Thanks to all for your feedback on this and at least considering the potential issues increases in diary/journal threads on a particular forum could cause, in the future. I know there are still not an overwhelming number of them, but if there ever are, DocJohn, I am glad you will look at this issue again.
Wild Coyote, thanks for looking at the issue from all perspectives.
Christina, just to clarify, I am not referring to the insomnia thread, as I see that as a topic thread, and not a diary/journal thread.
I confess that I do not participate in the diary/journal threads because I find my regular forum's "Check-in" thread sufficient for journaling purposes and is more of a community thread about all of us. Sometimes I struggle to keep up with the posts there, but try hard. But that's just one thread for journaling purposes. I do like the members who have started their own journal threads. It's not that I don't, but unless it is more than just a journal thread focused solely on one member's miscellaneous mind meanderings, I steer clear. Yes, there may only be 3 or 4 such threads that are on page 1 of a particular forum, but if 5? Is that a bit much? Six? Seven? Imagine seeing on a forum's first page:
- Igor's Thread #2
- Jackie's Mind Meanderings #1
- Racing Thoughts? (not a journal thread)
- Ting Li's Thread #4
- Those with insomnia (not a journal thread)
- Allison's Thoughts Du Jour #2
- Kim's Thread #3
- Check-in Thread #9 (a general community thread)
- Need Advice on Bipolar and Job (not journal)
- Buggs' Daily Banter #6
- I got fired (NOT a journal thread - topic)
- Etc.
The above would be overwhelming to me, and would deter me from participating if it was the first time seeing the forum. I agree that too many rules, themselves, can be a deterrent, but there might come a time when, for a forum's well-being, that some limits (or relocations) could be beneficial, in my view.
I have seen other mental health forums (not PC) eventually fold because of various factors. My feedback here is offered out of a love for PC.