I noticed as I grew up this was becoming more evident. As a teen I surrounded myself with friends who were like me, mainly because those who weren’t wanted to do things I was not comfortable with. So when my friends had their first kiss, first relationship, etc. It started at 16 or so. Then a lot of them went to parties or drank for the first time/ smoked. I know these aren’t markers of growing up but by the time we were 18 getting ready to go to college, everyone left, their parents supported that. Mine didn’t and I had to stay put- especially because I got no financial aid/ I didn’t want to take on debt.
When they came back it was like you could tell they were different. Having lived alone, and experienced new places, etc. My friends who stayed put also changed a lot. It’s almost like I stayed in that place where everyone else left it. I’m now way into adulthood and I did in a way stunt myself. I am really nervous of a person. I never had a relationship, or a first kiss. I don’t go out, I never went to a party or a club. I didn’t do much of what others my age do. And while that’s normal, and everyone is different, I just am scared of what people will think. I don’t know if that makes sense. Again I know doing all these things doesn’t mean someone grew up. It’s more like we grew apart and they changed while I had the same jokes, same everything.
I don’t really mind being like this but it’s hard to connect with others. I also don’t have autism or adhd because sometime someone suggested maybe that can contribute to some of the things I wrote. I’m fairly sure I have some kind of anxiety disorder though.
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Try asking yourself, what would you be doing if no one else was around? Who would you be if you were alone on the planet and had nothing to worry about? That’s your truest most authentic self and you should stick to it. If they judge you, then they aren’t for you
Trust me, those experiences aren’t so interesting. You can go out and have them to catch up but unless you genuinely want them they would suck. Parties are cramped and sweaty, sex wont feel great with strangers, and getting drunk would leave you with a headache
Unless you’re really into it, it’s not going to feel great. Trust me on this
You can join a hobby group for camping, it would give you plenty of interesting and unique stories to tell. I had a friend who lived in the wilderness for political reasons and not a day goes by without something coming up