I like to socialize, but i'd rather be the fly on the wall that people don't see than join in the activities.

I am very much home bound since I was diagnosed. One fear I can't see to shake it getting with the flu and then having complications😤

It is not HIV that causes me to isolate myself, but rather social anxiety and low self-esteem caused by child abuse.

However, it is something that I am actively working on and know that I need to do because socializing is just as important to overall health as taking care of your mental health and physical health. This is something that science has proven.

Also, 1/3 of older adults feel lonely. Aging doesn't help at all when it comes to having a social life. As we get older we become less seen so to speak. We also start losing friends through death. We lose partners as well.

I have joined a social group, but due to being on a fixed income and not being able to afford my own transportation, I don't get to participate in as many activities with the group as I would like. But as my financial situation improves, I'm looking forward to putting myself out there and becoming involved. I would also like to volunteer, which is a fantastic way to socialize and contribute at the same time.

I have always been a "home-body". I am out and about for work, so evenings and weekends are usually at home. I would not consider myself "isolated". I teach an improv class, I have an improv troupe and I act when I have time (just had a gig this weekend). I have tried not to let HIV run my life. I am very careful about my health so try to avoid big crowds. I was diagnoses during Covid, so I had to isolate. Plus, I went I to Counseling right away, so that helped.

Now I became more active after my diagnosis and I'm social butterfly