Hi all. I've been going through a very tough patch. Not how I wanted to start Elul...
So I finally joined GYE and am reaching out. I don't feel comfortable sharing on a public forum (despite anonymity) but I would still appreciate any responses. Just not to be alone in this.
Thank you,
Hopeseeker

hopeseeker wrote on 23 Aug 2017 23:39:

I feel for you brother 

Wanting to bond with others
Wanting to stay hidden

I think for most of us it ends up with 1 or the other, not both. See how things take you...

Welcome! It would be pretty awkward if we all just posted how we have a problem, but are not comfortable sharing more.  Then the next guy would say, me too, I also have a problem that I'm also not comfortable sharing. (awkward silence....)

I think a big part of recovery is exactly that - sharing things we are not comfortable sharing.  I shared my whole acting out history on a dov call, and it was a BIG step for me.  You don't have to spill it all at once and you don't have to spill it here. But, spill it to someone at some time.  It is a real game changer.  We all have skeletons.  We don't bite... usually .

Welcome. I started last Elul. GYE has helped me change my life. 

Welcome! GYE has helped me alot. I hope it will help you too. Feel free to email me if you'd like at ihavestrength1@gmail.com. 

Welcome. There are many great tools on GYE. Find what works for you. I personally agree that a big step can be doing uncomfortable things. I however fully understand the feeling of reluctance about sharing private info. I still have a number of things that no one but me know about. Mostly specific details and whatever. I don't believe it has held me back from getting help though. I definitely needed to open up a lot to get help but some things I may just take to the grave. 



Bottom line no one is forcing you to share anything you don't want to. It should be noted though that it can be very helpful to at least open up about some things. It may be hard for anyone to extend personal advice knowing nothing at all. 

You may even find that things aren't really a big of a deal as we make them in our minds once you look around on the forums. You can probably relate to hundreds of posts. 



Whatever you you decide to do I wish you the best. You definitely have taken the first step regardless of what you do going forward. Stick around, you may learn a great deal about yourself. 

Thanks for being my first response. It means a lot.

Thanks. I want to share, but at this stage it's going to be easier not on a public forum. Even in private chats if I know a bit about the other guy it makes it easier.

I definitely understand what you are saying. Whatever you find works best for you.

Hi and welcome!

It is not easy to open up and share your story with others. It took me a while to come clean to my wife and others for that matter. However, I feel that once I was able to get it out there to people I was then capable of moving on. Once I acknowledged all the wrongdoings and flaws, admitted to others what I had been involved in I was then able to begin working on building my life back up.

I am thankful to this day for the people who encouraged and prodded the dirty secrets out of me...

I wish you much hatzlacha and you should have the strength to fight the fight each and every day.

Amen, thank you.

I really get not wanting to share a lot, I'm also by nature a very reserved person.  I found for myself that overcoming that and sharing anonymously (even without sharing in person) has been very hepful.  Feel free to pm me or chat with me if it would help you to speak with someone privately, I'd be happy to hear you out.

Hatzlacha!

Welcome. You wrote if you know more about the person maybe you would be comfortable chatting. You can read my story on the balei batim forum titled "My Story and G-d bless GYE" and then decide.......