feeling left out?

I think that everyone feels left out every once in a while. 

Here is a blog I found by Julie Allan that sums it up quite nicely:

"It happens when nobody meets your eyes, or answers your questions. It's happening when you find yourself listening to conversation and finding no opening to say what you think or feel. Eventually, you find yourself melting into the background. Becoming part of the wallpaper.

Feeling left out is something all of us has experienced. Whether it happened in school, or at a party or on your first day of work. But some of us go through days and days when the people we call 'friends' ignore or forget about us. Sometimes it's intentional, and sometimes it's not, but the bottom line is... we're left out.

One might ask, why on earth does it happen? Don't they realize what they're doing? Do they care? What should you do? Is there anything that can be done?" 

Yes, there is!

I am the world's worst to think "Well if they really wanted to hang out with me then they would call me, or invite me with them..." and then I shrink away and cry in my room with a bewildered husband wondering what to do with me. It is especially bad for me when I am out with friends and they are all making plans for something to do another night and no one asks if I want to come along. I would say that the invitation is implied by talking about it in front of me, but when they say "oh, well i'll text you tomorrow with the time" it's like a big "NO ASHLEY'S ALLOWED!" sign. This has been an issue for me lately, one I am still dealing with. But surely there has to be hope! I can't spend the rest of my life wallowing in the fact that no one is inviting me out! So here are some steps I plan on taking to keep me from sulking in my house with a confused husband...

1. Be the party planner.

So you're not getting invitations? Then send the invitations yourself! Put yourself on your own guest list and start participating (and hosting) the events that everyone wants to go to.

2. Make new friends.

There are over 6.5 trillion people in this world and to feel lonely when only a dozen or so of them forget about you is ludicrous. Find another set of friends that have been taking their ginkgo biloba!

3. Set an example.

Chances are there are other people in your life that you too have been neglecting. Maybe it's your sister or your childhood friend that lives across the state. Whoever it is, make an effort to re-establish that relationship. Not only will your loneliness fade, but you will have a stronger friendship too!

Whatever you do, don't lose heart! Remember that friendships, like every relationship, ebb and flow. You can't be so rigid or you'll end up losing them for good. So take a step back and remember that this is your only chance at this ride called life, don't waste it being caught up in the little things!

Love and friendship,

a s h l e y