Hello everyone

[Aliss]

Hello everyone, 

I'm a PhD student and I'm turning 26 in a few days. I don't have many hobbies (work is pretty much my whole life), but I love cats and meditation. 

I decided to join this forum because I really struggle with telling people what has happened to me and I was hoping this would be a step in the right direction. I feel very isolated because I can't bring myself to tell anyone (except my T), and it made me realize how lonely I am. 

I hesitated to create an account because I feel like my abuse was probably not as bad as what most people here experienced, but I know I tend to minimize what happened to me so I'm trying to work on that. 

I'm just hoping to find people to talk to.

 

 

[Nienna]

Welcome Aliss!

Definitely a step in the right direction, I'm quite new here too and being here and talking to the great supportive people on this forum has helped me so much with some of the things you mention (especially minimising). I hope it does you too. 

[MeBeMary]

Hi Aliss,

Welcome to AS. I am very sorry for the trauma you've endured, but I am glad you found us. Our community is supportive and understanding. Please know that altho we may not all have the same traumatic experiences, every experience was unfair and crosses the line between right and wrong. Every trauma is worthy of support and healing. You will not find anyone here that will judge your being here. You belong here and you are not alone. Take your time to look around. I wish you the very best on your journey of healing.

Mary

 

[missfrier]

Dear Aliss

Welcome to After Silence.  I am sorry to hear of the trauma you have been through!

Being here has helped me so much.   Everyone is so caring and supportive here.  I am proud of you for reaching out.  I know that is hard to do.  I also know that you will find that needed compassion and support here within our community.  Know we are here for you and we will listen whenever you would like to lean on us.    

[Capulet]

Welcome, @Aliss from one extreme lover of cats to another!  Your photo made me smile.  I have five of these lovely feline companions at home and they certainly keep me on my toes.

I agree with Mary completely - trauma is trauma - there's no scale of severity and no one person's experience is worse than, more important than or less than another's.  We all understand trauma and how difficult it is to talk about it.  You're definitely not alone, here.  This is a terrific community filled with many people who care and are willing to support anytime you need.   Take your time to look around, and jump in whenever you're ready, you'll only be met with kindness here at After Silence.  Welcome.

Best wishes,
Capulet

[silentg]

Hi @Aliss,

Welcome to AS! I am glad you found our community. I understand how hard it is to talk to people in real life about things like what happened to us, and I also minimized what I went through but have learned that we each have our own experience of trauma that deserves support and validation and not comparison. I found being here for a while has helped me to talk about it more easily in my life now - what I find these days ironically is that others often can't hear it, even when I'm ok to talk about it.  But here you can express anything you need to and it's a safe and nonjudgmental place.

[Struggling88]

Hi, Aliss, and welcome!  All abuse is bad. No one deserves to be abused. Glad you’re here, but sorry for what happened to you. 

[Aliss]

Thank you everyone for your kind replies and warm welcome! I look forward to getting to know you all.  

[goldraindrops]

Dear @Aliss,

Welcome to After Silence.  I'm sorry for the suffering that has brought you here, but you have found a kind and supportive community full of people ready to support you.  

I would like to tell you that no amount/degree of abuse is ok, no matter what.  It is a myth that causes people to minimize their suffering and stop themselves from reaching out for help.  Sexual abuse of any kind is wrong and destructive - period.  

Wishing you comfort and healing,

Gold Raindrops