Always drifting, always searching...

I’ve recently experienced some hurtful accusations. Despite knowing that opinions are not facts, it’s difficult not to let them affect you. It seems like these “friends” can do a 360 turn on you by spreading rumors or passing judgment. They go through some sort of external validation process where opinions eventually become facts, after a while even I start second guessing myself. The older I become, the more people I encounter, the more alone I feel. Counter intuitive right? Even I don’t understand what this means. It seems that the only way to prevent this is to tread carefully in life, or be anti-social. But what if I’m not comfortable with either. What if I just want to find the right people? I guess I’ll just have to be ready, friend or foe.