I Have No Friends | Courtney Ryman | TEDxGeorgetown 

"I can go a whole week, and only receive a text from my mom" Damn, I felt that..

All of us friendless folk in the comments❤️ I wish we all could get together for tea

And then there’s a lot of us who have ‘friends’ who still make you feel alone

All my "friends" are people who talk to me when they want to, but completely ignore me otherwise.

It's comforting to hear someone else experiences this. I honestly was beginning to think I was alone. Not having friends can sometimes feel very painful. Thank you for being so brave.

I hate when people say I don’t have friends and they don’t mean it literally. Like I honest to god have NO friends. What a good speech though

- Standing alone is better than standing with people who don’t value you. - So it is ok to be alone

It just hurts me watching all my instagram "friends" go out everyday and have the time of their life with different group of friends while I sit at home eveyday contemplating my existence. I just feel so lonely it kills me :(

It's so embarrassing to admit I dont have friends. I usually just lie about it.

My friends are only my "friends" when it's convenient for them. ... I have no friends

When she said he could go a whole week and only get a text from her mom, I felt that. I'm in the same situation.

I literally have no friends...I'm not kidding. However I feel at peace being alone. Everytime I tried to make a friend I was rejected. I don't know why, it used to hurt, but now I'm happy about it. No friends means no suffering, no betrayal just peace.

I haven't had friends in a decade. Almost everyone has devalued me or abandoned me. Family, friends, whatever. I haven't abandoned myself though. And you shouldn't either. Just because other people can't see your beauty or your true character, doesn't mean you don't have any. Just means they aren't looking hard enough. Stay strong people. Love yourself. Xoxo.

I am 61 and I have never had a best friend or friends in general. I have learned to accept this is just me. I am complete, I am fulfilled.

I enjoy being alone. I don’t have to deal with other people’s drama. I have my pets, my hobbies and my goals. I make no apologies to anyone. God bless all of you folks who feel badly about having no friends; be a friend to yourself! 😘❤️🌸

I realized I had no friends when the people whom I considered friends didn’t invite me to their weddings or life events. Learned I misinterpreted many relationships in life for a long time. It’s humiliating.

When you're in a friend group and they have a separate group chat to make plans without you

She feels like the person I'd like to be friends with

I have friends, but friends who see me as the second choice. I feel so alone because nobody cares.

In my 50's and never had 1 friend in my entire life--been some challenging and lonely times for sure. For those in this boat try to remember there is nothing wrong with you and that it is just part of your life experience! Love, compassion, and self-acceptance is key.

Same.....this is my final semester at college. I have made zero true friends for the past four years.

I have no close friends. Just acquaintances 😭

My cat is my best friend. She gives me more joy, comfort, & affection than my human friends.

Im 28 and have literally 0 friends except my animals. Society makes it hard for good genuine people now days

All of these comments make me feel like I’m not alone. Us friendless people need to have each other’s backs.

Who, like me, is searching on the internet these things just to desperately find something to relate to?

It’s so unbelievably difficult to live without friends in today’s society. For me, most “friends” I make end up just using me and leaving me in the worst ways possible, and some people I truly befriend are put off by how I have no friends and that they wouldn’t view me the same way after. Nowadays I just kind of adopt to living with no friends instead of dealing with drama. It’s pretty dang powerful how she has the confidence to talk about this to the Internet, since this is a problem that is truly hard to admit for people with no friends.

Truth be told... If a person has 5 real friends in their whole lifetime, they should consider their self rich.

I have no friends at age 52. We have moved a lot due to my husband’s job and I have been completely friendless for the past seven years. I can talk to anyone. I am open, friendly and lots of fun. My kids are grown, so I don’t even have casual, playground mom-friends. When I reach out to people I get the typical, “omg, we totally SHOULD get together...” getting someone to actually commit to a coffee date seems like pulling teeth. Sigh... everyone is busy and their cliques established. Creating a new circle is really hard.

It makes me sad to see all of us who don't have friends, especially those of us who wish we did. I'll be your friend

I haven’t had a close friend since middle school and I’ve felt so lonely for so long. It gets painful sometimes and has given me a bad habit of overthinking. But tomorrow is my first day going to college in person and not online. I’m going to try my best to be confident, put myself out there, and make friends. Please cheer me on! 💖

She's so authentic and genuine. You can feel it listening to her.

I rather be alone than having friends who take advantage from me.

I gave up on friends. People are too wrapped up in their own lives. Social media is distorting reality. To all of you... You're a rockstar in this world too! Don't ever feel bad for oversights of your value when it comes to others. I got away from farcebook.. Etc.... You should. Be well

I always feel like I'm the only one without friends till I search up these videos. It's impossible to tell who doesn't have friends cause no one will admit it. Glad I can relate to these comments.

"i am a good person, i am worthy of friends" this has been my plea to the universe since time immemorable.

Thank you for sharing a very private part of your life, so we may learn. That took guts.

I have no friends either, but am not lonely, so it’s okay. The friends I’ve had in the past always made me feel like I was truly alone

i have “friends” but they never text me or ask to hangout. i always text first and carry on the entire conversation. i’m the one who has to arrange plans. i hate it

"And remember: Being alone does not have to mean being lonely." - Dr. Daniel Marston

I’m a teenage boy. Right now is the time I should be hanging out with my friends, skipping curfew, going on dates, doing illegal things, whatever. Instead, my best friend is my little sister, I spend time reading and playing the Sims, I’ve never dated anyone, and thinking deeply about whatever I want. Sometimes I’ve wished I was different, and that I could give up my introverted ways, but I prefer myself the way I am.

I’m 37 years old, I have two kids, and I still talk to my stuffed bear because there is literally no one else.

I've been alone without friends for so long it feels numb. But sometimes the loneliness just kills me.

I never had a friend since when I was 10, if the universe going to give me an opportunity to have a friend I'm gonna accept it even if it's only one.

This was recommended me. How did youtube know?

She amazes me. How she is able to get up and speak so candidly about her illness. And she's such a great speaker. This had to be so hard for her.

I wish I had at least one friend whom I can share my feelings. I don't want to die alone. Not once I have thought of committing suicide lately but I decided not to because of these comments. After reading these comments I felt that I'm not lonely. Thank you all and I wish you all to have lifelong friends and be happy!!!

Watching everyone live life while you live in solitude, afraid of engaging with anyone due to bad experiences and fear is almost as low as it gets.

I am hypochondriac, have depression and anxiety and I think I am very unlikable as I am asocial person, introvert and have no idea how to deal with people. This is why I have no friends at all. I literally don't know how to small talk, and even few minutes of talking to someone exhausts me so much I need to escape. That is seen as sign of "unfriendly" person, so they all avoid me. I sometimes think people hate me because they can see I am not normal and they are afraid or repulsed by that.

“I am a good person, and a good friend” I don’t care if I’m gonna go through the rest of my life without anyone even batting an eye in my direction, but I know I am those two things

Thanks for making it clear that 'having no friends" could be a conscious and crucial decision in the healing process of many mental health issues. This talk is so brave and honest.

Personally I think having no friends or a small circle is very peaceful. I've tried to connect with people. Have friends, be nice, be social and open up. But it seems with every friendship I've had I've been hurt badly. Been made to feel as if I'm not good enough or that I can't be myself. People are just disappointing. It's better to focus on yourself, learn to enjoy alone time. Improve yourself. Do things for yourself. You don't need others to be happy.

Having no friends feels crazy so alone and unwanted.

I've always been a lonesome soul. I found that while I desired for close intimate relationships, someone to call a best friend or a soulmate, I actually thrive when I'm alone. I've had friends throughout the years but eventually they fade into oblivion because they move on and I move on and it's like we never crossed paths. But I am completely comfortable with my lonesomeness. I don't crave human interaction in a way that most people do. I interact with others daily in my job but in the privacy of my home, I am completely alone. I like it that way. I don't think I would be changing any time soon.

Anyone who sees this, I will be your friend.

What I have understood in life is that, the very best friend is just yourself... you always take care of yourself when there is something in need..... being hungry, being ill, being thirsty, being injured. Like I mean... does anyone, except your mom/family, say: ''Ohh let me buy you some food cuz you hungry. Ohh here take my chair to sit. Ohh come let me take you to the doctor, ohh so you have no money? here take all my 500 dollars''.....every single out there takes care of himself and just to understand that every man... is his own man...but... however... at some point, some people will offer you any of those. but don't view him as a soulmate/best friend cuz that is sometimes a mere illusion... cuz he/she just offered something to be nice. so guys all in all I wish you a happy new year and stay strong peeps

I have no friends either. Even if I “try” to make friends, idk what to do. I have become so accustomed to being alone. The only txts I receive are from my mother or brother.

How do people memorize their ENTIRE speech???? I can BARELY remember my own name damn.

Crying. Thank you so much for this talk. I needed it. You're amazing. Being friendless is so challenging. My case is due to severe traumas I've experienced (I have complex PTSD), & mental illness too. Thank you for letting me and others know that we are not alone, & for being inspiring. Wishing you nothing but the very best experiences and company in life. You are worthy, and I'm so glad you said it.

Sometimes I can be fine with having no friends, other times like tonight, it hurts my heart and my soul. Don’t think I’ll ever get used to it. At 43, there’s probably not much hope of friendship at this stage. Hope everyone reading these comments is ok ❤️

I’m in my third year of college and I have no friends either. I made friends in first year but they’re not true friends; they’re only concerned with themselves. And as a premed student, I found that my grades increased when I stopped hanging out with those people. Hence why I have no friends. I enjoy the peace of mind.

I can make friends easily. After getting to know them, which can take a few weeks to a few years, I find it hard to maintain the friendship and I usually don’t. I would rather be alone than put up with drama or narcissism. I’m a great listener, very generous, always ask how they are doing or remember what our last conversation was so I can ask about them in a caring way. I rarely get that in return. It doesn’t make me mad, I just lose interest in the friendship. I’m so glad I have a hobby of quilting that keeps me busy and content.

Better to be alone then in bad company. I learned the hard way.

"I have no friends" Watching this in this quarantine period. I knew from before that I didnt have any friends and love being alone. But atleast once I think it would be better if someone just like me understands me better in the same way I do. I stay with my parents and elder brother. Everyone is busy with their own lives. When I tell my mom I have no friends, she blames me saying I cant mingle with people and keep on fighting with them this is the reason I dont like to open up and share things with others. Whenever people ask me who is ur bestfriend, I reply 'none' and when they ask how many friends do u have I just say two to three but I dont really mean that. I do have two to three friends but they dont really get me. As time passed by, I realized people change so fast and things arent the same like before,every individual think in their own way. We cannot expect people to think the same way like we do. Time flies,people change. Its so happy and peaceful being alone but we should have enough patience to become independent. Being dependent made me realize that its so tough being lonely! :)) btw i'm going to turn 18 within 1 day and as usual i spend my time only with my fam

She's a really good speaker.

I can relate to having no friends. No one calls me, I don't get any invites. I have had to go through this for many years...and it hurts.

"Though I don't have any friends right now, I intend to have them in the future. I am a good person. I am worthy of friendship. And I don't make too bad of a friend myself."❤❤🙌🙌

I hear her. I wish the best to all the friendless people out there.

I'm 70 years old and my "friends" are my myriad of Doctors I see, the only people I see. My GP, Specialists, technicians etc. At times I'm so lonely I want to swallow a handful of pills. I have nothing to live for and feel useless and think "who would cry for me if (when) I die?" The true answer is NO ONE. The world would go on as if I never ever existed. Most nights I lay awake in bed wishing I could just stop breathing. It's said that suicide is the coward's way out but to my thinking you need a huge amount of courage to even approach that precipice.. Thank You for taking the time to read this comment.

I had no friends for 21 years yes! And I'm 22. But since a year I started only thinking about my self care. I exercised, meditated, prayed everyday, read good books, worked hard for my goals and smiled more and more even without cause and started to be unnecessarily nicer to everyone. Things change guys! Life gets better! I felt like giving up for so long still sometimes negativity tries to get the best of me. But I will not stop. I want my mind under my control. So love yourself and work on yourself. True friends will eventually come.. and friends could be anyone. ❤ Please keep smiling. Your smile is so cute. 😊

Brave Girl! Thank you for sharing your story!

I don’t have OCD, but I do have a whopping case of ADHD which birthed a MONSTROUS case of social anxiety. It’s so good for people like us to hear others talk about their symptoms. It helps to identify the cruel thoughts we have as symptoms and not truths.

Same. I know many people and suggest getting together with them. Never happens. I go out of my way to help others, without any expectations, but don't get the same in return.

Animals. The best friends you can have.

When I feel alone...I just came here to read the comment section even if I red it many times....nowdays I just can't bear the pain...being an introvert sucks badly😥

I am terrified, When my Parents die, I will have no one in this world....... Absolutely no one !! I don't know how to deal with that reality yet. Anyone out there who feels the same?

I just prefer to be alone now. I chose to become a friend to myself. I don’t need anyone to like me.

“I abandoned the people who did not abandon me”

I have no friends. Literally. Ive been betrayed by those closest to me and im here at 27 with nobody to share inside jokes with or share memories or a bond with. Sometimes I'll have a boyfriend for a few months and that's the closest I can get. The only person I talk to is my mother. I cry almost every night knowing the next day is going to be just as empty and unfulfilling as the next. People tell me to find a hobby, find meaning within yourself but thats not what I need...i have hobbies. I just can't remember the last time I truly laughed with another person. I feel like im wasting my youth being lonely and having anxiety.

This summer was the worst summer I’ve ever had, because my only friends left me since they found new one’s while I was in summer camp. I’ve suffered a lot, even showed my weak side to one of them and I regret doing that, but now I am happy, because I realised the real best friends that I’ve always had are my dad and mom ❤️😊

I was always the kid who ate their lunch alone at school, went home and didnt go out to play at the weekends. I'm 22 now and nothing has changed. I leave the house to go to work and that is it, after work I'm alone in my house, on the weekends I'm alone in my house when you're 22 years old and all you can see is people clubbing on their Instagram stories, or snapchat stories of their days out with friends, and you're alone wishing things could be different. I dont want to be like this, but I dont know how to fix. I've been lonely for so long I've lost all self esteem and convinced myself that I must be too boring for friends, and I probably am. But the depression can become painful sometimes. We tall about being elderly and alone, but when you're young and lonely it can sometimes hurt even more. I'm wasting my youth and my life with it.

I have no friends and feel so free. I now can focus on myself and manifest the things I want. If you love the person your with which is yourself, then you can never be alone.

Good lord, young lady, your vocabulary, self-possession, introspection, superior public speaking skills, authenticity are such strengths. You are a gift. My daughter has OCD, diagnosed at 12, and is now thirty. She found significant help through cognitive therapy, although she continues to manage it and it pops up in different ways. Bravo for shining light on this condition and for taking the leap to disclose your experience. So proud of you.

Holy Goddess! I didn't know OCD also meant ALL OF THAT! Respect to those who live with it. Holy cow, you guys are amazing!

This comment section and video are such a comfort. I don't have friends. I've had them in the past, but depression and anxiety has made it difficult to keep them or to make new ones. Honestly, unless it's going to result in a meaningful connection, I just don't have the energy to put into people. I'm incredibly lucky that I have a wonderful fiancé. But that doesn't stop me from being lonely sometimes. I feel so out of place every time I step onto my college campus that I can't help but think something is seriously wrong with me.

I can unequivocally say I have zero friends nor have I had any real friends. I am 23 years old never once have I been deliberately invited by myself to hangout with someone just me and them nobody around. I feel failed as a human being and don’t understand where I went wrong and how to fix this. Not like any one on a random video cares but it feels Good just typing these words into the universe.

As an older guy I wish I could put into words how sad it makes me feel to hear young people admitting loneliness, people need to ground themselves first, dispel the myth of apparent happiness and admit the sky looks beautiful today, then youll become the truth you seek..you sit under the light of the same stars, you are not separate, only if you embrace it, we are one..

Sometimes what is also really hard is when you have friends ( I have 3 ) but they all have busy lives with boyfriends and children and I have neither of those things. So if I want to go on holiday or do something on the weekend none of them want to spend it with me. Only once in a while and when they do they always have to leave early to go back to their partner or some calling from their full lives. They are genuine nice caring people but just too busy for me with their own lives. That can be SUPER lonely too.

Don't have any friends. Don't want to burden anyone and don't want anyone to burden me. Probably not the ideal way to live but humans are so burdensome with their drama.

AA has sponsors, people who will step up when you're troubled and about to have a drink. Why isn't there any organizations that will be there when you are lonely? Lonely people getting together when loneliness gets overwhelming.

I knew that a video like this would have comments giving advice about "Just choose a life of solitude and you won't be disappointed by people", people sharing their preferred and content life without 'disappointing' friends and family and such. And the main pattern I see in all of these people is that they have had unfortunate experiences, many since childhood, and due to these consistent experiences they've lost trust in trust and hope and it's completely understandable When you keep getting the same results for your work, it nurtures into you. It becomes a part of your beliefs, your fundamental. It becomes your perception. But this needs to be acknowledged and understood that not everyone is like that. Not everyone is going to be a bad friend or family. I know, it seems impossible to think that when each time you've turned out to have a bad friend. Each time, you were used or abused. But not everyone is like that. I say this as a person who despite having a great, loving family believes that they would have a better life without making or having friends, that I shouldn't take on the annoying responsibilities of friendships and just be content with myself and be my own best friend for life. But I've also realised that if friendship done with the right person or persons can be one of the greatest things in your life. It doesn't have to be many, just a small circle or even one person. What I mean is is that you don't have to make a definite decision about how you will live life, what you will do and never do. Because you are always changing and the things around you are too. Just keep doing what you love, live your life and if somewhere along the way, someone comes in to your life who brings significant happiness and you like who you are because of them and you want to keep having those kind of changes, then why not? Why not take a chance on them? Be the person you wish others were to you, be unapologetically yourself and you'll hopefully attract the right people and even if you don't, you were a great friend to yourself and you did not regret it.

This woman has very powerful words that strike me in ways I can’t explain. She laid out her arguments beautifully! I also thought she looked so beautiful the whole time. Awesome TED Talk

I have no true friends either. My world revolves around my children. I'm a single parent. I feel, I've lost myself along the way. I even have trouble dating. Gosh, I've never spoken this out literally. I pray things change for me this year and find a good fitting mentor. Thank you for sharing.

She did a great job with her presentation

“Having a preference for organization does not mean you have OCD.” TRUTH!!!

I am so grateful for this time we live in where a friendless young person will speak up about her situation

I am 29 and I have never had friends. Why is it so hard. So many people are lonely and have no one to connect with, why is it so hard to find the others.... I can't...

Im friendless by choice. I have no desire to entertain "frenemies" or nurture an aquaintance i have no interest in. Im a 2 friends kinda gal and until i find the right ppl im good solo

I used to have lots of friends, after beeing bullyied 10 years ago my confidence and my social friendshipness was lost. I lost almost everyfriend that I have. The ones that still my friends are not that friends to me, they got tired about my insecurities, now that I understand me, they still think of the old me that Im not anymore. I know people, they like me but not enough to be friends with. I think everybody deserves to be loved.

5 years ago my husband and I moved to a 55 and over community in Florida. I thought,”Now I’ll be able to have friends”. At first I socialized with people, and if I tried I probably could make friends. But I realized I’m really a loner! No one else reads the books I read, or is interested in the things I’m interested in. And I finally realized I could not care less about not having friends. I’m never bored, I have too many interests.