Trying makes it worse

[tyme]

Thank you so much for that feedback @Appleblossom .

I resonate with what you are saying because the forums have become part of my life too. 

I'm not sure if you are aware, but I began using the forums a number of years ago. I later became a Community Guide, and from there, when I realised the benefits of supporting others, I looked into peer work. That is how I became a peer support worker.

The forums have taught me to reconnect with a world that was so distant from me. To begin to reach out to those in society. To relearn how to communicate with others. 

I spent many years enveloped in depression and trauma - but the forums have helped me out. And it's members like you @Appleblossom @Shaz51 @TAB and others who have made these forums so accessible and inclusive.

I embrace you all as part of our forum family.

Kindest,

tyme

[Appleblossom]

I don't need to connect your old profile. @tyme Thanks for sharing.  I am older and decided not to go into the workforce. I have enough and live simply. Making more money wont bring my loved ones back, so I just keep on.  However I do think the Lived Experience workforce is a great movement.

[TAB]

Sheesh @tyme Thanks .. 🏅😅😸🎩👋

[EternalFlower]

Hi @Appleblossom was your week a difficult one? I know u had some support calls for Ur son, I'm sorry u feel fragile and raw, it can sometimes be harder on thr weekends. Sending you the best for tonight that soup sounds great

I like these forums a lot

[Shaz51]

Awww thanks @tyme ❤❤

[Appleblossom]

Glad you like the forums. @EternalFlower Different things work better for different people.  I really like your name.

I have to face that I am very wounded and that I will have weeks like that, but I am also resilient and have established some good things in my life.  Somehow getting older helps even though there are problems with that ... lol.  

You radiate a gentle glowing sense.  Keep being you.

Dear @tyme did not mean to be abrupt.  Just did not want to mess with the anonymity guidelines, though the old profile was anonymous too ... silly me ... idk ... some profiles come to mind ... but not exactly sure who you 'were' ... it matters that some of the connections here in the forums go back a while ... its getting to be a long while for me ... mid 2015. 7 Years YAY!  I don't think I would have made it alive without the forum.

[Shaz51]

I will be here 7 years in august @Appleblossom xx

And you have helped me soo much over years 

[EternalFlower]

Hi @Appleblossom @Shaz51 @TAB 

Congratulations for all you've done to help others here  in the forums.

We're lucky and I'm personally very happy Ur here to keep the forums so kind and accepting.

@Appleblossom I'm often called gentle, I'm a soft person without harsh edges.

I like to have kind and friendly interactions, thank u for appreciating my value.

I like that I could vent here safely and be welcomed. I find some mh spaces have an approach that the medical system needs to be seen as perfect. 

I am not critique of it, but I will say firmly, the medical system and the medical model for mh are nor perfect.

[TAB]

.. mid 2016 here so 6 years I guess. It's been a Process, well for me. Anyway still is in some ways I guess. 

Thanks for your Kindness @EternalFlower @Appleblossom @Shaz51 

[Appleblossom]

@Shaz51 @TAB Its been quite a journey.  We often do not know who will stick it out.

@EternalFlower 

Definitely aware of the limits of the medical model in mental health.  It has some role, but it ought be subordinate to life skills and support and community to name some values.  Unfortunately the medical model is very expensive, and has legal advantages, which are mainly advantages for staff, not participants.  

I am getting less gentle as I get older,  maybe a little ornery even, but think I made a few friends today, by being outrageous and loud.  I could not help myself, as I was passionate about the purpose behind the group, but it fell on good soil... and I got some free plants ... lol.

There can be a lot of strength in gentleness.  Walk your path.