Samba wrote:
Fantastic post WHBTS.
You're certainly a great writer. You described things so well.
Such good advice about getting stuff out, whether it's notes on your phone, on a computer or just a pen & paper.
I'm sure others will be inspired by your post.
Like I say, there's always hope.
Cheers Samba - kind words and they genuinely mean a great deal. One of the aspects of my current malaise (certainly the self-loathing) is that I'm not 'there for others' like i used to be, which is one of the only things that i always valued about myself. I've always been something of a 'go to guy' for my friends when they've been up against it and of late I've been so self-consumed that I've hated myself for not being the friend to others that i have previously been. So basically simply reading your response has been a fillip for me - call it an ego boost perhaps! - but it all helps!
One of the problems I have that has been exacerbated by my situation is that I find the world in general to be such an unsympathetic and bewildering place that i find it hard to bother about myself recovering when the world i have to fit into seems so ****. I increasingly feel like i'm trying to sail in one direction while the world is drifting in another direction altogether. To that end, i get so much out of visiting this thread and being reminded of the inherent decency of people, both when they're confronted with their own problems and moreso the problems of others. I sense that so many people on here don't even realise the positive effect they have even just sharing their own issues without analysis or answers; ALL who are posting here are contributing something in terms of a common empathy whether they know it/mean to or not.
A couple of words here and there, a problem shared - it ALL helps. It's so hard I know, sometimes impossible, but communication (indirect as well) between us all, even non-specific stuff (just vent it if that's all you feel you can manage right now!) - it all contributes. Don't feel you have to ask for an answer and then don't cos you won't get one. Say whatever you have to, make it a one-sided outburst if you prefer - it all helps.
I don't post on here often so please forgive me for over-compensating tonight - irregardless, keep posting everyone. I'll try harder IF i can to share and care - to the myriad better posters on here who keep offering support to others in the midst of their own struggles; hat doffed to you squires!
Perhaps this sounds trite and sickly (I think every f***ing thing i say and think sounds like that anyway at the mo), but for me this thread is proper West Ham. Our club has been warped superficially in its values, but i suspect this thread reflects something of the core of the idea of the West Ham 'family'. (FFS I'm gonna cringe at that when I look again tomorrow morning...what the hell).