Coming out after being stalked

[TruthSeeker]

Thanks so much Bkinder and congratulations on doing something that you obviously love. That is a hard...

If I were in your situation, I'd network online to everyone and anyone who is doing something similar (this is your research phase), identify my target audience, create a website and start a blog on topics that the target audience would be interested in (essential oils), give away some in trade for using their opinions online, and monthly give-aways always attract some folks and conversation and this is a typical marketing technique. Look at other similar sites and see what you can do better-. I know lots of folks who use essential oils, and people who do healing touch, Reiki, etc. would be good sources to hook up with and would support your endeavor by word of mouth.

 

[HëllaBubz]

@shimmerz - how about a mini PTSD first aid kit? I reckon they'd sell like damn hot cakes!

 

[shimmerz]

how about a mini PTSD first aid kit?

My god you are brilliant! That is a great idea.

But here is the problem. How to get it exposure on the internet? I can't seem to make myself found somehow. But goddammit that is a good idea!

 

[TruthSeeker]

@shimmerz - how about a mini PTSD first aid kit? I reckon they'd sell like damn...

No, I can see a book coming......uh uh uh.......if you are a writer: Chapter 1. Getting Grounded-techniques and a kit with edibles, music, smells, oils, etc. to ground yourself. Chapter 2. Grounding ineffective time to flee ...a Fleebag …...A sporty PTSD bag packed with overnight goodies (unisex jammies, toothbrush, and other necessities, along with a book with positive statements to read to counter the inner critic and a soft self soothing thingy for the upset and not so quiet inner child) along with that first aid kit you mentioned, that is kept in the car, bike, moped, or by the door at all times-for moments of paranoia or needing to flee....I could have used these last summer! Okay, having too much fun with this....but it has possibilities!

 

[shimmerz]

OMG you are killing me! I LOVE this! love it, love it. love it. You have made me laugh tonight @Bkinder. That's not so easy. I so appreciate that!

 

[TruthSeeker]

OMG you are killing me! I LOVE this! love it, love it. love it. You have made me laugh tonight [USE...

Just keep in mind what I keep reading about people who are prone to PTSD- we have highly creative minds.....so, consider yourself in the elite group of creative minds, and get busy! We are more than PTSD! We are creators!

 

[HëllaBubz]

My god you are brilliant! That is a great idea.

But here is the problem. How to get it exposure on...

I know, I know *bows* You should feel honoured, you've been privileged enough to witness the.....*counts fingers carefully*.....oh snap, the THIRD time I've been brilliant this year.:x3::laugh::laugh::laugh:

But srsly tho - Etsy is an awesome place and so is gumtree?

Research topics:
Essential oils that are stimulating - peppermint/patchouli/lavender/bergamont etc
A textured piece of jewelry to wear for grounding?
mini hand lotion with little scrubby bits in it?
a smart arse sassy quote on a card?
microwaveable heat pack?

I REALLY like sensory packs for those with autism - I find that the crossover between coping mechanisms between autism and PTSD is actually quite large.

Just keep in mind what I keep reading about people who are prone to PTSD- we have highly creative minds...

Damn straight - harness that bitch!
PTSD for me is like a highly volatile, hyperactive genius monkey that escaped from a lab and can be entertaining, terrifying, hilarious, dead set shoot-that-bastard annoying but is nearly always a drag. I prefer to harness things because quite frankly, I'm too damn lazy to PTSD today, yesterday or tomorrow!

Different flavoura of tea, mints, hard candies can also be really useful too.

 

[TruthSeeker]

Different flavoura of tea, mints, hard candies can also be really useful too.

@TheBubzilla if I let myself go into Creative Dissociationland, I could sit here in bed, type or draw all night ideas that come to my head until I get exhausted. I think dissociation has it's place, and in the creative projects which take lots of focus and time, an awesome place to allow yourself to dissociate in a functional and creative way.

Shimmerz needs a focus group! @Bubzilla You'd be a great focus group member! :D

 

[shimmerz]

Shimmerz needs a focus group!

This is true, I do need a focus group. Or five - or does having 5 defeat the purpose of the word 'focus'?

Okay, all of these ideas are great. I don't know if this is a 'can't be seen' thing or what but what is it that is striking terror into me when I think about even having a presence on the web? Any chance that I can PM you guys? I feel like I need some extra boosting when it comes to walking through the online presence stuff. No pressure at all. I just seem to have this block that is happening and I can't think my way through putting myself out there. I don't know if it is self sabotage or if it is PTSD stuff. Something is getting in the way.

 

[Abstract]

Somehow that means the percentage is not relevant unless it is 0% because that is what I have left in me to fight with.
No idea if that makes sense to anyone else but me - but that is helpful, thank you.

Hi Shimmerz!
Yes it does! Totally. Loved reading your progress with this. On a personal level am always grateful for you sharing as so often relate, even when the context is very different. Would share more if my paranoia wasn't so all encompassing. ;)

You have received great advice from the others.

I have a small business and have been seen as extremely strange as haven't managed to convince myself to do any " exposure" :wtf::yuck: over many many years. It all looks decidedly odd and receives repeated comments but that hasn't yet managed to budge me. Not the same situation as you but I do understand that inability to trust my perception of reality, and past experience of people not being able to understand the pathological nature of a situation. Sometimes words don't do it easily and its rather easy for people to feel its pure paranoia. Somehow what you write about this helps my shame about my situation even though the contexts are very different.

For me, I have come to the conclusion that invalidation (past and long term) and traumatic (where once sense of reality is totally messed with) as well as personality traits for me where my sense of reality was quite difficult (as was my sense of identity) hugely effects how much I can trust myself. Have come to conclusion that, for me, it is this fundamental issue trusting my perceptions that makes so many things harder when it comes to potentially vulnerable situations. Not least of all I have a history of blanking out warning signs. I hope I am different now but its hard to trust.

I hope this doesnt seem like me just making this about me. ;) Just dashing it down in case its relate-able. Grateful to do so too. Thinking of you and hoping you find some clarity with this for you.

Somehow we need to both tap into our real feelings and instincts - AND identify what is and cancel out hypervigilence. :O_o::bag: Sometimes you have to do what you have to do, regardless. I am in the process (after 9 years) or attempting to do that too. I am right behind you. :yuck: Not the same situation as I believe I am in fact safe now but have some common ground and wish you much wisdom, centredness and safety. And success! I am just putting one foot in front of the other and hoping I can deal with the consequences once all is launched. I hope all becomes clear to you and you identify what is right for you.

 

[TruthSeeker]

This is true, I do need a focus group. Or five - or does having 5 defeat the purpose of the word 'foc...

@TheBubzilla My situation is tenuously safe and I've started feeling better in more recent months and considering doing things I'd have never considered last year....but in the past year I have been physically violated and emotionally abused by family........and I hesitate to get close to anyone on this site by personally messaging....because then I'd open up and be afraid the whole time and probably weird out in the end over something that wasn't even a problem. I've been followed, photographed, stopped dead in traffic alone with motorcycles all around and no other cars... and intimidated in a variety of ways..... and I'm not looking to get hurt again. So, with that said, if you start a thread along the lines of "advice for being independent from home by starting an online business", and I'll be happy to chime in and answer publically -but I don't message anyone personally here...it doesn't feel safe. It is sooooo public....and I'm not there yet with personal messages to anyone and even often get creeped out when someone "over likes" a message I write. Dumb...but my family is highly computer saavy and have nothing better to do than gaslight me online and they'd have fun joining this site and screwing with my head. Maybe I'll feel differently in 6 months.....but I hope you understand.

 

[HëllaBubz]

@Bkinder don't sweat it at all. I am a pretty chilled person and if you're not comfortable then that's good enough for me - no explanations required of expected :)

So @shimmerz how are we doing today?