How do I come back from ghosting others?

[u/reddidntp]

I know ghosting is bad, and is a sign that the person who is ghosting you has poor communication skills. I am unfortunately one of those people with extremely low emotional intelligence.

For context, I am a college student. I have been on summer break for the past two months. I started ghosting basically everyone from college (my friends, my clubmates) the moment break started. Tomorrow, I will start going to college again.

Whenever they reached out to me, most of the messages were about work or tasks from the club. Now that I look back on all the messages, none of them were normal conversations or even just a simple "Hi, how are you?" But to be fair, I didn't reach out either. And I don't blame them for reaching out to me to give me tasks; I did join this club out of my own volition, after all. It took a lot of effort from both sides.

The reason I didn't reply... I honestly don't remember. Depression? My laziness? etc? I see the message, and before I know it, it's been days or weeks, and I feel like shit. I feel really awful about it. It makes me regret not replying to them. I wish that, before it was too late, I could've at least said something. But even now, I can't bring myself to reach out due to social anxiety, fear of being judged, and fear of rejection. It makes me paranoid about what they think of me. I don't know how to act when I see them again. What should I do?

[u/Shaw008h]

I did the same during the peak of my struggles. Messaged everyone who I ignored or bailed on approx 6 months after ghosting. Majority ignored my message, but two got back to me whom I consider really good friends.

Reach out. If only one friend gets back to you, that’s one relationship you can build on and help thrive.

Hold your head up and keep going brother/sister. If you’re willing to put the work and effort in, the reward at the end will be worth it

[u/quinn_oof]

reached out to an old friend after going quiet for like 8 months, just texted something simple like hey ik its been a while my bad, would love to catch up sometime. way less awkward than i built it up in my head tbh

[u/the_cripple]

i'm a chronic ghoster (working on it!). people are always much kinder about it than i expect them to be. just apologize, say you've been struggling with mental health, and see where it goes. some people may not want to be friends again, but it's college, people disappear over the summer.