Significant Others
I am an odd duck. I spent 4 years volunteering and being closely involved in a tightly knit business organization, and yet, the number of really close friendships I have made from there are very limited and fluxuate. Certainly these are women that I admire and adore and would do whatever I could do to help, but only one or two of them know 'me'. The me that blogs, the me that writes, the me that cries, the me that rages. And I would be surprised if they know that much.
I was very involved in an internet community for a few years - having withdrawn from that in the past while to focus on work and now my business, but a few of those people, I would consider closer than my 'friends' from real life. These people know my deepest fears and darkest secrets.
Recently, I have toyed with getting really involved with another online community, part of a dating site. The community beyond it, is full of people who have discovered camaraderie and sympathetic souls. This is good but dangerous for me. I appear to get far too attached to individuals I have never met, and probably never will meet.
I replace the people and social atmosphere from my real life, with internet friends. Working at home has created a huge shift for me, no longer seeing anyone but my son every day. Once or twice a week I will see others, but for the most part, I am stuck with my own company. Which is why online communities can be so compelling. Which is why I need to walk away from them.
This doesn't mean I am going to stop blogging - this is far too cathartic and clarifying for me. And I will continue to read and comment, but I won't be participating in online groups or communities, because as attached as I become, it's not reciprocated, and can be very disappointing.
Time to step back out into the real world and see real people, and date real men
I was very involved in an internet community for a few years - having withdrawn from that in the past while to focus on work and now my business, but a few of those people, I would consider closer than my 'friends' from real life. These people know my deepest fears and darkest secrets.
Recently, I have toyed with getting really involved with another online community, part of a dating site. The community beyond it, is full of people who have discovered camaraderie and sympathetic souls. This is good but dangerous for me. I appear to get far too attached to individuals I have never met, and probably never will meet.
I replace the people and social atmosphere from my real life, with internet friends. Working at home has created a huge shift for me, no longer seeing anyone but my son every day. Once or twice a week I will see others, but for the most part, I am stuck with my own company. Which is why online communities can be so compelling. Which is why I need to walk away from them.
This doesn't mean I am going to stop blogging - this is far too cathartic and clarifying for me. And I will continue to read and comment, but I won't be participating in online groups or communities, because as attached as I become, it's not reciprocated, and can be very disappointing.
Time to step back out into the real world and see real people, and date real men