I'd also like to give you kudos. I've been dealing with a similar thing, but for me part of the problem is the difficulty of even taking the first step. It see

I'd also like to give you kudos. I've been dealing with a similar thing, but for me part of the problem is the difficulty of even taking the first step. It seems like you've taken many first steps! I think there's an issue which you're avoiding that the article doesn't mention. In our world, you can send a text message to a friend halfway across the world and receive a reply instantly. I've found that it can be hard to forge new relationships when you can simply go online and find the comforting and enduring ones you've cultivated for years or even decades. It's a lot harder to force myself to make introductions at a party when I can whip out my phone and chat with someone I've known for ten years. It feels weird to say that someone who seems to be antisocial may actually be engaged in more simultaneous conversations - just none of them happening at that present location. But I think also that there are many (important) reasons to have relations physically close to you.