I'm 19, lonely, bored, depressed & I have no friends. What do I do?

[Chelsea]

Like I said I'm 19 and I'm extremely lonely. Right now I have one close friend who I see maybe every few weeks. She has other friends who she sees often, I sometimes go out for drinks with them but they're not 'my friends' if you know what I mean?

My old best friend has recently gotten into a relationship and doesn't hang out with her friends anymore. I'm an only child and even my cousin, whom I was close with, has new friends now and doesn't want to hang out.

I started university last year and made a few friends, but they all live too far away and we aren't really that close. I see them during classes and we get along good but I can't hang out with them all the time as they have their own friends, and live too far away.

I've had a sort of relationship this year but that came to nothing and we don't speak anymore. I'm just so bored and lonely. I love spending time with my family but there is only so much time I can spend wih them. I just want to go watch a movie with a friend, go grab a bite to eat or just drive around chatting as listening to music. I'm literally stuck in my bedroom most of the week, when I'm not working or studying.

I'm just at a loss. I don't know what to do. I can't afford to join a gym or something like that. How can I meet new people. I

[Amber]

i understand completely!!! i just moved to a new city where i knew absolutely no one!! NO ONE!!! it brought along a new sense of autonomy that was both empowering and depressing all at the same time. While i was happy to not see the same people all the time I was completely alone and the desire to have at least one friend can be unbearable. I started small with facebook seeking out people that liked the same hangouts(resturants/clusbs/ets) and added them and slowly got to know them better. i also used meetup.com it allowed me find groups based on hobbies and interest. it was nice to find friends that liked what i liked instead of the usual friend who is there bc they've always been. good luck and look up! it takes time but equal effort you will meet people if you actively seek them out!

[Wi Tu Lo]

Go to a church
Volunteer at a food bank or medical clinic or animal shelter or something
join a free (or almost free) amateur sports league like volleyball or something
take a dog to a dog park

[Colby]

Well, congrats at starting at a university. What are you studying? Normally, you will find loads of group activities at your school that you could join and meet new people.

I was in the astronomy club back in the day and it was fun, met people had fun. I enjoyed playing billiards, made friends to play against at clubs from time to time, had fun. Played/performed guitar - met people had fun. Got back into church, became a lector minister - met people had fun....

You need to find things that interest you and do them. Involve yourself in group or community activities.

What are your hobbies, interests?

[Charles]

there are lots of ways to meet new friends..try online sometime you can meet cool people online

[Kaitou Kid]

I understand completely. Im in the same situation minus the close cousin thing.I too am at a loss for how to make friends. All of my old friends have nothing in common with me anymore and, as I am at a junior college and still living in my home town, I have had few chances to meet new people and those that I have met I have nothing in common with. In my case with the old friend its a nerd card shop that is

[entertainment fan]

I believe in God and I've been to church all my life. You could try getting to know people at your church. I pray to God, especially when I'm unhappy, and God comforts me.