Posted by kalyb on June 20, 2003, at 13:33:32
In reply to Re: Maybe it's just me » kalyb, posted by Dinah on June 19, 2003, at 16:34:27
> It's the posts that seem to be hinting that certain posters understand what other posters are saying, or know who they are, or things like that. Even in the cases where I can pretty easily guess what's going on. Because then I feel like I need to be very careful in what I say so as not to give away what I think I might know.
-------------------------I've only been here for 6 weeks, and at first I glanced at the PB Social board and thought that everyone knew everyone else. It was daunting. I stuck to reading about meds on PB instead.
Then I started reading more Social posts. I can't remember what my first post was, but it might have been someone with a problem that I totally empathised with. So I posted. Then I got frustrated with things and posted a vent/rant and got masses of sympathy. I realised that here is the one place on earth and cyberspace where there are people who understand.
I feel safe here. I feel I can let my imagination run riot if I like. I can reveal my feelings. I can rant. I can hug. I can dredge up pearls of wisdom I didn't know I had and see them please someone who is hurting, which in turn makes me happy and feel valued. I can speak to total strangers here without fear of rejection. I can even tease without fear of it backfiring.
I guess I've got to the point where I value this board so much, and find it so helpful, that I no longer see it as a private party or a clique. All social groups, societies, clubs and gatherings have cliques anyway, and to outsiders they always look closer and more buddy-buddy than they are on the inside. You either let that bother you, or you join one of your own and enjoy just being there, and it's good to remember to look out for newcomers staring at you, afraid of your clique, thinking they've walked into the wrong party - extend a hand of welcome if you can.
Kalyb xx
poster:kalyb
thread:235163
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20030617/msgs/235485.html