It must be really hard to feel so alone, especially when you look around and it appears as though everyone has what you want.

The fact that you make friends very easily is a definite plus--so what specifically do you think prevents you from developing close friendships? Do you have a list of "best friend" qualifications a mile long? Do you expect perfect alignment in a friendship? Total twenty-four/seven devotion? The absence of conflict? If that's the case, it would probably be difficult for any friendship to measure up, especially budding friendships in which people are still "sniffing" each other out.

The term "best friend" itself may even add to the pressure to establish perfect friendships--the idea being that since there's usually only one, he or she has to be the "best." But not everyone has best friends and some people don't believe in the idea of ranking friendships as such. (See our poll.) You may discover in the long run that you are not the sort of person who necessarily desires a best friend.

Much of this may have to do with family patterns. You mentioned that you only go out with your family. Is yours the sort that emphasizes familial togetherness over hanging out with friends? Hanging with your folks may provide the kind of security that makes you feel safe, even as you yearn for outside connections. Challenge yourself to break the pattern. Take the first step and ask someone you like to a movie, a concert or a bite to eat, then do it again and again. Try this with a few people and see where it leads. Being open and not trying to force anything will probably work best.