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I’m high-functioning but have a long history of horrible mental health (depression, anxiety, avoidance) and lack a support system, which is one of the major contributors.

The holidays have been especially difficult this year since my relationship ended and I’ve struggled to adapt to a general change in life circumstances in the past few months. I feel so isolated because I’m the only person I know in my social environments, where people tend to be type-A or otherwise have their lives together, who has struggled immensely with lifelong depression and anxiety to the point where I feel like I can’t do anything more than the bare minimum to appear outwardly functional. I feel guilty for living such a boring existence in a city with so many people and so much to do.

I have a lot saved up from years of being a miser so I’m planning to just spend more freely on hobbies. I’m looking into joining a low-stakes sports league (possibly through Volo?) and have done training so I can engage in immersive volunteer work in my community through my grad program. I regularly exercise and take long walks to avoid being indoors so much. What are some steps you’ve taken to find a community here and build from scratch?