you just need to get out more, hanging out alone too much especially at your age is not healthy. also don't feel sorry for yourself, we're all in the same boat.

Meeting someone means sharing your burdens, helping lighten their burdens and even finding some of each other's burdens interesting and endearing. You are living in your own head, yes, but you are also cherishing small things and embracing bliss where it comes, and being self-aware, all of which is attractive and maybe - I hope - means your depression isn't all that dark.

You have already started your healing...you know your situation, perfectly. It's really nice that you smile at strangers in the street...Talk with these strangers, too!

Thank you for writing this. I feel exactly the same way and have for years. Here's hoping we can find courage and part the clouds ourselves. Life's Best to you.

When you're with someone you're supposed to lean on each others strengths and forgive each others weaknesses. You're the missing piece to someones puzzle!

It's as if you were reading my mind. Except that I'm a woman. I realize that my isolation is mostly the consequence of my own choices. Now I find it difficult to interact with others on a personal level... maybe I've just lost the habit?
I hope you will meet someone you can connect with. Perhaps someone in a situation a little bit like yourself. Remember you are not alone.

If you have been in a rut for 5 years and have socially isolated yourself and feel like you have nothing to give and are a burden, then seriously - you might be clinically depressed.
It might take more than for you to stop feeling sorry for yourself. I am not sure if you have spoken to a counsellor or your family doc but you might want to have a discussion about depression and consider doing something like the 'antidepressant skills workbook' which you can get at a doctor's office or download.
We all have baggage doll! Get to the back of the line ;) But with some work on your part, and reaching out to people - be they old friends, family, or people you meet trying something new, you can at least start to climb out of your dark place.
If you try the work book and also try getting out and meeting people and you still feel really amotivated or anhedonic you might want to consider medications...
Just saying. Have Hope and good luck :)

Nothing is 100% in life, there should be doubts and problems and mistakes. It's all a mystery and it sounds like you might just know that. Scary stuff but in the end it's everyone that's left behind that is able to think about you and who you were no matter how you felt about yourself. Good, bad, it's something. Connect because you can.