[He may really want to learn about developments in her love life, but does she want to talk yet... hmmm....] I'd like to make more, of course, but I find myself unsure how to approach some people. [How does one do this without a desperate cry for help? Hmm.]

So I take it slowly and try to find my stride. It's working - the friends I do have I feel quite close to.

And ah... it's a necessary evil in my life. Were there any other workable ways to deal with it, I think we would've tried.