Fixated, this is just an idle thought, but what would have been so wrong in starting a thread like this in order to get some recognition and validation of yourself from others, especially if you've been feeling like you don't belong or fit in or have been ignored?

Calling it a potential ploy for attention holds a negative moral meaning and I wonder if that isn't getting in the way of your feeling free and ok to take in liking and acceptance and positive stuff when it comes your way here (or IRL for that matter too)?

Funny you should mention the Couch because just before I read this thread I was looking at posting there because I really wanted to just give a couple of updates on how I was feeling and what I'd been doing without starting a whole new thread, and the Couch really is so fast moving and covers every topic under the sun that it felt wrong to try and muscle in with serious stuff when I'd not posted there before, and end up feeling resentful because no-one would have noticed my posts. I know you didn't want to pick on that thread specifically, but the very nature of that thread may have contributed to how you ended up feeling.

It's interesting how many people feel marginalized or like they don't belong, even those who from the outside appear to be really comfortable posting in the group. I find it comes in phases - sometimes I feel like a total alien and have no right to be here at all, other times I feel welcomed and accepted and very much like I might belong. Those times are usually when I've been pretty active posting so maybe there's something to be said for making a supreme effort and really working at reaching out to people especially when you least want to (which is what you've done by posting this thread, good on you!)

I hope you do feel a bit more accepted and like you belong now ((((( Fixated )))))

Torn