@Former-Member Good morning
You have gone to sleep, and I will probably be in the move when you wake up, but I wanted to just drop this in here in case it helps you .......
I took a while following along with other posts before I had the courage, or maybe it was the confidence in the anonymous nature of the forums, to share my personal story across the various threads.
In coming looking for help, I had opened up on what I consider to be "my own" personal thread, but that was from a viewpoint of seeking help from the moderators, who I assume have counselling backgrounds mostly. Or at least experience, and from there receiving feedback from other support agencies who are affiliated with the forums for exactly that reason (Eating Disorders Victoria, PANDA, etc). It was in contacting EDV initially that an online counsellor suggested I join the forums. The issue we are battling is long-term, as is the case for many people here, and as you have found, and I did too, it sure helps to be walking that distance in the company of others who care.
The more you do choose to share, it can be amazing to find how many others have lives that mirror some sort of aspect of yours, if not all ........
If anyone who knew me personally outside the forums joined together all the dots I have left in various thread all over the place here, they would most certainly work out who I am, and in doing so, be aware of a lot of personal information about me and my life story, but he chances of that happening are extremely small. Not only that, but for them to be signed onto these forums, it would be with the understanding that they are struggling with intense personal issues of their own, and I hope they would find comfort in finding me here too. There is an empathy relationship to be had right there.
If I have triggered others with what I have had to share, they have been very patient with me. I am still a bit self-conscious about that, but I hope and would expect that something would be said to gently dissuade me from continuing with that line of conversation. On the whole, the "likes" system gives you feedback, and I have been overwhelmed at times to find so much encouragement and support in the things I have shared in this way.
I am sure too, that focussing as I do on finding the most positive outcomes, and most positive way forward that I can, is likely to get on some people's nerves ..... we are not all the same, and you can't ever please everybody ...... but I haven't been made conscious of that, and everyone here has the option of not responding to, or even avoiding, those whose company they may feel uncomfortable with in this moment without having to drop their association with those who they really connect with.
It is a very giving and forgiving community here, and I am feeling blessed by it more than I can tell you.
Big hugs, and thank you to everyone.
🌷❤️🌷
