I wonder why lurkers don't feel welcome here. I see a lot of guests are on here all the time, yet many of them never join. I am sure that there are a lot of stories they can share that would benefit this group.

If you are a lurker and reading this, please consider joining PC. We would love to hear about you and your journey to healing. You never know how much you can support others by sharing your struggles and triumphs!

It took me a long time to join. I was a lurker for months because I was too ashamed to tell anything to anyone. But once I took the plunge, I share everything. Probably too much!

It has been the best thing for me

[milkblood]

I lurk a lot

[Suratji]

Originally Posted by milkblood

I lurk a lot

milkblood - do you feel welcome?

[missbelle]

well there are people that sit in the back of the room and listen and absorb and there is the rest that jump in with both feet. Both are good!!

[Late Bloomer]

I too, lurked before learning to post.

[karebear1]

I've been a lurker for about a year now- and just joined a few weeks ago. I'm sure I would be welcomed here, you all seem so generous, compassionate and supportive. I think I don't reply to threads because I don't have the confidence to reply to too much yet. I would like to say however, that I have benefited soooooo much from you all sharing your struggles and your triumphs. You all have helped this lurker in times when I wasn't sure if I would/could get through much of anything.

So............. thanks Squiggle for posting this thread! I appreciate that you gave me the opportunity to peek out from my little home in cyberspace. Who knows what could come fom this!?!?!?! Maybe I'll post a little more here and there???

[milkblood]

Originally Posted by Suratji

milkblood - do you feel welcome?

I suppose so

[rhcpchance]

Hi I've been lurking close to a year, but have never felt I have anything to contribute

[WePow]

I lurked for YEARS ;-)

[dinosaurs]

No. I don't feel welcome here. It's still a work in progress for me in deciding how much of that is my stuff and how much is from other people. When I do post, it usually isn't a positive experience for me.

Originally Posted by dinosaurs

No. I don't feel welcome here. It's still a work in progress for me in deciding how much of that is my stuff and how much is from other people. When I do post, it usually isn't a positive experience for me.

I am sorry that you haven't had positive experiences when posting. Was it someone in particular that hurt you on PC?

I like the things you have posted with your signature. Are those things that your therapist told you?

Originally Posted by dinosaurs

No. I don't feel welcome here. It's still a work in progress for me in deciding how much of that is my stuff and how much is from other people. When I do post, it usually isn't a positive experience for me.

(((((((((((dinosaurs))))))))))

I lurked for quite a while before I posted. when I joined, I made a "rule" for myself that I had to reply to three posts a day, because I knew that if I didn't kind of "make" myself participate, I never would.

This is the only site I've ever joined and participated in. There are other sites I visit and I lurk and learn and feel like I "know" the people, but I haven't posted. And that feels fine to me on those sites.

The more the merrier, though

[inbloom]

((((((Squiggle)))))), you are just so sweet.

I just wanted to respond because I lurked for a LONG time. I think that it is so intimidating to join any group that is already established, with established relationships. Many of you have *known* each other and shared things together for quite sometime, and personally, I have a huge insecurity about being the outsider. I just want to be on the *inside* already, and skip all of the easing in and *getting to know you parts.* HOWEVER, these are my fears in real life as well and I recognize the benefit of trying to address and overcome them. In honesty, I started to really wish that I could be a part of the support system here, and so I decided to take the plunge, but as you all know, I was very insecure, and still am.....but am trying to hang in there.

ANYWAY, I've babbled, but Squiggle, to address your question, I feel like many of you have been so amazing in trying to make me feel welcome and included.

I do understand the intimidation factor in joining though, as well as the huge fear of not fitting in/being rejected. I had to actually make a deal with myself that I would give it a certain amount of time before running away with my tail between my legs.

to you lurkers out there!!

Originally Posted by inbloom

Many of you have *known* each other and shared things together for quite sometime, and personally, I have a huge insecurity about being the outsider. I just want to be on the *inside* already, and skip all of the easing in and *getting to know you parts.*

ANYWAY, I've babbled, but Squiggle, to address your question, I feel like many of you have been so amazing in trying to make me feel welcome and included.

inbloom, I am a new kid on the block! I have only been here a few months. I lurked since May 2010, but did not join in until maybe November 2010. It was a bit intimidating because it seemed like so many had already formed bonding relationships. But, they made me feel very welcome and jumped right in to help me.

This has been a lifeline for me. Reading and sharing stories has been very healing for me. It makes me feel that I am not as abnormal as I have been thinking all these years. According to PC, I am normal!

[SpiritRunner]

Originally Posted by dinosaurs

No. I don't feel welcome here. It's still a work in progress for me in deciding how much of that is my stuff and how much is from other people. When I do post, it usually isn't a positive experience for me.

I'm sorry, too, dinosaurs.
I lurked for a while, too.....then I just couldn't refrain from commenting on a thread that really hit home for me. I remember saying I probably wouldn't post much (that has changed! ). And now, even though it's not really so long that I have been here either, I feel as if I am among old friends somehow....people who genuinely understand and relate and care....

[chancy512]

I am a daily lurker...sometimes multipal times a day. I have posted a couple of times, but I never feel comfortable with what I post.
I do think about you all through out the day and pray everyone is have a good day.

[mixedup_emotions]

I have been here for a while and don't recall lurking much before joining....but I just wanted to say that I welcome the new members. It gives us an opportunity learn different perspectives, gain support from others, and be supportive to others and share our insight. I, for one, am happy you all are here. PC has been a lifeline for me, and I want others to benefit from it as well.

[Melbadaze]

Perhaps some find this place like a soap drama that they check on every now and again?

[PTSDlovemycats]

Dinos, I am so sorry that you don't feel this a welcoming place. I wonder what we can do to change that for you. I always enjoy talking with you in the chat rooms!

I was a lurker for probably a month or two. The post that finally got me to reply to was the one about wearing or removing your shoes in therapy. LMAO. I absolutely loved and enjoyed that thread.

To all the Lurkers, You are more than welcome to join us at anytime! We don't bite!

[deliquesce]

i jumped straight in because i came here in crisis. i felt rude joining & asking for help straight off the bat, but it was xmas/new year & everyone in my support network was on leave, so i came here in desperation. and since being welcomed & supported so thoroughly, i havent ever really lurked since.

having said that... i only sign in to my account when i have something to say - otherwise i just read the boards without signing in (better protects privacy from ppl i might be sharin the computer with). so i guess whilst i dont consider myself a lurker, i would be adding to the guest count pretty much every day.

[mixedup_emotions]

YIKES, the thought that came through my mind was....."My T is lurking and that's why he's not posting...."....ACK!

Originally Posted by PTSDlovemycats

I was a lurker for probably a month or two. The post that finally got me to reply to was the one about wearing or removing your shoes in therapy. LMAO. I absolutely loved and enjoyed that thread.

I must have missed that one! What was the verdict? Shoes or shoeless?

I had to go back and look this one up: Weird question about comfort in T's office. It appears that most clients DO take their shoes off. I am one of them. Not in the beginning, though. I never thought to do that!

[lastyearisblank]

Whaaat! People talk about sitting on the floor with their therapists... taking off shoes... do you all live in california or something?????

[Miss Laura]

I wasn't a lurker but I do lurk threads. I am not in therapy. I love reading your posts as I find it really interesting how you guys find it. The thread Weird question about comfort in T's office is soooo by far my fave one. I like reading it.

I find it ironically "theraputic" reading about how you guys find therapy and what your therapists say. I guess I am missing out not having a T but I feel reading all the posts makes me in a sense in therapy... weird huh!!