-Nicole-

Welcome to After Silence I can relate to feeling nervous and scared about opening up. I was also invalidated many times before I finally opened up again on this board. Just know that we are here to listen as you are ready to share. This is a safe space and we do not allow for judgment of others. Take care, Nicole

Hi fall, You may wish to review the Rules & Guidelines forum for information on privacy and internet safety in general. There are a few threads that have been posted that you may find helpful with your questions. A note to all members, everyone should be familiar with the rules and guidelines of this board, as membership here is contingent upon understanding and following them.

If you can access your posts by searching from your profile, then your posts are on the board. They may have been bumped down the line by the newer posts, but they are still there. The only forums that do not work this way are the Welcome and Share your Story forums, this way newer posts and stories aren't overlooked. I hope this helps. Please feel free to let me know if I can help you find any of your older posts.

Great ideas! I have also been spending more "beauty" time. Instead of rushing to get ready (which I do because I am always late - working on that one too) I allow more time so I can really be in the moment of washing my hair, shaving, washing my body, putting on lotion etc... My newest is the lotion. I bought a nice bottle of it and I take time to put it on my body and touch my body parts like I love them. I sort of say affirmations as I do this as well, complimenting myself on different body parts instead of thinking negative thoughts about them as I am used to (I also have an eating disorder

Cooking healthy meals for yourself, even if you are cooking for one (which I now am) Dates with yourself! I have planned nice quiet evenings at home with a movie, book or some good music, cooked a nice dinner and instead of getting dressed up I'll put on my favorite comfy clothes. It really feels good and can be extremely healing. I felt totally spoiled the first time I did it!

Welcome to After Silence This is a wonderful, supportive and non-judgmental place, full of wonderful people. I hope you feel comfortable here and we can help you on your journey. Nicole

Haha, sonnet, you are too quick! You got ahead of me! Here is some information on our new team: http://www.aftersilence.org/forum/index.php?showtopic=37802

Welcome to After Silence I am sorry for what brings you here, but glad that you found us. I know that it took me a long time to be ready to deal with what happened to me, to be ready to face it. It is a courageous step you have taken in joining us. We are all here to listen and support you. Nicole

Welcome to After Silence, Jess You'll find lots of wonderful, open individuals here. I hope we can help and support you on your journey. Nicole

Welcome to After Silence I am sorry for what brings you here. I think sometimes not remembering can be more frightening that what we remember. I have triggers and body memories that I don't always recognize or understand, and I hate that. I hope that you will find some comfort and support here, this is a very understanding and empathetic community. Nicole

Welcome to After Silence There is no time frame for healing, nor any rights or wrongs. It is a unique and individual process and a very difficult one. I have been in that place where I felt I should be over it, and then I had to surrender to the reality that there is no over it. We get better we heal, but it never goes away. That said, it does get drastically better! You have taken an important step in your healing. Keep going! Nicole

Welcome to After Silence, Chelsea Take your time and don't feel like you have to do anything you aren't ready for. Set your own pace and do what you can. We are here to support you when you are ready. Nicole

Welcome to After Silence, bearhug I hope you got your validation sorted out? Anyhow, there are many members here who have worked with the Courage to Heal and the workbook. I think we have various threads on it which I am sure a search would produce. As for chatting, 25 posts isn't a lot, but it gives us a chance to know you and you a chance to know us Nicole

Welcome to After Silence When I came to this site and began my healing, my family didn't know either. I eventually told my mother but still not my father. I tried to once, but he was not responsive, that is his personality. I also felt the need to speak out, and I been able to do so a bit. It was an important step in the healing process for me. Take your time here and open up as you are ready, you have to set your own progress and do what you are comfortable with. I hope we can help you on your path. Nicole

Welcome to After Silence, jgirl Reading your intro reminded me that I am also coming up on my 10 year anniversary this fall, and we are the same age too I am sorry for what brings you here, but glad you found us. You don't have to post your story if you aren't ready, and if you are never ready to share it that is fine too. When and if you are though, we are here for you for support and understanding. Nicole

Welcome to After Silence Here you will never be alone. I think it is so hard to admit to ourselves what happened because then it is real. It can be very frightening, but dealing with it and facing our pain honestly is the best way to heal. I hope we can all help and support you on your journey. Nicole

Welcome to After Silence Online support, and this board in particular, is definitely what had the most significant impact on my healing. Like Vera, I was able to go from typing it out to talking about it. I hope that you find what you seek here, it is a very supportive and caring community. Nicole

Welcome to After Silence, katerina I certainly didn't feel like a survivor when I joined either, but it is because of this place and the wonderful people who are members here that I reached that point. I hope that we can all help you get there as well. Best wishes on your journey. Nicole

Welcome to After Silence, krys I am sorry for what brought you here, but I am glad that you found us. I love your icon, it is so true and sounds like it describes the point you are currently at. I have been there too and don't doubt for a minute that I will be there again. Good for you in reaching out for another form of support. I hope we can help you along your journey. Nicole

Welcome to After Silence, pocahontas We all have to start somewhere right? I am glad you found this board, it is fairly easy to navigate, but feel free to PM (private message) myself or any other moderator if you are having any troubles or have questions. I am sorry for what brought you here, but you are on the path to healing now, we can support and help you on that path. Nicole

Welcome to After Silence, jaded1 This is a wonderful group of individuals, and that is what makes the power of this board so great. We are all working through pain no one should have to deal with, but so many of our members are here to support one another though the good times and bad. I am sorry for what brought you here, but I am glad that you found us. Nicole

Welcome to After Silence I have to agree with my co-mod, Ashley-Michelle, your strength and words are inspiring. You certainly should not be ashamed because you did nothing wrong. I am coming up on my 10 year anniversary and still suffer symptoms of PTSD, but it has lessened over the years and I have learned many necessary tools for dealing with it. I also look forward to hearing more from you! Nicole

Welcome Kristin I was 23 when I began healing from my assaults, and at age 27 I am happier than I ever imagined I could be. I never thought I would get to this place when I was 23. I am sorry for what brought you here, but glad you have found us. This is an extremely supportive and non-judgmental community. Welcome again Nicole

Welcome tikka I am sorry for what brought you to After Silence, but I am glad you found us. This is a place where you will never be judged or ridiculed and you will always be believed. I hope we can help you on your journey. Nicole

Welcome to After Silence, snowflake I am sorry for what brings you here to us. My memories all hit me in my early 20's and life as I knew it became something foreign and seemingly impossible. I thought I would never get through it, but I have, and better than I ever imagined. This is an amazing place for support, it quite literally saved me. I am also a theater person! I have been involved in dance all my life and I have always been cast in shows as a dancer. I am currently crossing over into my first dancing/ singing/ acting role in the musical Chicago. It is nice to meet a fellow thespia