Chris is spot on with this comment. Meeting new people will help to keep you working on your fear of being around people. And it doesn't mean you need to find someone to love romantically. The couple you mentioned previously as being there when you got married and who are there for you now...no doubt you love them but not in a romantic way.
Make yourself interact with people. For example, yesterday while grocery shopping an older gentleman dropped a few $1 bills. I walked over, picked them up, and handed them to him. He appreciated my gesture and commented jokingly. Then I went and got in a checkout line. A few minutes later, he walked past telling me to be sure not to drop any money. Well the woman ahead of me in line, who had no idea what just happened, chuckled even though she had no idea what the comment meant. As soon as the guy got out of earshot, I explained what had happened. Heck, the guy came back pausing to comment and joke again--for some reason the woman ahead of me decided to have some fun and got in on the conversation (she was closer to his age than I so I wasn't surprised). It wound up being a fun time during the not-so-fun task of grocery shopping.
Most likely that type of exchange may make you uncomfortable. Possibly do some small things for people--holding the door for a stranger (the majority may not acknowledge the gesture but a few say
thank you). If someone holds the door for you, be sure to look them in the eye and thank them. Again, not all people will even bother to look at you when they hold the door for a stranger, but make the initiative to look them in the eye while thanking them--and keep walking towards your destination without pausing. It's a small moment in time when you may be taken out of your comfort zone. Just don't read into it if no one says anything in response--the lack of response happens to me all the time.
Get out there today and find something that puts a smile on your face. Notice a pretty flower. Or possibly take note of a small bug (yuck).
Find small things that will put a smile on your face. These are things that will touch your heart in a positive way--and in a way that help to open your heart to being receptive. Love isn't always about romantic love. I love my dogs and cats. I love how the sun dances on the surface of the lake. I love the feel of the breeze blowing across my face and the smell of fragrant flowers. These are things we don't tend to think about but take notice and enjoy the moment. :encouragement:
