[passionfruit3]

I know i may sound like a troll for typing once andher then again but I just had to get this out I've noticed how a lot of people on here say stuff like feel free to pm me to others who are suffering or will say wanna talk or something and the other person will say sure or no thanks the problem with that and this happens all over and hope this can spread people are often to shy or depressed to talk to people so instead of saying I'm available pm just go to others and simply say these five words hi how are you doing?

Umm, I thought trolling means being mean to people. I feel like I am new to social media since I only recently (I Wikipedia'd some these terms) learned about the words trolling, ghosting and catfishing. I assume none of these things have happened to me her but who knows. Posting feels like a "brave new world" to me in a way. Is that silly? IRL when we say "How are you doing?" we are usually speaking to one person of a very small group LOL.

I woke up without worries (anxiety), am drinking my 2nd cup of coffee , just took my dog for a short walk on the leash (he insisted).

The sentiment that if you are alone/lonely--post here seems like the opposite of trolling.

I don't think you are trolling either.

If I'm reading correctly I think you're saying that if we are concerned about a user on here that instead of posting on their thread that they can pm us we could instead pm them first and ask directly how they are doing? I may have got it wrong but that is how I'm reading it.

Passionfruit3-
I read this thread as you encouraging shy/depressed people to reach out. Did I interpret your meaning correctly?

[Sunflower123]

Hi. I didn't quite understand the essence of your post. Could you clarify? Are you saying that if somebody is having a hard time the other person should approach them with hi, how are you doing?

I agree. I would be hesitant to invade someone else's "personal space", i.e. their inbox....when I could write it on the forum.

I don't like to be considered trouble or think that I'm PM'ing about a problem that I should be able to handle.

I may have been misinterpreting what you posted. If so, my apologies.

Good morning Passionfruit (when you see this--you may have just gone to bed)! I hope you get better sleep tonight. There is nothing better.....

[MickeyCheeky]

I'd say I agree with you - I often ask that, especially to my friends here at PC, to be sure everything's alright. Some people definitely struggle with asking for help - normal, considering what they've been through. With that said, I think most people here wouldn't have a problem if other people tried to reach out for help; after all, we're all here to help

[passionfruit3]

Originally Posted by sophiesmom

I agree. I would be hesitant to invade someone else's "personal space", i.e. their inbox....when I could write it on the forum.

I don't like to be considered trouble or think that I'm PM'ing about a problem that I should be able to handle.

I may have been misinterpreting what you posted. If so, my apologies.

I am mainly talking about people struggling emotionally on the forum or crisis who have not inboxed someone unless they directly state they dont want to be bothered it shouldnt be a problem you reaching out to. Them first

[passionfruit3]

In fact id encourage it

Passionfruit--I think you are right--reaching out to people does make a difference--
many other people probably do this as well but MickeyCheeky does this for so many of us at PC. He is very generous with his time. I don't expect people to do this all the time because many of us have demands IRL but do appreciate how helpful so many people at PC are!

Originally Posted by passionfruit3

I am mainly talking about people struggling emotionally on the forum or crisis who have not inboxed someone unless they directly state they dont want to be bothered it shouldnt be a problem you reaching out to. Them first

I agree. But I, personally, rarely disclose all of it in a PM (in response to someone reaching out to ask how I'm doing).....

So....ask away and it's MUCH appreciated and kind and I'm blown away by the concern, frankly. But will you get the truth from me? Doubtful. You may get some of the story, or some of the issue, but much of it will get glossed over.

I know others do this, too. I have inquired and I have been able to see through the words, sometimes. Still, you can't force people to talk to you.

Those of us who were raised to feel unimportant are loathe to share our issues. But we were taught to be polite, no matter what. That's my problem, I know, but we are who we are.

I did once raise the possibility of having the ability of "going incognito" (occasionally) when we need to post an issue. I know, for me, it would have been fantastic to just be totally open and get responses from those here who would have no preconceived notions or information about me.