it is not my first time navigating to and around this forum; however, it is the first time I have felt compelled to post.
arriving here some time ago, I admit that I was nervous. my curiosity runs deep, yet my desire to put myself in harm's way does not.
I could not help but to think myself among friends, though, even when I was not writing. reading your experiences, your worries, your anomalies, they made me feel not so alone in my own.
things have changed since I had those first, lingering anxious thoughts. more importantly, I have changed, and I find myself wondering if it is actually more safe to stay in the shadows. my anxiety around giving myself a name here remains, but I know it is the right thing to do. knowledge is power, and not sharing our knowledge with one another only gives us a deficit in this massive world.
I hope to add something of value here, to alleviate the weight of someone else's doubts or maybe to help make you feel less alone. if I can give you knowledge, too, then know that I will certainly try.