The only mistake you make is to assume your lifestyle will fit you all your life, at 18.

People change in the duration of a life. Maybe you won't but many do. They think social isolation is the way to go until a few decades later, they don't.

I've been you for >20 years. All the depression that build up over time is now coming down and I need people without having any social skills left. (I was drinking a lot but stopped a year ago.) Isolation makes you go kind of crazy. The time will come when you can't stand feeling like a creep any more. Exchanging with other people will make you feel like a normal person.

You don't have to be great friends with someone to have a decent conversation.

I also have no friends at all. I got co-workers and my very bossy transaction driven partner. I feel like the conversation needs to get out on a book so I can make money from this. But it is what it is. I'm almost 50.

Now imagine you had told this shower thought out loud to someone, and they agreed. How would that make you feel?

You're 18. You have your entire life ahead of you. Join some online gaming groups. Go birdwatching. Find and join a makerspace in your town or city. There are solutions to loneliness, but you must be a part of that solution.

Judging by the 11 down votes you arnt gonna make any with this post

Are you trying to convince us, or yourself?

Go make some friends then

I’ve lived a portion of my life somewhat isolated => As a devout Christian who didn’t fit in at church or outside of it (those days and god are luckily far behind me). I had people around during most days, but I felt absolutely miserable and alone in those moments.

And while I can find myself in the idea that solitude can bring certain joys you otherwise can’t. I didn’t see myself maintaining that kind of life in a healthy way. Hell, if it went on much longer I probably wouldn’t be here today.

Keep a check on yourself and keep some bridges open to the outside world. Also don’t take risks when you are alone. Leave that fucking football on the roof for another day. Have stuff at the ready for emergencies. Drink, eat, sleep on a regular basis… being a loner starts to cut in on your civilised habits (for a lack of a better expression).

Also podcasts are not a substitute for friendship, it can feel like it at times but you are not part of the conversation. Don’t use AI for that matter. => Don’t <=.

Take care of yourself and enjoy whatever path in life you take. We’re only here once.

I don't have friends like I used to. More like aquantancies. I think its good to not go look for friends. Just do try to do some things you like in groups if you can. like clubs or such or cons or whatnot. then if you find a like minded soul you might hang out.

Similar here. I've never had many friends, but, the older I get, the more exhausting I find human interaction (I am an #aspie), I started going on vacations of 4+ weeks on an island where I only interacted at the supermarket, because I had to, decades ago. I very deliberately do not maintain any friendships (and I'm married to a very similar mind, we live apart for years and only "visit" each other every couple of weeks). Whenever someone expresses their exasperation that I could want it that I am seriously pissed off. Just imagine that being forced to interact is as bad as being forced to be alone, ffs.