Hi, my name is Flic!

Flic
Flic Online Community Member Posts: 6 Listener
in Start here and say hello!
I guess I'm lonely and looking for a place I can be myself. I'm hoping the relative anonymity of an online forum will allow me that freedom and that maybe, for once, I might be accepted for who I am. 

In truth that may be harder than it seems as I'm not entirely sure I know myself. Does anybody?

As I rapidly approach 40 I've realised how totally alone I am. I don't have family I can speak to and my children are all busy doing their own things as they approach adulthood themselves. 

Can online conversation really help with loneliness and does anyone have any suggestions for the best way to get involved on here? 

Comments

  • chiarieds
    chiarieds Online Community Member Posts: 16,671 Championing
    Hi @Flic - & welcome to the community. Many of our members find it easier to interact with others using an online platform such as this. It seemed like this online community got an even greater number of people joining both during, & after the pandemic, as so many felt lonely.
    One thing I'd say about here, is that many members have a good understanding; either they face similar problems, or just have learnt, as have I, from others experiences.
    Please just get involved in whatever way(s) work for you; it might be a bit of trial & error. The 'Coffee lounge' is a good place to start, where we have many diverse discussions, which aren't just about disability. There's also a thread there called 'Kaleidoscope,' where members talk about, or show, their varying hobbies (everything from photography to crochet). Then there's the 'Book Nook, to talk about, well books! Lastly we also play some games, & there's a long list of them, which you should be able to see quite easily.
    So, to get you started, please try these links, & get to know other members: https://forum.scope.org.uk/categories/coffee-lounge
  • emancherry33
    emancherry33 Online Community Member Posts: 3,640 Trailblazing
    Hi @ Flic I know that feeling of being alone and on my own, I used to know loads of people now struggle with 1 or 2. The beauty of scope is that you remain unknown to a degree which helped me to feel more confident to chat or just add to the games you'll find here.there a friendly lot here, you could just start with a picture of your pet or favourite place you like to hang out and some one usually online, you can get carried away with the 20 game or beat the Admin or the sheep game can get you going for hours. Enjoy yourself and see you about the place😁😸🐶
  • Flic
    Flic Online Community Member Posts: 6 Listener
    Thank you kindly for that welcome @chiarieds. I'm afraid I'm rather limited in hobbies but I will certainly look at others' creations and take a look at the games and book nook. 

    Have you been using the forum for very long? 
  • Flic
    Flic Online Community Member Posts: 6 Listener
    Thank you also to you @emancherry33. The games look fairly fast-paced and I don't want to get things wrong but I will be giving them a try. On the posts where people are asking for advice is there a certain etiquette in regards to who can answer? I have experience with a few things but I'm not sure if I have to wait a while before I might start replying to queries.
  • chiarieds
    chiarieds Online Community Member Posts: 16,671 Championing
    Hi @Flic - I've been on the forum for over 4 years, so here's to an enjoyable time here for a long time for you too. :)
  • chiarieds
    chiarieds Online Community Member Posts: 16,671 Championing
    Don't worry about going wrong with the games, as we all do from time to time, but we just carry on, sometimes in a bit of a muddled fashion! :)

  • Albus_Scope
    Albus_Scope Posts: 8,327 Scope Online Community Coordinator
    Heya @Flic and a big welcome to the community from me. 
    As others have said, you're more than welcome to get involved with threads on the community, or simply lurk for a bit.  Whatever you feel most comfortable with.  But I found in my hermit days, that sometimes a little chat online can make all the difference.  We're all here to support each other. :) 
  • 66Mustang
    66Mustang Online Community Member Posts: 14,987 Championing
    Welcome @Flic

    There is no etiquette as to who can answer a question, if you know the answer to someone's query then go ahead and post it.

    I joined this forum for similar reasons to you and I found it's a good place to get involved with conversations that I perhaps wouldn't have the confidence to get involved with in real life. As an example I am awful at making small talk but one of my favourite threads on here is just people sharing small talk r.e how their day is going.

    It's also a nice safe place to take a few risks, like you say you are quite anonymous and if something goes a little wrong, it doesn't matter, you are not going to embarrass yourself over the computer.

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