Sometimes I post because I have no else I can talk to

This might not seem like it belongs here, but I think it might do. Hear me out, anyway…

Most of the times I post on the forum, it’s because I don’t have anyone else with whom I feel I can discuss things; if I’m posting here it’s usually because it’s something really personal that I just don’t feel comfortable talking about with others, typically involving insecurities relating to sex/relationships. I’m just not close enough with anyone to feel able to discuss that sort of thing with them – previously I might have been willing to disclose certain things to a partner, but I don’t have a partner now (part of the problem really), meaning I can’t go to anyone with my issues. Of course, I do have friends and family I feel I can talk to about some things, but those are more everyday things – work, sleep, hobbies etc. The other, really personal stuff is different and not something I feel comfortable enough talking to them about.

I feel that posting here, even if gets no response, does me some good, because at least I’ve “said” something to someone. Occasionally, just getting something off my chest is beneficial, although, more often than not, I’m looking for someone else’s thoughts. Of course, I don’t want to bother people with my posts, so I’m always apprehensive about posting things, although I suppose if it doesn’t interest them they just won’t read it/reply. Often I’ll talk myself out of posting things, because I get convinced it’s pointless. Other times (like now), I figure that, if I don’t post anything, nothing will happen, so I might as well.

I guess I want to ask a couple of things: Is it normal to not have people you can go to with these questions? If not, is posting online an acceptable course of action? If it isn’t, what can I do instead?

(Hopefully it’s clear that the reason I wanted to post here is because the things I feel reluctant to discuss relate to relationships and sex. I hope that’s ok.)

Please, keep posting. It's perfectly normal to do what you're doing and you're not bothering anyone.

If the consenting is of a willing participant, then all you gotta do is ask her/him. What's the worst that could happen?

She/he slaps you? lol
☺⁉☺⁉☺⁉☺⁉teehee☺⁉
sorry I've been wanting to post that all day I've been wanting to post that all day......

"Is it normal to not have people you can go to with these questions? If not, is posting online an acceptable course of action? If it isn’t, what can I do instead?"

Well, I don't know if it's normal to not have anyone to go to, but I know I've been there a lot myself. Posting here is definitely acceptable though - that's what it's here for!

I'd be lost if it weren't for my online support, that's for sure...I even think it's normal, and, so what if it isn't. We are here for each other, right? Much support x

I imagine that a lot of us, at some point, have done that.

I know that their's been times i've come on here just to talk to someone

my circle of friends is..... well, limited

and that's putting it nice

I have an awesome support group IRL....better than family ever was.....BUT I hate to burden them with the details I need to remember at times so I have private area thread that I use to keep important details that I would never overburden friends with because they really are ONLY important to me....BUT it is nice to get feedback to know that how I feel about the things happening are not unusual.

It is good to use online posts for the things that really help us.

I think it's fine finding some sort of balance. Can feel rather isolating otherwise

Thank you, everyone. Maybe I've been overthinking things. I just worry about over-sharing things, or bombarding people with too much information, so I think I need to work on finding a balance on what I write as well.

I want to stress that it's not as if I don't have *anyone* to talk to about anything, but I just don't feel comfortable discussing this super personal stuff with friends/family. If there's something I feel comfortable discussing with someone in real life I probably will.

I'm in the same boat. I don't have many friends. I have a few close friends but I don't always go to them because I feel like a burden sometimes. Or it may be the case that I know that they won't understand or have much to say-- which makes everyone uncomfortable lol.

With an online community from all over, I think there will be varying opinions and advice that can be useful. I think it's good to let it out somehow.

Keep posting!!! Hugs

I'm new to all this but I understand the idea completely...tired of talking to myself

Well... I don't have anyone to talk to. I'm married. But my wife doesn't understand it & doesn't know what she could do about it & just generally doesn't want anything to do with it. And I, for my part, am not a natural "sharer" either. It's hard for me even under ideal circumstances. So I just keep it all to myself. (I live a pretty thoroughly reclusive lifestyle at this point in my life as well.)

You asked if it's normal to not have people you can go to with personal questions. I guess I don't really know since I don't know anyone. My inclination would be to say that it's probably not unusual... especially for men. Is it acceptable to post on-line? Yes, I beiieve it is... at least here on PC. That's what we're all here for! I do presume one needs to be careful where one posts on-line though. I'm only here on PC. But I have the definite impression a lot of other websites are nowhere near as safe as PC.

I personally don't post my own threads here on PC... at least not with regard to anything personal. I'm too old & there's nothing to be done about any of it anyway. So it just seems pointless. Occasionally I have gotten the urge to post something personal. But the few times I have, afterward, I felt embarrassed & had to ask to have it deleted. I do share bits-&-pieces of myself in my replies to other members' posts when I think it is relevant.

The other thing you asked about was alternatives. The one alternative I can think of is to start a journaling practice. There are quite a few articles, in PsychCentral's archives, on this topic. Here are links to 2 of them in case the subject is of interest:

The Psychology of Journaling

You'll Be Shocked at How Therapeutic Journaling Can Heal You | NLP Discoveries