Hi MrAAndo,
May I suggest that, by reaching out on here, you are already breaking that cycle of 'not being able to talk to people? sometimes it's hard to know what to say, when to say it and how to say it, because we tend to want to say it perfectly. But perfection is overrated at best. Progress is perhaps a better goal.
I know that when I have had trouble talking to people, it's usually when I'm feeling, not only depressed and anxious, but also worrying about saying the wrong thing ..... but you know what I have found works a treat? In recent years I have taken to sharing stories with people about my own, embarrassing moments. Something I've said or done that I can now laugh at ...... like for example the time I had an interview at a company I had always wanted to work in, but had already missed on on working there once and so, when I got a second interview and they said "Why do you want to work here?" and I had a thought that I thought remained a thought, but it came right out of my mouth .... right out loud ..... and what I meant to think, but not actually say out loud was "Well, I have always liked this place, and if you don't employ me this time, I'm going to pack my sleeping bag and pillow, and stalk you until you do!" ...... and then the guy interviewing me looked at me funny, and I thought 'What's his problem?' ..... and then I realised I had said it out loud! ...... and, believe it or not, I got the job and ended up working there for more than 4 years!
I guess what I'm trying to say is that sometimes we humans can take ourselves so seriously that we forget to laugh at ourselves, and with others. And admitting out loud to someone our own imperfections helps to put people at ease .... both them and me.
I don't know if that helps at all, and maybe I'm not making any sense, but maybe a random conversation with someone at the cafeteria or in line at the supermarket could make their day, as well as yours. You never know, there could be a whole new circle of friends out there, just waiting to be found by you.
Anyway, theoretically, here we are. You've posted, I've responded ..... and I can't see the invisible block you talked about ...... perhaps one brick has fallen out of place already?!
Take care. Keep posting. And maybe I'll tell you another embarrassing moment of mine. I have plenty!
