anxiety about posting

jenn361 · Post by **jenn361** » Thu May 08, 2008 8:59 pm

i just recently started posting to this site and feel alot of anxiety thinking about others reading what i have written and judging it. -will someone think i'm stupid or boring or don't know what i'm talking about? will someone send me a nasty reply?

I know all the people on here seem really caring and supportive and i just want to be able to be honest, get the help i need, and maybe help others.

any advice? did anyone else have these feelings when they started posting?

Thanks

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu May 08, 2008 11:51 pm

I was like this when I first started posting here. I'd feel like that when I posted in some other forums too, and they weren't even about such personal topics. I've way gotten better though since being on the program. I also had unrealistic expectations that my post would be answered immediatley! The truth is, it's common to wait days before anyone replies. It doesn't mean people aren't interested, or judging you or don't relate. It most likely just means they're either busy with RL, too shy to post back or still thinking of a suitable response.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri May 09, 2008 8:47 am

thanks guys, it's such a relief to know that others have had these feelings-

sometimes to me other peoples' posts just seem to be so well written and helpful compared to what i write-but i know my thinking can sometimes be irrational and clouded by perfectionism and insecurity.

its good to know that i can delete posts-i've wanted to do that and didn't know you could so that was a big relief to find out.

also-i do get anxiety when people don't respond to my post right away-even though i'm often online with few others at the same time due to the time difference.

so thanks again-your responses made my day!