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Hi - I am just here to be seen :)

IdentityFerretCasual Contributor01 May 2025, 12:50 pm AEST

Hi - I am just here to be seen :)

I am new to these forums. I struggle with speaking up like.... everywhere, so I am trying to break the ice. Once the first one is done, the next shouldn't feel as big right?

I am having a rough patch. I feel like I have been motivated and persistent and assertive about doing (or at least trying) everything suggested and currently don't have any new ideas to try. I'm not feeling optimistic about life ever being a bit easier than it has been.

So I am here. Trying something anyway.

5 replies

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In response to: Hi - I am just here to be seen :)

PengTingSenior Contributor01 May 2025, 1:10 pm AEST

Re: Hi - I am just here to be seen :)

Welcome, it sounds like your struggling with things at the moment. I just want to highlight the courage it takes to take that first step in trying something new. Hopefully you find what your looking for from using this forums.

In response to: Hi - I am just here to be seen :)

Till23Senior Contributor01 May 2025, 1:47 pm AEST

Re: Hi - I am just here to be seen :)

Hi @IdentityFerret and welcome to the forums

I have found them to be a friendly and supportive place.

It is very courageous of you to reach out here, and I hope subsequent posts will be a bit easier for you.

I hope trying the forums will turn out to be a good thing for you

In response to: Hi - I am just here to be seen :)

MJG017Senior Contributor01 May 2025, 2:18 pm AEST

Re: Hi - I am just here to be seen :)

Hi @IdentityFerret, welcome to the forum.

Yes, the first time reaching out and sharing your struggles is so hard. It took me just over 40 years to do it, so it was especially hard for me to do, and it took me another 10 years to give it another go. so I think you've make a great first step. It does get easier, especially if you find a group of supportive people. Just take it a step at a time and don't worry if it feels like it's taking too long. Everyone needs their own amount of time to work on these things. It does get easier. You just need to learn to be kind to yourself and expect the same from others. It sounds simple I know, but our heads get in the way. I hope that you find this first step helpful and can start feeling more optimistic and continue to build from there.

In response to: Hi - I am just here to be seen :)

Ed1975Senior Contributor01 May 2025, 3:35 pm AEST

Re: Hi - I am just here to be seen :)

Hi @IdentityFerret ,

Like @MJG017 it took me until recently (I'm now 50) to speak up in these forums. It's not easy and I applaud you for it. I'm amazed at the amount of support on here. Keep your chin up.

In response to: Re: Hi - I am just here to be seen :)

Till23Senior Contributor01 May 2025, 5:36 pm AEST

Re: Hi - I am just here to be seen :)

I'm in my 60s @IdentityFerret @Ed1975 @MJG017 I started seriously addressing my cPTSD in my late 50s and joined forum at 60. I had some treatment for depression since age 30, but I didn't really go into underlying reasons, mostly medication for depression.

So there are many people who are hesitant to speak up or come forward (or whatever term you like to use) this is a broad ranging but definitely inclusive and supportive community. I have not found this anywhere else, not of course that I'd really pursued it!

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