I guess it is hard because different people have different ideas of where appropriate boundaries are...

And different people have different notions of what it takes to show respect...

And different people have different abilities to understand things from anothers point of view to really understand how strong someones desires can be.

I've posted on a few message boards... I find that there is (invariably) a considerable variety of people on the message boards. Not just mental health ones either.

Sometimes people transgress the boundaries of other people - but they really didn't mean to cause offence / upset. Sometimes people are ready to interpret that someone meant them harm (because people have meant them harm and harmed them before). It can be hard...

I've felt like I've had my trust / confidence etc breeched from most every site I've posted at. It can be hard... Oh so hard at the time... To try and think that mostly people mean well and they didn't mean to hurt (though it is true they will likely get defensive if i have a go at them). And when people do wish me harm... It can be oh so hard to remember that... Everyone has issues. And the people who hurt (whether accidentally or intentionally) Well... They are probably the ones who need the most help...

Life is funny sometimes (funny strange not funny ha ha). People can be funny. The power to help... When people respond kindly. The power to harm... When people respond (perhaps unthinkingly) from their own stuff.

Sometimes I wish I could withdraw from the world and never let people hurt me again. But sometimes other peoples kindness is what keeps me going in life.

Hard to find the balance... I don't know. Just rambelling really. Sorry.