Being left out stings, like big time. Social exclusion causes feelings of jealousy, rejection and makes you feel as if there is something wrong with you; these emotions are completely normal and natural.

We are social animals; we look for groups with similar interests or traits. When our need for social interaction is not met, feelings of pain are a natural response. This doesn’t make it any easier, but just know it is not only you.

Feeling left out or excluded impacts our self-esteem and self-worth. Here are a few resources that might help, if you’re finding it difficult to deal with these feelings alone.

If you are feeling excluded, try figure out what is making you feel this way. Was it a particular event, like a party or gathering that it seems everyone else was invited to? or has it been a collection of smaller events that implies a divide between you and everyone else?

Once you have got the root of the problem, try to open up to friends about how you are feeling. This could be an issue easily solved with honest and open communication, that is done in the right space, and at the right time. They might not have even realised that they left you out, or if they did intentionally do it, then you can reconsider whether you need to find other people to be around.