Journey, you are so right in saying this process is lonely. Once you become inactive and irregular at meetings, you will "fall through the cracks" at the local KHall. That's not always bad -- just read the posts from people who have been hounded by the Elders because they said too much before they attempted to leave. Some have been hounded down and harassed until they finally DAd or could be DFd. Still, most are usually surprised that they get no phone calls or visits from their "friends" at the Hall.
It's lonely too, because in the real world, friends are not "automatic". There is no artificial love bombing. And making new friends is the most difficult task in setting up one's new life outside the Borg (IMO). Most people are busy and, of course, they have already developed their group of friends over the past 30, 40, or 50 years. It appears to me that old friends from college are the most frequent long-term friends, as well as current workmates.
Most JWs didn't go to college; have alienated themselves from workmates (maybe even offended them); and have never pursued any outside interests or hobbies. Our lives revolved around JW activities and most often excluded everything and anyone else. By avoiding holidays with family, many of us became alienated from them too.
Good luck,
Doc
