>>1 you have a sort of a conundrum, you have to realize that your loneliness stems from your inability to trust in others. You need to decide which is more important, overly protecting yourself which results in acute loneliness or if you're willing to risk your emotions for human relationships and affections.
Humans are social creatures and loneliness is completely natural, we all crave the affection of other's; even if we don't realize/admit it.
I like to think of relationships, especially love, to be similar to a game or even a gamble. You have to take a chance on someone and let yourself become somewhat vulnerable to them and trust them in order for you to have the chance of the relationship becoming something meaningful. However it's a gamble because you are at risk of getting hurt.
Frankly, I believe that this "risk" is completely worth it. If you get hurt you can always move on and find someone better for you. And if it does work out, then you gain the affection that you crave and a meaningful relationship. Relationships are two-sided in effort, both people have to try and make it work. You don't have to force yourself right away, take it slowly, let people gain your trust, which is what everyone should do anyway, you can't trust people right away, that's a given. Just keep working on your ability to trust others, even with hurtful set backs, keep trying and you'll succeed. I hope that this helps :3
