You're too closed off.

[Sanity Panda]

This is an issue that keeps getting brought up with my closest friendships. They acknowledge that things are probably fine, but worry the times I do have difficulty, they won't know and can't help as a friend. When people tell me that I'm too reserved. It's not that I'm hiding some dark secert from them, scared that I'd be rejected if I showed my true self. The only fear I hold is the belief that people close to me will realise that I'm already usually showing them myself.

Many introverts have a rich inner world once people get to know them. Therefore when people ask me to open up. I wonder if they're looking for that inner world. It bothers me to the extent that I end up hiding from close friends.

Looking to identify the problem and perhaps even a solution.

[angies]

I have a friend like that. He is very sweet most of the time. But he is very private, I sort of can tell if he feels down but he never tell me why. I tried for while to encourage him to talk to me about whatever bother him but he never did. I sort of accept him for who he is and just be there for him during bad times. Just a hello, a light joke to make him laugh. If that makes him feels a little better than it is ok with me.

It never bother me how much people want to keep private and how much they want to open. It never affect our friendships. We show love and affection and care in many ways. Not by revealing your secret inner world to each other. Although I do enjoy doing that myself and have friends who i can talk intimately with.

You are who you are. One day when you find someone who you can trust, then may be you can open yourself up to them. Until then just be yourself.