety of human beings has been extinct for decades....My Staffie is my best friend....And he keeps me warm in Winter...What more could you want from a friend.

In the scenario you describe - having no friends 'could' affect your mental health and physical health. However, having 'no friends' means less 'drama' and 'stress' in your life. In my humble opinion - What is going to negatively affect your mental health and your physical health the most is (?): Do you like yourself whether you have friends or you do not have friends?Edited 30-Jan-24 00:00am

Lonliness, isolation causing low self-esteem

I was trying to decide on what bird seed to buy at the grocery store when a woman came up to me and mentioned what she used and why. The conversation flowed to other things. The unexpected was shared between us and a lot of laughter. I came away energized and grateful for the experience. Loneliness is devastating to our well being. Reaching out to someone if you want to can be hard to do but it can have its rewards. Best wishes!Edited 29-Jan-24 02:28am

I have no friends all I need is me

I just talk to myself. No biggie

save money miser complex

I was a loner. It brings on neurosis,

Isolation, no support system, no one to check in on you. It’s hard to imagine that no cares enough to be a friend. It’s unhealthy.

It's more lonely to have the wrong friends, which happened to me often enough so that I don't mind being by myself.

The last time I had a friend, my ex partner told them to go away. I live alone now. I only go out twice a week for a walk. Don't have any friends anymore. , too afraid to make any.Edited 29-Jan-24 00:56am

I don't agree! I think loneliness is a state of mind. Not everyone is overcome by anxiety nor depression. Many people love living alone. You can be lonely in a crowd. You are not an expert on being alone, so don't bother to try and judge everyone who is. Stress? Impede sleep? Where do you get this from? It's ok to know people but it's a pain if you live in their pockets so to speak. I think people who cannot be alone for long are maladjusted. They need people to make them happy. I can take people, and I can leave people. I value being alone as I'm not distracted by other people. I get more done in life that way. It's better than being a needy person that needs others all the time. I've known others that lived alone and they still had friends.

i luv alone time

I only have acquaintances. It does not really bother me. I found friends often stressed one out with all their problems and more over never wanted to hear anyone else's. My best friend was my sister but sadly she passed nearly 5 years ago. Some people like to have a lot of people in their lives. I am not one of them.

Loneliness, isolation, and poorer mental health with no friends in life.

I definitely think people need friends. But good "real" friends. Through life you get a lot of acquaintences who may or may not be honest with you - the biggest gift you can have is real friends who will be honest with you. I am SO LUCKY. I have 4 really good friends. I will add here - YOU also have to be a good honest friend back. WORKS BOTH WAYS. Edited 29-Jan-24 00:13am