the more i stay, the more i get attached....
i start to have strong feelings for people here....
REM322 for instance, great guy... wish something more could come out of that.....
DOWNSOLONG.... another great guy, cheers me up most of the time, and so easy to like.
SQRLB8.. i relate so well to sqrl, in so many ways we share such a similar bipolar illness.....
DRUNKSUNFLOWER..... kick *** chick... fun to talk to and i wish could be my real life friend.
you are all great....
but reality and fantasy argue with each other.
and i realize how truly alone i am.'
i cant stay....
if i come back, i dont know if youll all even be here, im just so major depressed it is possible this is just my illness talking.
but lonliness and reality is consuming me.
i am so so very very sad......
and maybe ill just take a break.....
laterzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

[Sabrina_saw]

I have felt this exact same way. And I keep coming back. I have made some awesome friends. I have also lost some. I never believed or knew that I could feel so strongly for people that I have never met.

But I keep coming back. I find comfort, love, support, humour and most of all understanding. You know, to be able to whine about something and feel all alone and then have someone tell you they have been through it too or they know how you feel often makes the world of difference for me. It may not improve my mood, and it may not be a person IRL, but it is *something*. And that *something* has often brought me out of some very dark and deep places.

I am so sorry that it is so hard for you right now. I know that there is little one can say that will bring you comfort right now.

I just want you to know that I do understand, I do care. That I don't know you simply does not matter.

I know about sad too. Oh yes, I know about sad too.

Take a break if it will help you ccl - who knows who will be here when you return, but you know what? Someone will be here. Someone will always be here.

BTW, it took strength of character to delete your previous thread. Be proud of yourself for doing that.

You are a good person!

[drunksunflower]

Jen, I don't know what to say ... I wish you would stay, cos you are one of the people who makes me want to keep coming back to this site.

please don't look at this as just a random internet friendship ... it *is* real life, i mean i am spending a part of my life talking to u, so to me it is real (and i am sooo not the internet geek apart from this chatroom and my email!).

I know what you mean, it would be wicked to hang out properly, and i sooo hope that when i do make it to the States you will be there ... till then it will have to be drinks in the chatroom hehe

if it is easier for you to take a break then you should do so, but please keep in touch with me anyway,

drunksunflower@yahoo.com

take care of yourself beautiful,

Tara xx

[sqrlb8]

If acorns would fix this, you could have all of mine.

[sqrlb8]

My heart opens here too, and it's no less than terrifying. I thought when I came here, it would be "like" human contact. I was as wrong as wrong can be. It "is" human contact.

[kimmydawn]

((((((((((((((((((((( ccl )))))))))))))))))))) if ok

i'm sorry you're so sad right now. if you take a break, i hope you come back to us soon.

take care

[sqrlb8]

Sorry for the barrage, but I'm way wierd these days.

Thing is, I'd be an *** not to tell you that you are one big reason I come back.

Please, stay.

[Sabrina_saw]

I like that you said it *is* human contact. My mind stays with the people here long, long after I have stopped posting.

[vacantangel]

ccl, I hope you will stay. I think it is your depression talking. Right now, I'm majorly depressed too and I really don't even feel like talking with anyone, so I know how you feel. Take a break if you need to but I do hope that you will come back. We need you and you need us.

This post helped me when I was fed up with this community last year. Just take out the part about posting farewells again and again and adapt it as you need. It still contains some good advice that is applicable for almost all posters here.

Doc John posted the following to another poster late 2003 after they said they needed a break from here: Re: I just don't get it </font><blockquote><div id="quote"><font class="small">Quote:</font>
Everyone feels like they need to leave a group sometime, if they are an active participant in it. Whether it's an online support community like this, or a professional networking group, or even a hobbyist group. We all feel burned out by the group's issues, dealing with specific people we might not get along with, and just seeing a lot of similar topics come up over and over again.

This is normal. It means you're reacting to the online community in a healthy way.

Typically what I (and many others) do when we feel this way is to simply take a break. You can announce it, but if you do, stick to your plans to take the break. You can also choose just to do it quietly (which is easier for many folks). Taking a break is a healthy way to reconnect with your own needs and putting things in perspective.

Especially if you find yourself posting that you're leaving time and time again, that's a good sign that it may be time for a break. One part of you clearly wants to get away for awhile, and there's nothing wrong with that. I'd suggest listening to that part, and take a break for awhile. Come back in a week or however long feels right for you. Everyone will still be here. You'll be missed, but it's often for the best. (Heck, I do it all the time, here and many other places online!)

Best,
DocJohn

</div></font></blockquote><font class="post"> Take as long a break as needed sera369. Maybe a break would be good for you for now.

Like the Doc said it is often for the best. I know I've been happier when taking some time away after things get a little crazy here for me.

[wisewoman]

What a lovely thoughtful post. I tend to agree. Maybe I am better at boundaries then I thought?

[SpazKatt]

you'll be missed!

Jen, you are an amazing person... the reason I am here today. As with sqrl, a major reason I come back. While I am sad to know that I won't be seeing you around here anymore (only for a while hopefully), I am happy to see you doing what it takes to get well. Be safe. Be good. Love.

Ryan

[Wants2Fly]

Have a lovely break, feel better, and plz return when you are ready.

[Raynaadi]

I agree with the doc. I've taken several unannounced breaks, and it usually only lasts a few days. Then I'm refreshed and ready to return. Just like personal days from work, you need time to yourself from ANY situation! TC, and take some time for you!

Rayna

[ktp]

Please come back...

You're never alone...when someone cares enough to send thoughts your way, that positive energy will stay with you....

Take a break if you must, but realize this is real life. We tell things here that no one in 3D even knows, because we trust each other and we have a kinship.

Many blessings,
Kimberly

thanks guys.....
im so very paranoid at the moment....
but i pop in and out.

[nothemama8]

hi this is Amy, we love you an i still like you fluffy other name , cuz it sweet like you, you are nice
Amy

[DocJohn]

Wow, those are good words... and I still stand by them.

Breaks are important and healthy. Take them when you need them, take as many as you need, and stay away as long as you need to. We'll always be here for you when you want to come back....

DocJohn

I take breaks.....some self-imposed and sometimes it's my darned computer. I believe in being alone.....as I'm single, it's easy....but I do need time to re-charge and re-energize. And if you do go away, I'll be here when you come back. As will everyone else. This is a very stable environment and I feel a very strong connection to it. I think about my friends here when I'm offline. I'll wonder what ZH is doing and if GG is at work.......those kinds of comforting thoughts. I know that they are there for me and I can PM them for a quick fix.... My daughter used to give me a hard time over Psych C...but she has come to realize that I get real support here and she respects the fact that I need this group of people..So, I want you to always feel you have a home here....xoxo pat

</font><blockquote><div id="quote"><font class="small">Quote:</font>
Wow, those are good words...

</div></font></blockquote><font class="post"> Surprised by your own words Doc?! I look at that post often when I'm wondering what in hades name I'm doing here sometimes...........it reminds me that self care comes first and this community will still be here when I choose to return.

Kinda cool seeing your own post from a while back still as applicable as ever, no? Thank you for your kind words of wisdom.