Joanie,
You are so wrong, please don't leave

I totally agree. I'm trying to find what post you commented on that would make you think that your advice wasn't beneficial..

I can't find it.. but anything I've looked at that you've written, has been good, solid advice!

don't leave!

Please don't leave. What will I do if you're not here? You've been helping me.

Joanie...don't leave. Take a break if you need to but we do appreciate you here.

I'll just say ... please explain? Your posts have been helpful. Also, even those posts where you are yourself confused and asking for advice, those posts too are helpful, because there is bound to be someone out there who was thinking the same thing but too shy, afraid or embarrassed to post.

Do what you need to do for you, but please don't think you are doing harm. You know I read pretty nearly every post here, and I've not read anything of yours which has given me even a moment of "oh geez I wish she hadn't said THAT".

we all need each other.

I hope you don't leave. I don't ever recall seeing anything unhelpful or harmful in any way that you wrote. Sometimes stepping away is a good idea, and I'm sure all will understand if that is what you decide, but I hope you don't.

Have you considered the possibility that the reason you feel like leaving this group is you are making real progress and that is what is making you pull back? I know that sometimes when I let myself open up and share and speak from my heart, I later pull back and think, "Oops, darn...I let too much of myself show. What will people THINK?" But then I find out later that I was totally appropriate and appreciated by others. For me this has been part of my healing process due to abusers who have wanted me to conceal the truth inside me.

We never know how much we help others because most just read and don't reply. Please don't sell yourself short. You posts & responses are heartfelt and thoughtful. I've never felt anything you have said is offensive.

Sometimes we can misread a response & it can trigger us. Sometimes something someone says seems to be directed at us, but really isn't. Please double check before making your final decision.

Of course you need to do what is best for you, but I really hope you stay.

PLEASE dont leave. I know for myself I read everything even if I don't respond back. Right know I think there are too many of us who need everyone's suggestions and stories to get to a place we need to be.

Joanie ----

We're all entitled to our feelings.

But frankly, not sure what you're referring to. ????

Peace back at you, whatever your decision.

I just want to reply and thank everyone for thier kindness to this post. Perhaps it is just me that notices it, but it seems like lately alot of posts have been triggering to me. That is my problem and tells me that I am not strong enough to deal with things like I thought I was. I find it hard to remain objective about certain abuse and I don't want to get overly emotional or be negative on here. I see alot of strong, postive people who can remain objective even though they have been abused and I honestly cannot. I just feel a lifetime of abuse..well I can't hold it in and help others. I really thought I could as I see people who are in similar situations, young girls being sexually abused, younger people being emotionally or physically abused by thier parents, parents asking if abuse will affect thier children, people asking if thier addict boyfriends/girlfriends will ever change, just all of these things are things I have and continue to go through and though I know first hand the experiences and ought to be able to be helpful, each time I read a story or open myself up to tell my story to try to help in some way, it opens me up?
Not sure if that makes sense, but I am having nightmares even more frequently, getting to where I myself am self medicating with alcohol and isolating as my depression is worse, the meds are not working and I can't get my head straight.
I am having pretty bad thoughts and I really have no escape anyway as I work with my abusive family so I don't even get away for that time.
So to come on here, which ought to be a reprieve is not helping me or anyone else really. I don't mean that in a bad way, just it seems to tear open wounds that have not healed. I appreciate everyone on here and wish them the very best.

I do understand, Joanie, and I will miss you, and hope you will keep journaling or at least once in awhile so we don't lose touch altogether. Please, take care of yourself and I truly hope you feel better real soon. Please come back when you feel up to it

Hugs and healing wishes.

Take good care of yourself!

What they said. If you are feeling triggered and you are having difficulties, then as I said in my other response, you very definitely should do whatever is best for you.

Your words have been helpful, but if they are at the expense of you, then you need to take care of you. I also hope that, when the time is right, you can come back. But either way, please don't think less of yourself for having a great deal of caring and empathy for those who are going through or have been through some awful times.

Take goo dcare of yourself always.

Joanie, sorry to see you go. You have helped me immensely on this board. I hope you can return soon. Take care