How to change myself for the better?

[Anonymous]

I've become quite angry and bitter over the last few months. I used to be a happy person, but with my declining health ( I have a chronic health condition that is getting worse) and just life not working out the way I want it to, I have just become this angry and bitter person. I find myself depressed most of the time. I know I shouldn't feel that way, but I just don't know why I do.

I get stressed really easily, and it's really affecting me. I try to do things to relax, but stuff keeps coming up. I feel really bad because I moved last year to a city so I could go to college. And right now I have so many friends asking for me to come see them, and I can't. I have no car and no way of getting there, my parents work 7 days a week. And I refuse to bug them for rides. But my friends do not understand :S And that is a big part of it all. I feel like they hate me for not being able to come down, but I don't get why they can't understand, its not that I don't want to.

I just find myself getting easily irritated all the time with people I don't even know. I try to have patience, but it's hard. I do everything on my own and that is also a big part of this. It's tough having people just not understand and think I have time to just do things and expecting that I know everything :S

I have no one to talk to about this either, and that makes it harder I think. But there isn't much I can do about that. I have tried talking to friends but they just dismiss my feelings by saying "mhmm" or "ic". I realize that my problems aren't that important in the whole scheme of things in this world, but I think everyone goes through their rough times. And I am certainly going through one right now and I have no idea what to do about it. It's really bringing me down :S Help! What can I do to enjoy life again?

[Anonymous]

It sounds like you have a lot of acquaintances but not a lot of friends. I don't mean that as a jab at you, but if these people are unwilling to come see you or help you with your problems then they're not really friends. It sounds like you need to find a couple really good friends that can help you when you're feeling blue. It would probably be good if they went to the same college as you so you don't have to worry about going to visit them.

[Asker]

Thanks! I just have a really hard time making friends. And I have no idea why. My boyfriend says that I come across really likeable, fun and friendly. So I have no idea what is going on. I'm lucky that this semesters schedule is better, so I now have more time to visit people. But you're right, they should come down to visit me too, it's only fair.

[Opinion Owner]

Friendship is a two-way street! I'm sure there are websites/articles dedicated to making friends that can help you more, but usually you just need to be nice and friendly. You might need to take the first step and ask people to hang out or grab a coffee. Before long though you will have people asking you to do things!