Hey everyone!
I'm back with another blog nobody asked for eeeeyyyy!! Jk this was blog homework a while ago but I'd already made too many blogs that week so I decided to hold off on it.
So, I speak a lot about how much I love SG and how passionate I am about the site. I also made a blog a bit ago about all the amazing SG's I've met on and through the site and all the amazing experiences I've had with them throughout my time here. But the REAL pull for me here is the community. Yes, all of you.
I've never blogged about this but those who've interacted with me in DM's and groups know how much I owe to the incredibly supportive SG community that has carried me through some of the darkest times of my life. No jokes. You see, as much as we all love seeing the pics and sets and getting to party and take selfies with sexy girls, the heart of this community is about so much more than that, and the members here are truly a reflection of global love, acceptance, support and appreciation.
There was a time over 10 years ago when I was going through a severe depression. Like, lay in bed all day and not shower for weeks depression. Then one day I randomly stumbled upon a live SG chatroom. It was a place where everyone on the site members, hopefuls, SG's, everyone could just get on webcam and chat. SG Chat became my lifeline and the amazing people I met on there are still in my life to this day, even though many of them have since left the site.
A lot of people left when SG Chat was shutdown and that made me sad but, for a time, it was the only thing that got me up in the morning. I would wake up and connect. Nobody cared that I looked like shit. Nobody cared that I cried a lot. They all just welcomed me, no matter what state I was in. Man, the members here carried me through that depression in ways I will never be able to adequately express in words. They made me laugh through my pain, and held space for me to process my feelings without judgement.
I did this for MONTHS. I got to see life through the lens of people from all over the world who came together just to connect in a world that has become so disconnected. It meant everything to me.
I also found solace in the Depression Outlet group where I could share all the heaviness that was weighing me down and find people who understood it, had been through it, and who showed me the way out.
And then I had an eating disorder.
Nobody could understand when I told them I couldn't eat. Even if I wanted to. Until I joined the Eating Disorder group and found people who said "Same. Let's try together, one bite at a time?" And they did. Meal by meal, pound by pound, the members of that group pieced me back together and bought me back from the brink of something I may never have been able to return from on my own.
I don't think many people fully grasp the power of this site when it comes to acceptance. It covers more than just the alternative look. More than just tattoos, piercings, and an odd taste in music. When they say everyone is welcome here, they mean it. And ALL OF YOU is welcome here. Whether you've just got a new tattoo or you're just celebrating 3 months free from self-harm.
You got an issue? There's a group for that.
I can't even begin to count the number of rants I've posted in the dating sucks group because I just couldn't talk to anyone in my life about this stuff. I needed people who weren't close to the situation or the people involved to give me an outside perspective and sometimes even a little tough love. And this community gave that to me.
When I was recovering from meth addiction that took me away from everyone and everything for years, the first thing I did was join the recovery group here. There, I found fellow recovering addicts who never failed to celebrate my successes with me and understood my struggles.
All over the groups in this site, there are broken pieces of me that came here bleeding and found healing. Secrets that I could never vocalize but found refuge in sharing with the loving community here.
And that's why SG will always be my home. Not only because I have so many Horcruxes here (LOL) but because you have all accepted me at every stage, in every condition, and without fail.
That is a debt I can never repay and a love I can never forget.
To all of you who have been here with me, for me, and loved me for me.
Thank you.
From the very bottom of my heart.
You are what keeps me coming back.
Have an amazing week SG Family!!
With Gratitude,
An SG Veteran
