Hi

Hello.

Talking to people, even online, can make you anxious because you can't predict what will happen. You don't know them. Although I still get unexpected responses from people I do know.

The thing is to be confident and have a go, which you have done.Once you start it can snowball.

It will get easier. Your views are equally valid. I hope you enjoy it.

I used to be so scared of saying the wrong thing

Just don't be discouraged by unexpected responses. I'd analyse them to death to figure out what I'd missed and assume I was wrong. But I do it much less now and just ask them if I'm bothered by it.

Animals are often easier to read. 

I'm sorry about your mum, it's additional stress.

What do you like to collect?

Hi! 

Thanks for explaining this, it's something that was bothering me a little because I was like why am I even anxious about this? It's only online chat . But actually that's pretty big. I think it is anyway. 

It's big for me. 

I struggle with engaging with others. In person is worst but I'm not great at it as a whole. I worry in case I come across as horrible or if I'm too weird or say too much. 

Stuart333 said:

I used to be so scared of saying the wrong thing

This is literally me all the time! 

Thanks for your understanding. It means a lot and it's reassuring and a comfort  

It's really sad with mum but she's doing ok. It's just a bit hard to watch happen but I'm good. Take it each day really that's how I get through stuff. 

I love collecting dolls, Pokémon cards, Simpsons stuff and I've got a huge collection of cds.

You can say as much as you like. You might notice some of the posts on here are longer than you would typically see on the internet. Others are short. It's not a competition, just say what you want.

I would t worry about being weird. Everyone has their thing.

I only wash my hands in cold water and I double check the front door is locked so hard I broke the lock. I don't like having hot and cold things on the same plate. Etc 

You can say as much as you like. You might notice some of the posts on here are longer than you would typically see on the internet. Others are short. It's not a competition, just say what you want.

I would t worry about being weird. Everyone has their thing.

I only wash my hands in cold water and I double check the front door is locked so hard I broke the lock. I don't like having hot and cold things on the same plate. Etc 

Stuart333 said:

I don't like having hot and cold things on the same plate.

Now that you mention it, I think I've always felt uneasy about that, too. Lasagne and salad? Sure, but on separate plates (who likes limp lettuce?). And I'll eat all the lasagne first, because I like my hot food to be hot.

Does that mean we're both weird, or does it mean that it's not weird any more?

Style said:

I do ramble a lot lol and sometimes I think those around me are wondering what I'm even talking about. 

But it's good to know I can be myself here

It's best to be yourself, it's easier. It's important to find people you can be open with. Bottling things up causes problems.

You may notice you make connections others don't. They may think you are rambling because they don't see how the things are linked. As long as you do, it's fine.

You may be rambling because you are thinking out loud. You say a variety of things but they are not coherent because you are trying to form a thought, or put them onto a narrative to make sense

You may ramble because you need to provide more information to explain why you think what you do. There is a tendency to either state the conclusion, then people call you blunt, or to over explain. It is hard to get it right. It also depends on how much energy you have.

These things are all normal.

The problem with art is I want it to be perfect. It is good if you can just try things without worrying about how good it is. It is how you learn and you may end up good by accident. I'm pleased you enjoy your painting.

Thank you. I do ramble a lot lol and sometimes I think those around me are wondering what I'm even talking about. 

But it's good to know I can be myself here.

Stuart333 said:

I only wash my hands in cold water and I double check the front door is locked so hard I broke the lock. I don't like having hot and cold things on the same plate. Etc

This sounds sensible to me lol  

Our front door has a security chain which I managed to pull off the door once lmao so don't worry you aren't the only one with a door mishap

I'm very OCD about security, especially at night so before I go to bed I'll check the front door is locked, the windows are locked and I can use my phone to make sure the house alarm is off.