Is it just me?

Is it just me or are there really more and more posts that are not being replied to or only having maybe 1 reply???

I used to go through the forums and reply to anyone who hadn't had an answer even after a day or so... but I quit posting so much to give the admin rest on reading (I used to post 100 replies a day!)

But lately I thought I'd give it more time and rather than take the time to reply in PM or visitor message, post. I seem to be finding unanswered posts rather easily.

Maybe it's the holiday stress and more are joining and others are stressed out or not around because of the holiday events.

Maybe it's just me thinking that way.

The holidays seem to create an interesting dynamic in the world of forums such as this.

First, people are not around as much and as such do not have the time to commit to replying as much as they normally would. In addition, the holiday season creates some intense emotional feelings in people and that in turn leads them to come to places like this looking for support. So essentially there are more people joining than usual and fewer people replying than usual. This causes a large number of unrelied or under replied posts.

Personally I just feel like my responses aren't making that much of a difference and that I don't know what to say to people. I want to "fix" their problems, but I feel like I don't have the knowledge within me to say the right things to them. So I end up not saying anything at all.

Dark Dreams touched on a good point. The holidays are a hard time for most. There are a lot of new members and veterian members do the best they can to keep up. But they have issues to deal with themselves. It is just a different dynamic all around. I try to keep up but there are so many new posts that it is hard to reach them all.

SophiaG- anything you offer is of help. Even if it is just a hug it still means something to the person who is in need of help. Sometimes saying nothing at all is worth a thousands words....a hug is of great help and warming to the soul

As someone who has been suicidal and depressed before, I've learned that you don't have to be extremely knowledgeable to make someone feel better. A simple "I'm always here for you, and I care about you," can sometimes be enough to make someone feel a whole lot better. Maybe they don't hear that they're cared about enough, and they simply want someone to offer their support. You don't have to know exactly what to say. What counts is that you say anything at all.

As you see, it's just you

I think it's the natural ebb and flow of time of year and weekday versus weekend, etc. There seem to be a lot more new people to me, too.

I too have been bothered by the number of unanswered posts. I know when I have posted in need there is nothing more sad than to see that 0 in the reply box thankfully I am in a stable enough place that they are not crisis (?) posts.
I feel like a bit of a busy body poking my nose into issues I know little or nothing about but I try to say something. And I have found that even if I post something "stupid" it at least gets the thread to the new messages section where I usually hang and that helps get it some more attention.
I just wish there was an easier way to find them.
The Holidays suck for me as it is only me and my son and because of his special needs we have been isolated even more than ever. I can't even volunteer at a food pantry because he wouldn't be able to come. I have found that responding to people here has been a huge help. I am giving back and it is a wonderful distraction.
I really wish there was a way to subscribe to a forum and get a notice when a new thread came up in that forum.

Thanks DocJohn! So it wasn't just me wondering

(DocJohn has added an option to search for any unanswered posts!

I have been for various reasons unable to spend as much time on the box as I would otherwise wish to. This means that I tailor my responses and it usually means I answer threads I have ben following or peopl i understand the problems of enough to feel I can offer something. Thanks for joggin me out oof my rut. I will try to look around more HUGGGGSSSSS

I think the option to search for unanswered posts is great. When there's not much action on the forum, I'd rather try and find a post that can do with a few words of encouragement.

I ersonally hardly log on during the weekends, as I mainly log on from work (Else my boyfriend can search through my browsing history and ask questions) - for some people it may be the same, or even the opposite, so traffic I think will vary according to time of the week too.
With holidays, people may be away.

I do however feel for someone that is reaching out for help, and has 0 replies. I hope these posts are found by someone...

Thanks for showing such concern! ((JD))

Hey Sugahorse

There has to be a way on your computer of hiding your browsing history so that others can't see it. I have mine set up that way. Try going to the "Help" section to search for the directions, or ask someone at work!

I know that when you log out from here, all cookies are cleared.
It's just easier for me to not go onto PC on weekends..

JD! you're a sweetie! I used to seek them out and answer them. I've been offline for a couple of weeks because I was doing other things (dancing out naked under the full moon takes a lot of planning, gotta be wary of doggy doo ya know!).

There are a huge amount of new people here, though a lot of them just come in and read there are a fixed number who are an active part of our community. I found when I first started that not many people answered my posts. I honestly felt that it was because people were waiting to see what I would be like.

Because no one answered my posts I answered everyone elses, that fixed em! lol...Then folks started to respond as they became more comfortable with me. Those who never got comfy with me just ignored me, still do. That doesn't bother me at all, we are all drawn to those we are similar to in some way (or more to the point repelled by them because they are a mirror). And never having been in a community like this one I had to learn the netiquette; and though I blooped a few times and made mistakes I found that at least 5 people accepted me (Thank you my beautiful friend Starlight* the first)...

Oft times around this portion of the year having had the christian celebration drummed into them most of their life, people are at odds with wanting a family celebration and not wanting the family..."gimme the pressie and nick off" type of thing. Just joking there...

Now that I've probably gone off topic and can't remember what the thread's about I'll leave...but I'm sure I came in with really good intentions

Sometimes when I read unnswered post I am in a bad way myself and dont know what to reply, It's hard to give encouragement when you are feeling like crap yourself. And if I do try to reply and its sounds depressing I delete.

It is impossible for anyone, and should not be expected either, to keep up with new posts all of the time. We all do the best we can. Unfortunately, there are always going to be some threads / posts that don't generate a wanted interest. It's life.