Growing up: if independence is the only strategy that you know (whether it be taught, or self developed), then independence is your strategy for survival. Regardless of how much you energy you pour into this single strategy, it’s still a survival strategy. Think of it like picking a warrior class in gaming. Did you ask for help and support, and then crapped on because you were a “noob”? Now that you are older (higher level), do you continue the cycle of crapping on noobs?
Often times, this means what you are familiar with are people who are independent, and bridge building strategies are foreign and under-leveled up. Do you justify pouring more energy into your independence, because you aren’t good at asking for help/building bridges? Think of this like understanding warrior builds. You know the optimizations and attack strategies. Do you hyper level to 80 to take on level 20 bosses? Do you know how to LFG (Looking for Group?)
If you are struggling with loneliness and building bridges, take a honest look at yourself and ask: Did I have opportunities to learn what authentic connections looked like? Were there points in my life where I put honest work into learning to make connections? Do you know how to extend relationships beyond LFG? Carry the relationship into topics outside of the game?