Avoiding returning to a negative mindset by not commenting...

Well, I can't really say since I'm not a pro at starting discussions. Yea go look, its astonishing ;p. When I get going, I'll probably do it from a positive perspective and a relatively harmless but fun topic. I do that because I'm usually posting to people's sad stories offering help and solace, or I'm debating with others, even sometimes referring. I'd be lying if I said it doesn't phase me. Posting under all that can leave my heart heavy. So I can see it from your perspective if you need to abandon a topic or discussion. Many times, its just not worth it, plus the weight on the heart, shoulders and mind aren't too good for a person. If you are feeling hurt, you have the right to bail out. Take a break, take a breath and let it go. Do something relaxing to get your mind off it. Its not rude if you need to take off from a discussion, many times you do just so you don't lose it. And other times, it's usually been hijacked/derailed either way so getting involved in that downward spiral is a big nothin'.

No you are not rude. And it is good that you don't return to negative discussions.I don't respond to negative comments, but your discussion I did respond to.Negative or positive, I will respond to any discussion that I can. Thanks for this post. It is very polite to do so.I see that you are feeling better. Take Care.

One area that I now completely avoid is religion because it always sets me off because of the negative response that seem to come out when people of different religions start bashing each other for their beliefs. I am very religious but I do not want to fight about it with anyone.. I do not think you are rude for not responding to each post. Sometimes it is really hard to do that because yu just can not add anything to what is already said. There is nothing wrong with that.

While there will always be negatives in our lives, we don't have to go looking for them. If I want to be depressed or negative, I will watch the silly news. I think that the more positive we can find to hold in our minds, the less room for the negative-feel bad things. Then again, if it weren't for the negatives, we could not discern the positives. We always have a choice in what we pay attention to and act upon.

Sometimes I will come across discussions that I avoid b/c I know they will set me off. Otherwise I'd spend all my time fighting with other members on here. :) Have a great day!! AT PEACE WITHIN

I have definitely been there! I will try to add some kind of response if I can make myself do it but sometimes it's just to hard for me to do.

I dont think its rude at all....and I've done it not only online but offline too..if there is a topic that I was having issues with but worked through it and someone (offline) brings it up again I have no problem either saying that its not somethign I want to bring up again OR just totally blowing them off (which IS rude but whatever...sometimes its the only way to get it through to some ya know)..... Self preservation lecanis...thats never a bad thing as far as I'm concerned...and if some ppl cant understand it/that then oh well IMO

No you are not rude and I don't blame you. I have one right now that I posted that is bothering me a bit. I just figured I will take it day by day and when the urge hits me to respond and the strength is there, I will. It's not that it will put me in a negative mood, which is a better reason for not coming back, it's that it's bothering me. All of my responses are wonderful positive ones, it's just I feel, ... Ok I can't put my finger on why it's bothering me, it just is. So I will reply as I can.

Of course it's not rude. You put your feelings out and there is no need to re visit if you don't feel like it. You are excellent at responding to all of your discussions. If you miss one, the only thing that friends would be concerned about is where you are and if you are OK.

I also Lecanis have experienced this. I have started a few discussions that I end up wishing I had not started. I do eventually get back around to trying to finish up what I started at least like you in rating all of those responses I might not have answered directly back to. Another thing I find is that if someone upset me with a comment, it takes the enjoyment out of the rest of the discussion for me. I know I should not let this happen but sometimes it does.

In my opinion, I feel it is allright to "abandon" a discussion posted, especially if it will bring back the negativity. At times, I understand we just need to let out, and I find mylot is a great platform for such. There are so many supporting friends and it really makes one feel good and encouraged. It's allright.

It's perfectly understandable if you don't want to go back to a discussion that perhaps was written during a negative feeling and phase...I understand where you are coming from and I think many of us sometimes will write something that is basically very negative since we just want to rant and rave and get it off our minds. One of the whole reasons I dumped my therapist was almost precisely the same reason, one, I just didn't feel he was helping me period, but more important, there are just so many times of yakking up and bringing up the past, my feeling that it keeps me too much in the past...it's done over with--to keep dredging it up will keep me in the past instead of going forward--and quite frankly I got tired about talking about my mother--LOL ...so same with your discussions...to re-read it over brings back the negativity and all the feelings around it that you had at that moment back to you...so like geez...who needs that? I think a lot of us who are your friends will understand...I do!!

I am a newcomer so haven't commited any mistakes till day. But if it happens with me then i'll let people know about. But u'r article have completely wiped away any chance to commit such a mistake.Thanks