Find other things that are more engaging. Find ways to be more comfortable engaging in them. Physical activity and (healthy -- no need to be Arnold) strength

Find other things that are more engaging. Find ways to be more comfortable engaging in them. Physical activity and (healthy -- no need to be Arnold) strength tend to promote self-confidence and a sense of well being. Take some walks -- even if by yourself. Walk in interesting/enjoyable places. Buy some dumbells and spend 10, 15, 30 minutes a day on some basic exercises. Depending upon your work environment, you might keep them at your desk and do a few reps now and then or when you're tired or blocked, anyway. Don't paint too big a target. Start with small things, and see where it builds. Oh, and look at other things that leave you feeling more socially comfortable. A haircut. Clothing that blends in with the crowd you're approaching. You don't have to "sell out". Just... nibble at the edges of some of the emotions that might feed what you're describing as an anti-social tendency. -- Your friendly neighborhood hermit (i.e. take this with a grain of salt, but I have noticed these factors, myself) P.S. Ok, I'll add: I've had some abusive neighbors that made my life a hell. After several years, recently they've gotten somewhat better, but I still live in fear of recurring abuse. The resulting seclusion has been... a self-perpetuating downward spiral. It became easy to turn to and hide out in "online". But this did not stop the downward spiral in other aspects of my life. Don't let such a pattern set too deeply. The longer it lasts, the worse it gets, and the harder it is to get out of.