Even though I'm new here, I thought maybe my 2 cents would help a little. I found this board the same day I registered. I never thought of lurking because I was looking for answers and possibly help to get over my dilemma. It seemed like an answer to a prayer that I found this board and I was anxious to start healing quickly.
My first post was a little long and told my story and some of my feelings. I wasn't pounced on in any way which makes me think that newbies should be the ones most careful in posting when they first get here. If a newbie doesn't want to be discovered, it's not difficult to leave names, towns, situations out of your introduction...just tell everyone why you are here and what you've been through. I could see how easy it is for a newbie to be called a troll by reading what they write, or maybe I should say what they don't write. It's odd that a newbie would start writing as if they have been here for a while and is a known poster. If I had been here a while lurking, and was just starting to fade or had friends and family I wanted to hide from, I would never start posting making it sound like I was fishing for information or whatever or just start posting like everyone knew me already. I understand there are many of you here that don't want to be discovered and that is natural as well as your natural response/reaction to a newbie that doesn't seem up front or saying just the right things. It takes time for established members to gain confidence and trust newbies. It's just natural to be distrusting of newbies not knowing if it's your PO snooping on you or something.
It would be SUPER nice if there was a board here entitled "Welcome Members" or something where newbies could introduce themselves instead of jumping head first into regular threads. I know for me, it was (and still is) difficult to figure out which board to post my new threads.
Anyway, I've been welcomed warmly enough for being new here. Thanks!
...OUTLAW