Friday Coffee and Chat -- 12th December 2025

@DahliaDreams I think most folks here can probably relate to how exhausting it can be to mask like that!! Well, never any obligation to do so here hun, this is a space where most people can relate, and I've found that most here are able to just see people where they're at, and offer acceptance and connection without judgement or pressure.

Aww love it @Shaz51 - those are the plants that like, collect the rain, right? Love the little pink centre!!

I like the pink centered ones too @Jynx

The plain ones spread more and don't look as good

Hello @Rosepetal96

This is the social space that @Jynx is talking about

We can talk about anything

Do you have furbabies

@Jynx has 2 cats 🐈

Any excuse to share em hehe @Shaz51

@Rosepetal96 @DahliaDreams @Lapis_Anteater @Krishna

Ohh 😍 lovely ❤️ @Jynx

Always love seeing your beautiful cats

Hi @DahliaDreams

cc: @Jynx, @Shaz51

"I feel my anxiety as racing thoughts, sleeplessness and difficulty concentrating, exhaustion and probably avoiding social situations. Also, I tend to mask all my emotions so no-one asks "What's wrong?" and I don't have to explain."

...that sounds really tough, DahliaDreams. I'm sorry to hear that you are going through so much stress.

I don't know if my approach to working through these types of situations will be helpful considering your discomfort with explaining yourself, but for me doing just that has helped. It wasn't easy, since I thought for decades that my story wasn't fit for public consumption, and so I was very isolated which made things much worse than the actual reason for my initial suffering. But once I was able to make my 'public persona' fit my actual identity, much of the anxieties and stress was manageable. But it can be hard to open up, especially if these thoughts are painful and humiliating.

All I can say is that you are in a great space with people that care for your wellbeing. I imagine most have had lived experience and are very competent in listening without the need to judge or be unsupportive. So you are invited to share with us anything that you need to. Perhaps just start small and build up your confidence.

Kindest regards

Jase.

Thanks @J_Oz, @Shaz51, @Jynx,

It is good of you all to respond. I will take the time later today to write more about what's going on for me. I do keep a journal and I find that helps me to process things.

Thanks again.

Hello @Rosepetal96 😊

How is your weekend going my friend 🧡

@DahliaDreams , @J_Oz , @Jynx , @Lapis_Anteater

I don't have any furbabies unfortunately, but I do love admiring pictures of them ☺️