Trying to break out of my fortress of solitude.
Hi, I have come here to try and break out of my shell and improve my social skills. I have some personal demons I struggle with daily but my overall outlook is positive. I am just reaching out to anyone who wants to talk because I am tired of being so alone. I feel like maybe if I come hear and talk to people who have had similar experiences, it would help me further validate that I am not isolated in my torment and there is a path forward. I don't want to make too bloated of a post so I'll wrap up by saying, I was diagnosed with bipolar 1 at the age of 32 and also encountered my first manic episode at that same time. I am 34 now and thankfully medication has kept me stable but unpack aging the events that took place has been more burden than I can bear sometimes. I'm glad to see so many people here offering and seeking help, I feel like resources like this are becoming rarer.
@discreetSky1761
It hurts to feel isolated.. I hope you find a support system here.. We all want you to succeed here.. Good Luck!🌲
@AsherTree
Thank you for the reply, I have been finding this site helpful. Just knowing there are people who want to help and that others are growing on there journey here, makes me feel less alone already.
@discreetSky1761
We're like a family here looking out for each other. I'm glad your feeling a bit better.. That means things are working out good. Don't be a stranger, your among real people with real emotions..🌲
@AsherTree
I'm beginning to see that. I've been hesitant to get online and socialize, because people tend to lose the message when they're not looking you in the eyes. Everyone here has been really nice so far though and I think I'll stick around.
@discreetSky1761
Oh, I see.. yes your like me.. I didn't bother trying to get along with people online either until about 2 years ago.. I have been much better off now that I have a online presence..
Especially the people on this website specifically.. there are so many great people here..🌲
@AsherTree
This is great to hear
I could use a family like support network
@quickwittedOak7897
That's great news! We are hear for you! I'm glad your reaching out for more.. i'm available often if you need support..🌲
@AsherTree
That's been my take so far, everyone here seems to either seeking help or wanting to help. Being able to just get things off your chest and come to the realization that your feeling are more normal than you think, is kind of like taking the right medicine for the first time. We are social creatures by nature after all.
@discreetSky1761
I'm open to chatting
Also feel alone and isolated
@quickwittedOak7897
You're definitely not alone in feeling the loneliness. My isolation was getting so bad I was nearing critical mass. Flipping through the forums, I've already found multiple about people going through similar experiences. This certainly feels like a place to be embraced and grow into our better selves.
@discreetSky1761
Hi.
I'm so glad you found this website useful. I just joined this community since May, and I've truly found so many shared interests and things that add value to my life here.
We are never alone or isolated in this world. There will always be friends, people just like us, out there somewhere, and we are lucky to have found them here.
Wishing you continuous joy and many meaningful connection with friends.
@HoaMatTroi
Thank you so much for the post! It really does feel like I have finally found a community and safety net here. It is wonderful to hear that you are also feeling embraced and finding therapy here. For so long I have treated the internet like a place to avoid, at least socially, but here I have found people who remind me that we are all imperfect and that it's okay to have faults.
It is such a blessing to finally be speaking to people who get me.
Glad to have you with us. I also recommend the Icebreakers and Games section to have fun giving your opinions and joining in with some lighthearted banter :)
https://www.7cups.com/forum/games/
@ScrabbleBrain
Thank you, I actually haven't made my ways to that area yet. Guess the most immediate thing I needed was for someone to hear my story, earnestly listen and use their past experience to help me process my emotions. Thankfully I found an amazing listener almost immediately, like the second person I spoke to. I am definitely going to check out some of the other groups after I get a bit more comfortable and start breaking out of my shell.
@discreetSky1761 That's lovely to hear that you meshed with someone. Take your time and enjoy the site and all it has to offer :)
@ScrabbleBrain
I have been without insurance for a while and therapy isn't exactly cheap. Finding your community has been such incredible relief! As soon as I get back on my feet and start working again, I very much want to help contribute to the platform. Ultimately, once I break down my social barriers, I would like to sign up to be a listener here my self. Being listened to and hearing others cries for help kind of works in both directions. Bringing a spark of joy to someone who is going through the motions is the most gratifying feeling I have encountered. Being someone who spends too much time like a leaf, drifting aimlessly in the breeze, the gravitational pull of the family I am building here has grounded me and I feel like I have a second home now.
@discreetSky1761 That's very generous. I hope you'll continue to feel better each day. Continue focusing on your needs for now and contribute when you feel like it :)
