((((((((((stephc)))))))))))

Hi stephc,

What you are feeling is pretty normal, many people come here and quietly try to share their issue in their introduction. Then it pretty much follows with an appology. A sense of them feeling like they are intruding or don't know what others here will think.

My first couple of weeks here, well, I was triggered alot. And there were many things I didn't know about chat and even the protocall. I was really going through alot outside PC and needed support.

I think it was my second week and I was really triggered and even thinking about leaving PC, that it may just be a way for people to hurt me somehow, I didn't really know. But, then I noticed something, I had made about 10 friends. So, thinking about that, I decided to give it another try.
And I went into a chat and someone was very comforting and helped me understand how to click on someones name and see what their issue was and how to whisper etc.

And then I got to see how it worked in a good way. People used it to comfort me and it really helped me overcome it being there and wondering if when it got quiet, well it didn't mean others were talking about me or making fun of me. It was a way to work on that feeling that you describe.

You have to give it time and realize that yes, other people can get triggered and you may not even know. But, it helps to understand how others feel and what other people struggle with, not only in PC but also outside PC.

Somehow we all seem to learn that here and see each other as people in repair. Are there going to be people that don't like you? probably, I have some of those too. But I don't dislike them, I actually try my best to understand them and try also to let them have their space. You are not going to understand everyone here stephc. But if your patient, you will learn things about others and even yourself. Sometimes its hard for me as I really want to get along with another person who may not like me for some reason. But sometimes the best way to do that is to just give them space.

If you go into a chat, try to say things that sound clear and reasonable.
That would be very beneficial and self healing for you. That may be something that you can work on here. You can also explain to others briefly that you have trouble in this area and you are trying to learn how to overcome it.

It can be a good place to work on your people skills and well, many people here are trying and they come here to share their private thoughts and struggles. Sometimes others don't have answers right away, it doesn't mean that your imposing or are unwanted.

I have met some amazing people here that struggled in their own way and they do often have self esteem issues and yet they are inspiring me. I can see how hard they are trying, they are all trying and they are so supportive, something that is good medicine.

Just about everyone comes to PC to try learn how to share and get support and not only understand their own issues but support others that have the same issues. So give it time. Try to not let yourself feel like others don't like you, no one here really knows you yet, and you have to keep in mind to try to work on making sense in a chat.

Try not to babble as that can scare others. Try to work at actually talking in ways that others can relate. That would be my suggestion and you don't aways have to talk in a chat, you can just read and see how others intreact. People do that too.

Ease up,

Open Eyes