Hey everybody. Thought I'd drop a line and introduce myself. I've been struggling with anxiety (especially social) and depression for most of my life. Grew up in a rural conservative area in the 90's, so mental health wasn't really a thing there other than maybe a little help from a general practitioner. Started my real mental health journey after an abusive marriage, and subsequent move to another state several years ago.
I've read Brandon for years, ever since he finished Wheel of Time for Robert Jordan, but it wasn't until the last year that I've really started to connect with the characters and all of their flaws in meaningful ways. I always enjoyed the books, but I guess I wasn't in a place where I could recognize what they're going through. I especially connect with Kaladin and Renarin in Stormlight. I'm very protective, but don't really take care of myself well enough, and I can relate what it's like to be alone in a crowded room. But as I re-listen to the books again, I'm finding new connections all the time. I feel like it's the first time I've really had this that I can recall.
I've never had much in the way of community, and I've even had to cut off most of my family at this point. It's just me and my partner. She had to cut off her family, too, and is from out of state and doesn't have any local friends, as she's disabled and isn't able to get out very much.
I guess I'm just looking for someone with some common interests to talk to. My anxiety makes it really difficult to meet people, and even this took some working up to.