I am genuinely having such a blast interacting with this community. I do apologize if me being everywhere is annoying to anyone, but I really missed something like this place in my life. Sure I can go on Reddit or Twitter, but watch me getting witchhunted for merely breathing wrong. I’d have to hide crucial parts of myself. I wouldn’t be able to fully speak my mind. Here I don’t have to worry about that, I can just exist!

Thank you, rqd2 💟

  • arisu.exeAEnglish
    4•1 year ago

    i saw this interesting thing on VoA. someone mentioned how being “touch starved” is a real thing that has symptoms to go with it. just general depression and whatnot

    they drew a connection between exclusive maps having said symptoms and being touch starved since they usually can’t be with children

    • A Friendly StrangerOPEnglish
      4•1 year ago

      Ah, that makes a lot of sense. Touch starved is used in other contexts too, for example people who where neglected as children by their caregivers.

      Personally for me it’s flipped to the other extreme, because I was neglected and ostracized by the world, I became completely rejective of being touched, loved, shown affection towards, etc. It makes me feel uncomfortable and constricted. I did realize that when I’m with others who actually accept everyone, including me, I open up a little. I become more receptive to the pleasant interactions actually being honest and meaningful.

      I’m probably still always going to remain distant. In the sense that, I struggle to feel love, be vulnerable, etc. I guess I’m just very jaded by the world to the point that I reject any unproven sign of affection. Meaning, if it’s coming from some stranger, I have no guarantee they won’t want to behead me for what I fantasize about, thus their affection means nothing to me.

      Now, if it’s from a cool radqueer paraphile who has some interests in common with me, I will likely warm up a bit to them. But for anyone to actually completely obliterate my wall, I think a lot would need to happen. I still can’t just let someone fully in. I both lack the attraction and trust for that. Still, somewhat detached social interactions can be very meaningful to me, helpful to my mental health, and I’d say I still feel a small affinity for those I’m friendly with.

      Ah rambling. I don’t even really know what my point is here. Guess I’m just infodumping, lol.