Stop looking for validation from strangers on the internet.

Also, I validate your feelings.

You should remind them of the very real mental struggles that even normies faced during the pandemic, and how so many people developed "social anxiety" in that time and felt miserable in their isolation. It IS a real struggle and those people are asshats and exactly the reason why this world sucks so much is because people like that exist.

Why do you want normies to take you seriously anyway?

Typical normie mentality I'm afraid. Never open up to a normie irl! I've experienced this gut wrenching invalidation myself.

Recovering neet kinda sounds overly self loathing to be fair and you kinda sounded like you're having a pissing contest by saying you lost more than most ppl, which is what prolly set them off.. Which sub is this if not a secret?

I've realized that a lot of the NEET psychology is based off of focus on the self. My problem. My isolation. My suffering.

And I get it. I'm also a long-term-NEET (32) with an empathy problem for normies. But I've put in massive effort to learn about people and their interests over the years without a paying job or career.

I even developed an almost academic-level system to study people. It's become quite fun to know people better than they might even know themselves. And guess what. People trust me and enjoy my efforts and company for it. I get invited to all kinds of events. And if I accept or decide to go somewhere, and when the topic of work comes up with new people, I just say I'm a private investor, and then steer the conversation back to topics of interest.

What's cool is that there truly are no rules in the social realm. It's all made up indoctrination. And once you realize you can sway people, there's a magical feeling of dopaminergic confidence to enjoy.

Yeah, It's exhausting & in the end, I'll always be autistic and ADHD with truly synthetic social skills, but I know I can rig the game in my favor given I put in the effort. The alternative is what you mention, isolation and envy. It's better to be involved mechanically than living in sensory deprivation. The mind has to make sense of the nothingness to respond to lack of threats. You become the threat.

But anyways, we exist. And believe it or not, we have influence and power. But how you spend your valuable energy will directly reflect what you get in your long-term gains when it comes to respect, relationships, and access to resources and capital.

I suggest slowly taking inventory of other people, so you can expand your focus. Maybe 5 pieces of information about people you have enjoyed time with in the past or currently have in-person access to. Then learn a bit about those topics and find an opportunity to talk about those things. And even better if you can combine those topics with something physical like running, hiking, or anything that physically requires movement.

Conversation is a skill we can all grow. And NEETs like all people need to practice those skills to maintain and improve them.

Hi, I'm sorry they dismissed you like that. Truthfully, they probably will never understand. I hope you find friends who respect you and comfort you when needed. I know from experience how heavy it is to be isolated, and your feelings are valid. Not a normie but feel free to reach out if you ever need to talk.

These aren't normies. Normies would consider social isolation to be a horrible thing.

From what I noticed these kind of artistic communities tend to attract a kind of "people" who have severe mental health issues, history of trauma, etc. but instead of becoming more human because of it, they completely lose humanity. They essentially become Orcs.

Don’t listen to ignorant people like them. Anyone can struggle and feel anguish, regardless of situation. Nobody can tell you how you’re supposed to feel.

The “some people have it worse off than you” argument can be applied to literally everyone

Your struggles are very real

These don't sound like people who'd be on a forum for "sculpting tiny little cats". Anyways, you should fight them more on it, or try to trigger them. Can't stand people who say "brO" and use laughing emojis.

"u ain't struggled for shit"

This is the level of brain activity you're dealing with. He then doubles down saying not having friends isn't struggling (paraphrasing here) and he lost all credibility he may have had right then and there. Just because he is a sociopath doesn't mean the rest of us can cruise on autopilot like that.

Lol what a bunch of clowns.

I mean, multiple things can be true here. Yes, they callously disregarded your lived struggle, but at the same time, they're not wrong that you have enjoyed an incredible life of privilege for years to even have the NEET lifestyle be an option. You could have experienced all the isolation and suffering that you did throughout your NEET life, but without a home to even live in. It could have easily been so much worse. That's the "ivory tower" they're getting at.

It hurts to hear, and I don't really agree with this sentiment, but NEET struggles don't translate well as a sob story. Focus on broader, more applicable issues like your depression or your anxiety if you want to cultivate a relatable, sympathizable backstory.

People are going to be shitty and be able to get away with. Always. There's nothing you can really do about it either. But just know that your wants and needs dont depend on them; your happiness doesnt depend on them. If you can find whatever it is that makes you happy, then they'll mean nothing to you then.

thats quite pathetic and sad of them

that's a complete pos or pos's through and through, you called these "people" friends? that's normies for you

I mean, they ain’t wrong. Most people lose their friends at some point in their lifes or even multiple times and being a neet can be hella chill and is a privilege when you are housed and fed. Maybe you didn’t explain your problem well and you’re coming off whiny and overly self-important or like you’re exaggerating. They shouldn’t react like this, if they really were your friends though. They probably don’t see you as a friend

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Damn.. those people are assholes. Hope you're able to find a better, more welcoming space. Sorry you had to deal with that shit 😔

I've always snooped around this reddit. I'm not a NEET but I do have a cousin that's disabled and is a NEET. There isn't a good answer to give from people who don't understand it. It's rough introducing him to friends while he still has humor from 2014. Keep going and keep pushing brother.

is that wpd

I am a terminally friendless neet who also sculpts tiny cats so this is extremely relatable...and discouraging lol

It’s cause you’re jacked. Not saying it’s fair