Awe.. hanna you belong.. i dont know what has happened, but ive felt the same at times.. i remember who here cares for me and i care about and i wouldnt want to lose them.. xo stick around.

I think we had some board micromanaging going on and it shut some people down.. brought in a good amount of paranoia and distrust.. at least thats how i respond

I recently had a post where I asked for 'a hug or a friend'. I got tons of hugs and many new friends.

I think doing something like that would make you feel more at home. I know you. I think you have been a big part of the BP group for years. Even though I see a cat running right now, I can still remember your pictures.

I think letting others know you are open to friendships or hugs is a good idea. Even if you don't become friends with someone, you may feel more alive from receiving hugs and messages from them.

Best of luck to you.

Thanks Zenith. I heard there were issues going on, but I haven't been around to see what they were. I'm hoping that whatever problems there were, they have passed.

Thank you walking...I suppose it would be nice to actually have hugs again. I hate to have to ask people to hug me though. I understand what you're saying though.

Cute cat by the way, but if my cat did that I'd run out of the front door. haha

I didn't feel comfortable asking for a long time either and then I remembered how people used to simply ask for a hug if they were having an off day.

(((Hanna)))~~

I have only been on DS less than a year so I can't really compare how it is to how it was. I like checking in with the board on a regular basis just to see how those who walk a similar path are doing. We have some pretty interesting subjects and we have some times of great concern for one another. I hope you stay!

I think the board goes through phases, and a lot of people come and go. I often have felt this way, left for a while and then returned.

I guess this place is only as good as we make it. Hugs!

Well, we all come here for our own reasons and needs.

For many, it meets their needs.
But it doesn't meet everyone's needs.

Can you give a couple of examples as to what it was like before, when you DID feel that you belonged?

Say one specific thing that either bothers you now or one thing that you liked, that is no longer here?

What is there about it that stops it from being the safe haven it used to be?

Maybe, just by happenstance, there used to be more people with who you really clicked than there is now?
If that's the case, you could make a concerted effort to spend some time on the board, seeking out those who appeal to you most and 'talk' to them a bit, in your posts!!

You might find that there are some people here who DO relate to you very well and your interaction with them may evolve into friendship.

It's nice to check into DS and see people who you like!!

You are by no means the first person to express what you are now feeling.
If this 'was' the 'good old days', and someone else was asking you what you are now asking, do you have any idea what you would say to them?

I'm sorry that something you really liked and got a lot out of and thought would always stay the same has now changed in ways that make you feel isolated.

That IS sad and troublesome.

One of the reasons most of us come here is to escape the isolation that we feel in the 'real world'.

I hope you find your safe haven, wherever that may turn out to be!!!

I remember the way it was. There was a close knit group of people that always had your back whether they agreed with you on topics or not. There were trolls invading from other boards and we would gang up on them as a group and drive them away. There was a a feeling that we were all in this together no matter what our experiences were, there was always someone with a similar one. It's not that different now. We don't have half the drama as we used to have. We don't have half the amount of people telling us what they really think. But it works for now. Stick around for a while and it will change again.

seems like most everyone waxes and wanes in the enthusiasm & also ambivalence about this site & whether it is worthwhile for them?

Sometimes I like it..sometimes I think one gets out what one puts in...depends where you're at, too, I guess.

good stuff people....

You belong Hanna! I havent been here long, but its a good place, I hope you stay ;)