[Hi All.]

Hi, @edfisch - 

Welcome to After Silence!!!  I'm so sorry you have reason to be here but am hoping you will see that you've found a truly supportive community to be a part of.  There are many things that we, as survivors must cope with, and there is always support, here.  

Please do not feel guilty.  You are never responsible for the poor, hurtful choices that others decide to make.  I did not report my rape, either - and have struggled with the idea that having not said something had enabled the man who hurt me to hurt others - but this is not the case.  Our decision not to report is NOT permission for him to violate/offend someone else...this is ENTIRELY on your assailant.

Looking forward to getting to know you.

Best wishes,
Capulet

 

[Returning]

Welcome back to AS!  I'm sorry if your return was prompted by recent struggles, but we are still glad you've come back!  We might have made a few changes in the last couple of years, but we're still the same supportive bunch as always.   

Take good care!
- Cap

 

[Hi]

Hello, @NightJasmine and welcome to After Silence!  I'm sorry that you have reason to be here, but am hoping that being here brings you peace, comfort and healing.  This is truly a wonderful space, and we're happy to have you among our community.  Thank you in advance for the support you will provide others!!! 

Looking forward to getting to know you,

Capulet

[hi]

Welcome to AS, @J_123!!!

I'm sorry to learn of the trauma that has led you to us but am hoping that you see for yourself that this is a safe space and the support is unwavering.  Please know that you are not alone and that many here understand.  We are here for you.  Welcome!!!!

Best wishes,
Capulet

[Hi!]

Hi, @ladyshiva,

Sorry to hear you've been feeling down lately!  I do hope that being here will bring you a sense of peace, healing and comfort.  A few things have changed around here, but we are still the same supportive space we've always been, so please know that we are here for you if you need to lean on us.

Wishing you all the best,
Capulet

[Newbie]

Hello @Blanksheet11 and welcome to After Silence!!!  I'm hopeful that you'll feel safe here as we are a truly amazing and supportive bunch.  There is no judgement here, and you are never alone!

Sending you tons of healing wishes!  

My best wishes, 
Capulet

[NervousNewbie]

Hi @TeeJoe and welcome to After Silence.  

I'm so sorry to hear of the circumstances under which you've arrived but want to assure you that you're in a safe place.  It is definitely not easy to sign up, join an account and then to introduce yourself...but you did.   Be proud of that, and consider it a successful leap toward your healing progresses!  This is a great community (although I might be a little biased!) and folks here are amazing.  I'm hopeful that being among others who can relate and who can understand, will bring you peace, comfort and healing.  You're not alone.  It takes a village, sometimes, and this one is a truly great one to be a part of.

I hope you'll take your time looking around and jump in whenever you're most comfortable.  It is perfectly okay to be nervous; I want to say everybody is when they first join the community.   Remember, you can say as much or as little as you're comfortable with. 

If you ever need help or have any questions, I'm just a shout away.  

Best wishes, and again - welcome!

- Capulet

[Good Morning, Good Yawning]

Good morning to you, Alley!  Welcome to After Silence!

I'm sorry that you had reason to seek us out, but I'm truly glad you like what you see here.  Thanks for taking the time to introduce yourself.  I am looking forward to learning more about you as time goes on.  Yes, the introduction was a fantastic start - thank you for taking the time to do so - and for joining the site, for I'm sure that was not an easy step, despite eagerness.   Good for you!

We're a great place and we are filled with people who truly understand this journey we call healing - the hurdles, the obstacles, the triumphs and setbacks.  You're not alone here!

By the way, I am a cat lover, as well!  I have five of them at home!

As missfrier suggested, you'll soon receive a welcome message from one of our Newbie Support Team members.  Until then, please feel free to look around and know that if you have any questions about anything or would like help - I'm just a holler away.

Best wishes, and welcome!

Capulet

[Hi]

Hello @kjhlhkjhj and welcome to After Silence.  I'm so sorry for the repeated traumas that have brought you here, but I'm so glad you ARE here.  You're in a safe space and among many others who can definitely relate to some of your troubles on some level.  

I echo everybody else - you never have to share anything you're not comfortable with.  Mary is correct - FULL names are prohibited, and you aren't even required to tell anyone what your first name is.  There are many who choose to remain anonymous, and that is always okay.  

Please give a holler if ever you need anything.  I'm always 'around!'

Best wishes,
Capulet

[Hi]

Hello Via!  Welcome to After Silence!

I'm sorry you are living with past struggles.  That is never easy.  You are not alone here, though, for many share the same frustrations!  Please know you're in a safe place, and a judgement-free zone.  I do hope that being here brings you peace, comfort and healing.  You deserve it!

My best wishes to you, always,

Capulet

[Hello]

Hello, again!

1 hour ago, SilentAudacity said:

I always find that there is more room out, than in, so I try to be very transparent about what Im feeling/ going through & unfortunately most of the people in my life find that to be “too intense”, so I’ve been internalizing

I am SO, very guilty of this thing called internalizing!  I have many years' experience.   I have recently returned to therapy, as well - to work on this, and on being able to more frequently step out of my comfort zone/bubble that I've gotten a little bit TOO comfortable sitting within.  In a couple of weeks, I'm also starting school again for the first time in 20 years, so this is a HUGE step in the right direction for me...as going to therapy was for you - good for you on taking that leap! 

I agree, though, it's so much better out than it is in.  And this space, I hope, will help to motivate you to explore various ways of expression.  You're safe here, and among friends.  Welcome to After Silence.  I'm glad you're liking what you see here so far.

Safe hugs, if okay!

- Cap

[Hello]

Hi, @redmess - welcome to our community!!!  

Although I'm so sorry to hear of the circumstances that have led you to us, I'm truly glad for the opportunity to get to know you.  Thank you for taking the time to introduce yourself.  I am sure that many here can relate to some of what you've experienced and that connections/friendships will be forged in no time.  After Silence is truly a loving place to be - you'll find so much support here, as well as a sense of acceptance.  As we try to cope and heal, to feel so much less alone is such a comfort.

My best wishes to you - give a shout if you ever need anything.   

- Capulet

[Not a real newbie]

Hi there, @vitamin - welcome back to AS!!! 

I, too, came back after a long hiatus, and I'm glad I did.  A lot has changed around here, but I still love AS for the loving and supportive community I'd remembered it being all along.  

Anyhow - welcome back - looking forward to getting to know you!

Best wishes,
Capulet

[Hello]

Hi @Connor -

Welcome to After Silence!

I'm so sorry to hear of what has brought you here, but do want to let you know that you're definitely in a safe place and that you'll find that our members are incredibly supportive and kind.  

I'm very angry with your parents - I don't know them, but still - I'm sorry they've not listened to you.  That's not right - at all.  Please know that you'll never receive that kind of invalidation here at AS.  You're safe to talk, here.  You'll not be judged for ANY of what's happened to you.  None of it was your fault.  We believe you and will listen anytime.

Congratulations on taking this big step towards healing by joining our community.  I wish you all the best in your journey!   If you ever need, I am just a shout away.

My best wishes, always,

Capulet

[Newbie here]

Welcome, @HJM to After Silence!!!  I am sorry for whatever circumstances have led you here, but am hopeful that being surrounded by our supportive and kind members will bring you peace, comfort and healing.

Looking forward to getting to know you!

Best wishes,
Capulet

[Hello Everyone :)]

Hello @aemcee and welcome to After Silence.  Although I'm sorry to hear of the circumstances that have led you to us, I'm still glad you're here.  This site is filled with some of the best people I've had the pleasure to get to know and I am hopeful that being here will bring you peace.  It is so comforting to know and realize that you are not alone in your struggles, even struggles that stem from something that happened two decades ago.  The ache is a very real one, and being surrounded by others who truly understand has always been beneficial for me.  I hope the same for you.

I am always around if you ever need someone to listen.  Again, welcome to our community.  

My best wishes to you,
Capulet

[New to group]

Hello, @Kazb and welcome to After Silence!!!  

I can so relate to having things in your background that you've never resolved or done work on.  I'm currently working on some things in therapy, myself.  I'm not at the point where I've lost everything, but not having resolved things YEARS ago is certainly one thing that impacts my day-to-day life.  

The lotus bloom quote rings true for me, too.   I'd like to someday have a lotus tattooed on my calf, perhaps the quote, too!  I believe every word.  

Anyhow, welcome.  I hope that being here brings you peace and comfort - healing is possible!   You're not alone!

My best wishes to you,
Capulet

 

[Hi, I have a question, I'm New.]

Welcome @rileyk86!!!!  

You are very much welcome here - we do have a males-only forum, if you might be interested in interacting with other male survivors.  You are definitely not alone!  If you would like access to that forum, you're very welcome to send a PM to @ActivistAlly and he would be more than happy to supply you the password.

In the meantime, please feel free to look around and to become familiar with our other forums!   

Take very good care, and again - welcome to After Silence! 

Best wishes,
Capulet

[Hello (:]

Hi there, @neverland!!!

Welcome to After Silence!!!  I'm sorry that you have experienced trauma both as an adult and as a child.  This is a truly supportive community and the folks here are absolutely amazing when it comes to always being willing to lend an ear.  I'm hopeful that you will not regret having made your first post and introducing yourself.  This is no small step - it's huge!   Be proud of yourself.

Wishing you lots of luck in your healing journey!  And again - welcome.

Best wishes,

Capulet

[Hi everyone]

Hello @arzngrl529 - welcome back to AS!  I'm sorry you are having a rough time lately, but I am hoping that you find the same comfort from being here as you did once before.  

Our Chat Room SHOULD be up and running very soon.  We've been working on putting some things into place and I'm hoping we will have some update to that, soon.  In the meantime, please feel free to re-familiarize yourself with the site.  I hope that being here brings you peace and healing.

Sending you lots of safe, supportive hugs, if you would like them.   Take gentle care of yourself!

Best wishes,
Capulet

[Newbie here]

Welcome @Yanahere to After Silence!!!  Sending you all of my well wishes - along with a hearty welcome to our community.  We're a highly supportive bunch, and I'm glad you're here.

Best wishes,
Capulet

[Hi! :)]

Welcome to After Silence, @Blueberrymuffin!!!  I'm sorry for what has led you here, but you've found a wonderful, safe place.  

Looking forward to getting to know you and am sending you lots of luck in your healing process.

Best wishes,
Capulet

[Hi and Thank you]

Hello @LRPINE and welcome to After Silence!!!  

I'm so glad you are liking what you see of us, so far.   I remember being amazed by the outpouring of support and kindness when I first joined (SEVERAL years ago!) and am glad to see that some things haven't changed.   I'm also very glad you decided to wait out the registration and to introduce yourself to us.  We all have those moments where we need someone else to listen, to understand, to validate what we feel, and this community has always done that for me.  

Again, welcome.  I wish you all the best in your healing processes and look forward to getting to know you better as time goes on.

Best wishes,
Capulet

[I found this site]

@Jsmoley - welcome to After Silence.  

We do not have any rules here on what you need to write or share - all that is completely up to you.  Please take your time and look around and feel free to jump in whenever you are comfortable and/or ready.  After Silence is a judgement-free zone and we are all here to support one another.  Although I am sorry to hear you've need to be here, I'm hoping that your presence among us will bring you comfort and peace.

My best wishes,
Capulet

[New here, looking for community :)]

Hello, @NumbEveryday - Welcome to After Silence.   I'm so sorry to learn of your recent trauma, but am glad that you've stumbled upon us here.  We're a great bunch of supportive folks, and I'm hopeful that being here will bring you peace, comfort and eventual healing.  Lean on us anytime you need! 

My best wishes to you,
Capulet