Throw a pie in their face! What could be better?

A lot of things could be better, actually! Here is what I think...

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Dear Advice Needed,

This is a tough question, but I'll do my best to give some advice that has helped me. 

If you are in a new place with people you don't know, try starting up conversations. Have some questions in the back of your mind (do you like to read? do you play an instrument? do you have any brothers or sisters?) that you can ask so it isn't just awkward silence.

Sometimes, though, it can be hard to find people to talk with. Girls especially can form cliques, small groups of friends that always stick together. Sometimes they mean to keep people out of their friendship circle, but mostly they just want hang out with people they know already, and not have to do the work of making new connections.

If you're in a situation like that, try to find other people who don't have anyone to hang out with. If you have friends already, don't be afraid to go off and make more. Real friends won't stop being your friend if you talk to other people sometimes.

Do you feel shy talking to other people? Try planning out the sorts of things you want to say beforehand. You could even write them down. If you can remember some good conversation topics while talking to someone, 

Also, don't feel like you have to stick to making friends who are your same age or gender. A five-year-old or an elderly person wouldn't be the sort of friend you'd have over to your house for a sleepover, but you can get to know them anyway.

Sorry, that was really long. Hope it helps! 

~ The Giver of Advice 

Dear Nameless, 

Admin has some really good ideas there! If you live in an area where places are within walking distance, see if you're allowed to walk there by yourself. 

And even if you're not aiming to go anywhere, a quick walk might help when you feel like you're closed in. If you're not allowed to go by yourself, see if you may do it if you stay within sight of where you live. Just getting outdoors and moving around, even if it's just in the backyard, can be surprisingly invigorating. 

You kind of seem like the type of person who likes to have something to do. On days when you don't have anything going on outside of home, try working on something at home, like redecorating your room. That might give you something more to focus on. 

I hope your mom recovers! That must be really tough. I hope this helps a little. 

~ The Giver of Advice 

Dear Notsaying,

I had a very similar problem several years ago. There hasn't been anything that really clears up the situation for me entirely, but here are some tips:

- Don't be afraid to ask questions about what they're talking about. Often I find that my friends really enjoy retelling some event, or outdoing each other with stories of a certain teacher's strangeness.

- Do you have any time to talk after class? That might be better, because you could focus the conversation more on the dance class itself, which you were also a part of.  

- Do you ever see the girls outside of dance class? If not, you might not to keep up a close relationship with them. You shouldn't dump them-- it seems like you have some fun times together-- but it might be better to focus on other friendships more. 

- Overall I just recommend keeping talking with them and asking questions. 

Hope that helped some!

~ The Giver of Advice 

Nope, I'm not miss advice. I was the first comment, though, Advice Needed. 

Are you CHO?  

Dear Help,

That's a sad situation! Here are some ideas:

- Try having conversations with older kids or even adults with similar interests. If you go to a church that can be a good place to do so. 

- Consider being a part of a group focusing on one of your interests (for example, if you love acting join a theatre group). You might meet some kids there more similar to you.

~ The Giver of Advice