How to overcome social anxiety and make friends

[JusChillin]

I am a pretty lonely guy. No girlfriend, have 4-5 friends and am struggling with anxiety and loneliness with a penchant for terrible decisions. I have improved on my bad habits, I am working on not being overly friendly and going too fast in relationships. I sometimes ask slightly personal questions and test boundaries which I am also improving on. I know there are other things that warrant improvement and am looking for advice.

[Darkhouse]

What specifically are you looking for advice on? I think it's wonderful that you have 4-5 friends, that's a very healthy number. Most people have that many or less, in reality. I think Facebook and things has created a false narrative for people-no one has 10,000 or more friends! So, in the friend department, I think you're doing just fine! How do you "test boundaries"? I too ask personal questions, but I'm a curious person and I genuinely want to know the answers, so I don't think there's any harm as long as it's done without judgment....

[Pitalife in reply to Darkhouse]

I really agree w your face book reply,I don't do Facebook etc,I get kinda upset when friends say get on Facebook, no one has so many friends,Facebook friends is kinda sad joke...glad to hear someone thinking on my mindset..I have 5-6 real friends I've known over 30 years..my grandpa told me when I was a kid if you get to the end of your life and you can count your real friends on 1 ha d you've done pretty good..that is real friends not cyber buddies...

[catsrock]

Just a suggestion, but if you have time have you tried volunteering? I volunteer with animals and it has allowed me to meet all kinds of people.