Hi, I apologize if this isn’t exactly “on-topic” so to speak, but I am not sure where else to go and I want to get my thoughts out somewhere.
I find it difficult to make real life friends, not because I necessarily have social anxiety but because I feel so disconnected from the reality everyone around me seems to be a part of. I live in the US, and I imagine I don’t need to explain the current state of the country to a lemmy community. I’m a leftist progressive, who also happens to be very privacy/foss focused. I also have a couple mental disorders that make it more difficult to “properly” socialize. I find it hard to relate to people who use mainstream social media, as when I hear or see people talk about it, all I see is the abuse of the working class. I see data harvesting and propaganda. I find it hard not to bring this up when talking to others, as it’s a core belief. I see it as fundamentally wrong that we allow ourselves to be whored out to data brokers for a quick hit of dopamine. I see the US falling into fascism and into a country of slavery (again) if we dont start advocating for workers rights and for the removal of the current admin. I use Linux, CalyxOS, I self host. I protest, I vote in local elections, and primaries. I like playing video games when I can bring myself to it. I have been enjoying the new DELTARUNE chapters, and am hoping to find a switch 2 (to keep offline and wait for homebrew)
The reason I mention these things is I feel so different from other people, and don’t know if its possible to find people who will want to be friends with me now. I’m not in college anymore, I graduated and I live in a somewhat suburban area. I have an s/o, and they’re supportive of my beliefs, but they also find it hard to make friends. Where should I go from here? Is my only solution really just sucking it up and have my internal monologue scream at me while listening to ‘friends’ talk about subjects and situations that trigger my inner activist to go off? Or are there possibly other people out there like me who I just haven’t found yet? I know that friendships have to make compromises, but fuck if its hard to compromise on things you see as violating human rights.
All those beliefs you described are perfectly fine and reasonable. Finding someone else who feels the same as you about all that stuff is a long shot though. It’s a lot of boxes to tick. Plus they have to be in fairly close proximity to be IRL friends, so even lower odds. Then you have to meet by chance. Just on that math alone, you will almost certainly need to calm that inner monologue and accept people’s differences. Maybe you can meet some people you can be 50% friends with. Or just close enough on a few interests and activities. Know what I mean?
Yeah, I just find it hard to not make myself heard. not Something I’m used to unfortunately