Thanks, dude. I’m glad I reached out, not something I’d normally do. I was embarrassed to spill out to a friend like that, but I did it anyway. I know I shouldn’t be. He has great about it. But I’ve resolved to put myself out there, now.

I kind of have this weird feeling lately. New town, new job in the last 9 months. I know lots of people here (old acquaintances from college, past jobs, and my current job) and spend lots of time with other people, but I’ve still been feeling kind of lonely lately. My close friends and family live hundreds of miles away, and I haven’t been able to form any intimate friendships here; I like the people plenty, and socialize outside work, but we’re just not alike in the right ways to feel any real connection.