Are we lonely because we are too picky or too nervous?

The government have appointed a minister for loneliness but from people I know I can see they don’t take up chances to do activities  or go to places where they might meet others
One lady is a brilliant knitter but will not go to a group of knitters weekly as ” they are all old people” and so is she
She liked going to church but stopped.She stopped attending an art class as they were all strangers… well, that is obvious.I think she is affected by class and status too and we are all guilty of forgetting other people have less money or less education than the middle class.
I asked a couple of people would they come to an art class and they immediately said they were no good.I was told I was no good at school but found I was better than I expected~
So fear of failure still affects us even after working and bringing up children the sharp  blows of childhood and  unkind teachers still stop us having a go at something.
I wonder what this minister will do.I have a number of Catholic neighbours who have hardly spoken to me since I was widowed but 2 Muslims have been wonderful as have some atheists
I suppose the message of compassion  in the Bible is not strong enough to overcome the fear of experiencing another person’s grief;or  you fear that they will  become dependent on you.
So if we live alone, let’s see if we can help ourselves a bit as well as hoping for new initiatives from the Government.
I have a very friendly spider in the bathroom.That’s a start,I guess!