Hey there,
I’ll be honest here. Sometimes, when I see people post huge things about how they are in emotional pain or in the doldrums, I get frustrated reading them. And when I see the huge response and support that they get, I have wondered how people are so patient and caring to take the time to respond in the way they do. I just think in my head, “Why are these people telling complete strangers all this stuff? Why aren’t they telling their friends?” I read a post recently, I think Guinistasia’s about her feeling that her life sucks and someone responded with how we should understand that there are real people behind these screen names, and I was really struck with something. (I’ll mention now that I typed up a huge response to offer some support and then my computer locked up and I lost it - so Guinistasia, know that I’m sending you my best.)
I’m not really someone who has ever posted about my …problems, I suppose, is the word. Well, on Monday (yesterday), I was in the pits, completely depressed and down as I have been for about a week. I’m going through some stuff right now which is more painful that I could have imagined. I think I cried for the first time today in a year. My apartment was a complete hell hole and I was even more depressed just looking at it. So I did something I had never really done before. ** I posted and asked for help. **
http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=98589
I didn’t want to discuss what was bothering me and I didn’t want to be analyzed. I just wanted my apartment clean and I was so miserable, I just couldn’t do it. So I flat out said I was blue and needed the motivation. I’ll be damned. People posted and helped me get going. And in a few hours, my apartment looked a hell of a lot better.
Here’s my weird realization. I felt really good that people cared enough to even bother posting to get my ass into gear to clean. I was shocked at how much better I felt. Each time I went back to the screen and saw a new post, I felt better. About cleaning my apartment, of all things. And at that moment, it was exactly what I needed. My friends all know why I’m blue and I know they care very much for me. But it was this sort of unexpected response from the board that meant a lot to me. I told a few of my friends about it and they all said (in their own way), “Wow…that’s pretty cool that these total strangers got you out of that pit.” And then WeirdDave, who I have only met once at a DopeFest, even called to make sure I was okay. What a guy. Shame he’s not a lesbian.
Okay, I know I have a point here somewhere. My point…is that I think I have a better understanding of people who come to the boards and tell why they are hurting. It isn’t really my style but wow, do I understand now. It helps. So…thank you. Thank you guys for helping me out. Cause man, have I been in the dumps lately and I think I’m going to be for a few weeks.
So thank you, board, for making me feel better. Thank you for helping me understand about the people behind the screen names and be a more understanding person about when others are in pain. It’s a weird realization and not really one I’m proud of having taken this long - but thank you.
Tibs.