Wow, i relate on so many levels. I’m an extreme introvert and i’ve never had any close friends. I feel alone too.
It’s so hard to find people who will just “let you be” and accept you for who you are. They usually want you to be what they want. But you are who you are and if they can’t accept that, than why are we to be expected to please them and accept them in the first place?
It’s a good thing actually that you have lesser friends. Now is a good time for you to grow your inner confidence and try to ask yourself on what you want in life. What type of people you want around you? Finding people like this is not easy but we’re out there. We’re probably as stuck as you are and need a guiding light.
I do feel less lonely after reading your post. It reminds me that i’m not alone although the brain tells you otherwise. We are really much more than that.