I think past can play a role in being fearful and cautious. We learn from our errors and also from stories told by others. That can lead to being cautious and fearful to protect ourselves.

I couldn't have said it better.

same
well i figure its just way to easy to cheat and lie behind a computer screen

Nothing wrong with that at all. The 90s was a major era of distrust and anxiety all around and a lot of us grew up like that, so we're automatically suspicious. At the end if the day if you feel the need to keep your shields up so to speak because you are facing the unknown, the worse thing you're doing to yourself is making sure your interactions are safe. If one can't understand that then perhaps they are the ones that need to reevaluate how they approach things.

Honestly, I don't trust many people at all. I have been burned many times. For trying to help others.
I have gotten to the point where I realized that my overall happiness is the most important. I'm not sure what you are going through but do know, take some time for yourself.
Try something new. I really open up to those that I know. My real and actual friends are those that I have gotten together with and gone out to have a beer. People that let me stay at their place when I had issues at my house.

The root of my distrust issues came from online interactions. I took a break for a month and found out how toxic it was on me. So when I meet new people, I air on the side of caution. Nothing wrong with that. Especially now how people are this day in age

As for being anxious, Nothing to be anxious about. Meet the people as acquaintances. If things evolve for them to become friends, good. That's the approach I take. I know a lot of people but only trust a really small amount of them.

Well, I can relate with this because it is hard for me to trust but not only that. I question and worry a lot. Some of it is because of the past but not only that. Just seeing/hearing about how others were treated can make you think and sometimes it's because you've been hurt before. Though, it is not weird to be fearful, scared, negative, worried, etc..

Just have to give yourself some positivity once in awhile and give yourself a smile thinking about the good things.

Finding someone hard to trust only means that you're different from before. That said it isn't a bad thing considering the various groups of lovely folks you'll come across in the fandom.

I'll share something that a good midwestern buddy of mine once said:

Think of interactions with people as a transaction, and the person themselves as a bank account. Every time there's a positive or genuine interaction, consider if a deposit on this back account. If it turns up bad, think of it as a debit/withdrawal on the account.

Every time you interact with a bank that has built up a lot of balance, you can trust them to be your true friends. Be yourself. Be you.

I reckon you should make peace with how your psyche has shaped and just find a unique way to cope with someone new you meet.

The Only way to trust some one in life is to know them very well and talk alot to them i have 30 close friends that i trust and they trust me i keep my words and i do not share them.

Your past actions dictate how you are treated in the future.

You can change. But what's done is done. Make the best of it.

You too ⭐