Arfie, I do this with my computer journaling. It doesn't have quite the same effect as crumbling paper and burning it, but yes, it works effectively to clear the mind of some of those thoughts.

thank you, mid. it's good to know i am making sense. sometimes it gets discouraging when things make profound sense in my head but fall over like lead balloons when i put the into words.

Sure. When I journal, sometimes a scratch out what I write because I rework the thought or just because the actual feeling of scraping the pen through a word or sentence feels kind of good.

On DS if people want to delete stuff they write I get it. I’ve deleted some of my DS journal entries at times because they just didn’t get me where I needed to go or fully articulate what I was really trying to work out.

If people delete something they commented on in a DS group, it can make reading posts a little challenging because sometimes deleting a comment messes with continuity or context. But still it’s their choice.

However, I personally don’t see deleting and editing posts and comments for the purpose of being shitty to people or trying to manipulate or gaslight people as part of the therapeutic process. That’s just being a calculated a-hole. It comes with being on an online public forum though.

i am guilty of deleting post comments the posting author found offensive. it took me a while to become aware of the discontinuity that creates in reading the thread and try to stay mindful of that now, but will still delete if the damage isn't too harsh. i don't want to gaslight anybody, but i don't want my words where they are not welcome, either.

not that i expect the digital judges to ask my motives before they swing their virtual gavel. i've been called a calculated a-hole more than once for taking my best guess and guessing wrong. increasing social distance, ma'am/sir. keep your mask on.

i solidly reserve the right to delete my own posts at my personal whimsy and especially after one of those digital judges has co-opted the thread and turned it into an arf-bashing party.

Yeah, I’ve deleted some comments where I suspected I really hurt someone. It’s not my intent to be hurtful but things sometimes come across not exactly how I heard it in my head. Sometimes I’m just not at my best and should probably avoid commenting until I get my disposition in check.

I really do agree people have the right to delete their own posts and their comments. Even more so if someone decides to co-opt a post or a comment and basically weaponize it. My problem is sometimes I just want to fight in those instances rather than just delete and/or walk away. I’m a work in progress that way haha! Yesterday, it took some might not to over indulge that side of my personality with a few comments and posts that were flying around here.

yea, i think there is a new troll phishing the board this week. maybe two, but i suspect one with two usernames. as tempting as the cheap shots might be, i like to pick my battles small enough to win and big enough to matter.

bored trolls phishing the internet don't fit either criteria. too many to beat and too idiotic a pass time to matter.

Pretty sure one in the same troll. You are so right … too many to beat, haha!

I believe in deleting if it makes you feel better. Totally ignore the slinky trolls Arfie

i most often visualize the trolls as bored junior high kids.

you're grounded, brat, whatever your physical age.