Actually learned to open up a bit in my DBT group. Learned how mostly to try to give an overview, not all the massive details.
After that group, with friends I only said something if it comes up in conversation.
I just got involved in some leadership training for the Celebrate Recovery group that is starting for the community in Jan. 2024. Our small study group is amazing & has bonded so well, we are able to share & talk over everything with each other. Never experienced this before in my life & we all realize we do have many similarities even though different....it is nice to have others who understand to open up to. None of us feel pathetic because we know everyone understands.
Outside of groups like that like I said....only open up when it is part of the conversation & especially when it has been a personal exlerience I have had & the discussion needs some enlightenment cause they seem to have a limited point of view. I was only able to do this once I got to know what I had gone through & the words to express well what my personal experience actually was.....at that point my understanding is expert & I don't feel pathetic because then I am in control of opening up & expressing my personal experience which many times is so different from their unknowledgable perception built in no experience.