@PlatonicSeeker Welcome to the site! I'm glad that you are here, and that you are seeking something that will enrich your life.
In my experience, (I've been here for a few years now), the tone of the forum seems to go in cycles. I hope that you also find content that is encouraging and mentally stimulating.
If you stick around, you'll get to know who the regulars are, and you'll see who is posting simply because they like to stir the pot.
Again, welcome!
Actually, after thinking about it a bit more, I want to expand on my previous comment. I still believe there are a lot of passive aggressive tone in many comments but I think that is a symptom, not a cause. I think the underlying cause is there are a lot of people here who are hurting, clients and pros alike.
I have not met any cuddlers in person or even by private message yet but I feel like I have glimpses into some potential cuddle friends from their detailed profiles and the comments they have made here. I grew up in a family with 3 sisters and we were close enough that I learned how to listen between the lines. I know what it means when my sisters solicit opinions about what advice they should give a friend in XYZ situation (aka “asking for a friend) and I get the same vibe on some threads here.
Everyone processes their hurt in different ways. Some keep it bottled up (not particularly healthy). Some try to drown it with a wine bottle or pill bottle (probably even less healthy). Some by being aggressive and some by withdrawing completely. I am not a mental health expert and I don’t pretend to know what works but I feel like this past year I have become an expert on every approach that doesn’t work. I am still seeking solutions and that is why I picked the user name I did.
@JoyfulHeart Thank you. Your name is well chosen. When I started reading various threads here I quickly realized that your comments are consistently encouraging and uplifting and the whole world needs a lot more of that right now.
@PlatonicSeeker welcome! I hope you find that there are lot more positive people and posts here than negative ones. You're right, @JoyfulHeart is just that- he's a lil' ray of sunshine! ☀️😊
Awwh, you guys!! 😳
@sunnysideup “I've noticed a lot of conflict arises from plain old miscommunication… or reading into someone's comment in a negative way.”
I 100% agree. Forums like this and/or text message conversations are horrible ways of communicating when it comes to emotionally sensitive topics. Written communication lacks the tone of voice, facial expressions and body language we rely upon to understand each other’s intentions when we speak face to face.
I recently had a text conversation with someone that ended poorly and I blame myself for continuing to text when it was becoming obvious there was a real communication problem - I don’t think either of us were really “hearing” the other and we were both reading the wrong intentions into what was being typed by the other (I can’t speak for the other person but in hind sight I know I was guilty of this).
Had the same issue been discussed in person (or even by voice on a phone call) I think things would likely have turned out differently but the damage has been done. It is just too easy to misunderstand other’s written words because many, if not most, of us have a tendency to read through our own filters based on life experience, current mood, time of day, stress levels, etc.
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hidden-brain/id1028908750?i=1000549575276
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hidden-brain/id1028908750?i=1000550357215
@blisscuddles ~ Yay for the podcast links! I'm looking forward to listening after work today. Thanks 🤗