[hayward]

I know this issue must have been addressed before, but I am new here and curious.
Does anyone here ever worry about someone they know finding this site and recognizing who they are??

I know a lot of the posts are general, but sometimes they are not. Sometimes when I think of describing situations, I worry someone will recognize who I am and look at my other posts.

I really don't want that to keep me from posting.

[indigo1015]

I definitely know what you mean, hayward... I constantly worry about that, too. Like you, I still post my thoughts, which is a really good thing, because, if I'm too busy thinking about what a friend or colleague may think of my post (should they figure out it is by me), I'm not thinking about what I need, right then and there. Generally, I think people are so wrapped up in themselves that they don't notice the particulars of someone's post - and of course, if they are on here, that indicates they need to vent or get advice as well. So, although the thought of someone you know recognizing you on here is scary, I would definitely say, keep posting and looking out for yourself :-)

[wing]

I think, too, that there are so many posts put up every day that the chances of someone recognizing you are slim if you're careful not to give details that would point to you (names, dates, places). I am particularly careful about posting details on my page, and recommend using a unique screen name so you feel safe and comfortable. Many of us have had or do have similar issues, so I agree: continue to post and to get the support you need.

[Ygrec23]

An entirely realistic concern, Hayward. If you do as the other posters suggest, and leave out really personal details, it's highly doubtful that others will identify you here. Keep in mind that an almost infinite sea of words is launched on the internet every single day. Even if search engines can pick up posts to threads (which they can), remember that each such search picks up tens or hundreds of thousands of hits. It's kind of like being in Times Square on New Year's Eve and having someone try to identify you, there on the ground, from the top of one of the surrounding skyscrapers. However, if you do go in for personalized blogging (rather than blogging on some professional issues or a particular intellectual subject), make sure that your blog is not public. Otherwise it WILL show up loud and clear on Google or any other good search engine. Take care!

[kikki27]

Originally Posted by hayward

I know this issue must have been addressed before, but I am new here and curious.
Does anyone here ever worry about someone they know finding this site and recognizing who they are??

I know a lot of the posts are general, but sometimes they are not. Sometimes when I think of describing situations, I worry someone will recognize who I am and look at my other posts.

I really don't want that to keep me from posting.

No It dont bother me cause this site too me Is a good place for me to vent instead of holding all that stuff in.

[SophiaG]

I'd worry if I were using the same username over and over on different mediums (blogs, forums, Instant Messaging clients) Vary the usernames and you should be good.

[salukigirl]

I have had that happen but only because my ex found out I was on this site and looked at all my old posts. It wasn't by chance though. He did it intentionally. Hence I used the word ex. I have been on here over 3 years and have never had anyone randomly recognize me though.

[Lizabelle]

We worry about that too, Hayward. Because the parents know we are on here, we feel like we have to be at least a little bit careful or they will find out everything that its wrong with us. That would not be good, by any means.

However, if you are just worried about a random person recognizing you from your personal life, then we would say that the chances are very slim,especially with the number of posts that are on this site!

[Yesterdays]

I used to worry about this, on other sites mostly, but then I kind of realized I didn't really care. If someone thought of me differently if they were to read more personal posts, then it's their loss and not mine; they don't deserve to be in my life.

But I can understand your concern, and I think as long as you keep your information limited (such as your state, location, name, email, etc) then you should be fine. Someone would really have to do a lot of searching to find you on such a large site.

[Perna]

Long ago I decided I would always back myself up, whatever I wrote, I would make sure it was what I wanted to say at the time and was said the best I could say it. I also have learned that my experiences are in the past and others knowing them, in detail, does not mean they know or control me in any way; I am not my experiences, they are just things I did or had happen to me in the past, past ways of thinking or being and they have helped me grow into who I am now but are not Me, now.

So, telling the world I use to go to the bathroom in my pants and my second grade teacher "sniffed" me out one day and it was horribly embarrassing (one of those "please floor, open up and swallow me" days) but it is not now and I feel compassion for that younger self and anyone who knew me then (or now), reading about that experience, will also feel compassion for me as I was then or not "get" me now so not be important to me now.