Published on 12, July, 2020
Hey,
Just wanted to say to everyone I have spoken to and befriended on here, I have decided to leave the forum
This used to be my safe space where I felt it was a loving community of autistic people who, while we may not fit in with the outside word, supported each other and helped each other through life
I've just logged on here for the first time in a month and my goodness, half an hour on here has caused me more stress than being on Twitter!What an utterely horrible, poisonous place this has become, full of argueing and name calling and labelling. Anyone who disagrees with certain people on here is belittled and verbally abused to an extent that would get you arrested in the real world. What a sad state of affairs
Ive tried to start positive posts but, to be honest, I just dont have the energy. The outside world is exhausting enough without all the garbage on here.
I have a pretty content, well balanced life these days and I don't want to be involved in what this place seems to have become.
I honestly want to say though, in my early days of learning about my autism, this place kept me going and helped me make sense of it all. To everyone who has ever said a kind word to me or shown me kindness on here, thank you. There are some truly, unique, lovely people on this place and each and every one of the kind ones on here has a special place in my heart. I wish you well for the future.
Maybe I will come back on here one day if it ever gets back to what it used to be
In the meantime, good luck and Godbless!
Very true. A common tactic on Twitter too I believe
I think I may stay on the site and just avoid the arguementative posts. It might be better for my mental health than leaving altogether
It would be a pity if you didn't return as I have enjoyed your friendly posts about down to earth things. I have just read some of the posts people are referring too and think it is sad when someone starts a post for ideas or a friendly chat and it becomes something else.
I tend to mostly look at the light hearted posts and find the argument type posts unhelpful as well as difficult to follow. I hope things improve on here and you feel able to come back again sometime.
I know how you feel. There is a lot of really great support on here, but with certain subjects, if you disagree at all with the orthodoxy, some individuals feel they have license to deliberately misrepresent what you have said so they can be abusive while lying to themselves that they are virtuous ... and never apologize when their abuse is called out and clearly shown to them.It is a common tactic in politics and it is really sad that it happens here.
Take care of yourself. I hope you'll feel able to come back soon when you are ready.
Rest well x
I'm sorry to see you leave. I am thinking about it myself. I disconnected myself from social media, media in general and from random social gatherings for some reasons as being exposed to regression, hate speech, sexism, hompphobia or insensitivity of others. I protected myself against all that and created a small world for me and my dear people that I pick very carefully to be in my life. I wonder why am I still exposing myself to it here?!... It has been really stressful and triggering. Unfortunately those loud hateful voices dominate the websites are forums and push others away. I think that I need to hibernate and heal.
Hope you'll stick around. Going dormant as needed always seems the best approach to me. I haven't been on the forum a lot lately so have no idea what topics and debates your first post relates to, and don't presently feel inclined to delve too deeply, but I'm sorry you've been feeling upset and hope things get better for you in terms of this place feeling like that valued safe space again. Take care Billy.
Really sorry to see you leaving Billy. I do understand why though. Take care of yourself and I hope you feel you will be able to return when you're ready.
Good luck Billy87 I hope you will come back when things have settled and things are also better for you. You are a valued member here and will be missed.
That's a good idea. Sometimes a break away can do a lot of good, give yourself time to rest and things around you to settle. I do this a lot when I'm triggered by things that affect me.
I hope we will see you again in better times
I would like that Daydreamer, thank you
Thank you that means a lot to me. I felt the same about you and your posts
I may not leave completely, just going to take some time out from the forum for a while in the hope that this place calms down and gets back to what it used to be
You will be missed Billy but i dont blame you, i felt the same yesterday. I wish you all the best and hope you return one day. Take care of yourself, I always enjoyed reading your posts and you had a lot to offer this place.
Hi, just wanted to introduce myself. I'm sorry to see you go, I would like to have got to know you. Hopefully you will return when things are better and you are feeling better and then we can be friends too :)
Look after yourself and take care.
I'm sorry to see you leave Billy and wish you all the very best for the future.
Take care.