Amazing!

don't listen to your shrink; friends are friends; it doesn't matter where you meet them. I met friends online and I'm still talking to them and they last longer than my offline friends.

Hi shadow, thank you for sharing that wonderful story. I have often felt that way, having come across some really awful people in my life who took advantage of me and never returned my friendship.



I do want to say though that even though you have a wonderful support community online, I think it may give you the confidence to attract better people to you as friends in the "real world". I know your ep friends are real as mine are and I wouldn't trade them for anything. It took me a long time to force myself to meet people other than online after being burned many times, but I have connected with a few people and am going to make an effort to keep the friendships, because sometimes you need someone to come to your home and give you a hug or laugh over a cup of coffee. Please don't take this the wrong way, I just think that since you made some wonderful friends here, your confidence and self esteem shows so maybe you will find a few people who will return the friendship you warmly extended.

You are right. I'll tell you that I used to be quite the skeptic regarding the internet as a social medium. I had always used it for work, but now I see a change in my beliefs. I feel that now more than ever mankind is closer and more unified because of it. I regularly maintain friendships with people I would of never otherwise met because they live in far away lands. A pessimist would ridicule and reject, an opportunist would talke full advantage of this. Have a nice day..

Peace!

Great great story! Put a smile on my face.

ok

good

I know how you feel though because I was told the same thing.



Just as long as you know that I understand that's just where you are with social stuff atm, and I wasn't trying to say anything negative.



And don't forget, I'm socially stupid too.;)

I'm not real though, I am a robot?!

I just figured that out, so be careful. LOL

The sad thing is that I understand where both you and your therapist stand.

Your situation is idea, and I mean that your friends may come to see you is what makes it ideal, and let's face it we're gonna pry you outta there for the anime convention. >:)

But, before I came to EP I played FFXI, and met some people on there. I wanted to stay, talk to them, play with them, and whatever. The thing is, I wanted to STAY in that world and never come out, and I had no real chance of meeting these people.

I did and do consider those people real friends, but the fact is that I couldn't live my life by relying on that filter. It depressed me, and was a big cause as to why I didn't want to leave my house for a while.

I figured through that experience, we as humans must touch*cough*(momo), see, hear*cough*(shadow), taste, and smell all parts of life to be happy. I mean we need it, just as much as we need food, to be healthy. That is impossible through the filter that the net puts in front of you.

This just the way I feel about it.(no imposing beliefs here)

Hi Shadow28,



I've only just joined this site but I've loved what I've seen so far. I think it's fabulous that people can find community and acceptance - even if it is anonymously. Of course the people who type the comments and posts are 'real people'!.



The sentiments and expressions of concern and care come from real people who read what you say and who empathise with you.



Okay - maybe it's not ideal to relate to people online instead of face to face, but let's 'face' it (excuse the pun!), sometimes it's good to have the option to back away if things get a bit 'hairy' and 'scary'. That's hard to do if you have a real live face to face relationship.



Maybe the internet is a good place where you can develop more confidence - so that when you're ready, you'll be better able to relate to people in 'real life'. All the best Shadow28!

I agree Shadow. I think you are awesome! So glad to know you : )

EP people were there for me when I reached out in my darkness, not knowing who to talk with, how to deal with my emotions. I had both public and private messages within minutes, offering help, offering advice, offering their experience... offering friendship! I know what you mean!

What a beautiful story! I don't mind reading long *** posts when they're done this well :) And the conclusion sums it all up perfectly. Thank you so much for sharing!