Can the forum be a "pink fog" in and of itself?

[Kris Avery]

Today I got to wondering if the forum and all it's support, can be a wee bit addictive.

(Here is how it stacks up for me)
I enjoy commenting on posts, to provide support and insight
I sometimes enjoy starting new threads to see how they develop and learn more about myself and others (that way I stay on-topic)

I REALLY REALLY enjoy posting pictures of myself (I have not been able to figure out the WHY part)

Final thought: Have you ever gone places carrying a tablet so you could properly respond to posts when you go out - rather than just a phone?
No, that has NEVER EVER happened to me (cough):heehee:

Am I alone? how to others stack up?

[Annaliese]

It depends on the person, the day, the week, where I am at in my feeling. So yes I think it can

[Isabella Ross]

Well, I'm a newcomer here. So I check in a lot, and post a lot. I know that will taper off somewhat. But yes, I get inspired by what I read and see here (love photos too, Wendy, which reminds me -- have you accepted the pinup lingerie challenge?). It can put you in a pink fog, yes.

[Crissy Kay]

I would say, maybe!!

[athena23]

For me the rush of connecting with others who are experiencing similar challenges has both accelerated some of my desires but at the same time the pink fog has slowed things down.

[Amy Fakley]

I REALLY REALLY enjoy posting pictures of myself (I have not been able to figure out the WHY part)


Well ... when it comes to posting pictures, I know exactly what you mean.
Posting pictures of yourself in a dress and makeup and the whole 9 on the internet ... that's a mighty odd thing to like doing so much ... but dang it if it isn't so much fun it hurts, LOL.

It's just part of the whole thing, I think.
It's like writing a song. If you never sing it for anyone, what's the point?
And If no one ever hears it, is it really a song or just an idea? Sharing it makes it real.

If you get looking complete fabu, you're gonna want to share that with someone.
and if you can't get out of your house for various reasons ... off to the picture forum! LOL :-)

[Jorja]

I do not and will not post pictures of myself. It is not because you all do not deserve to see me. It is because my pictures were stolen from another site and posted on every porn site there is (It is not my body shown but it is my face). It ended up costing me several thousand dollars to get them removed. There are still a couple around if you know where to look. Fool me once, shame on you. However, you will never fool me again. As for the tablet, I have one with me almost every place I go. When I need to kill some time and all my work is done, why not catch up on what is going on here? There are worst places to go on the internet. The forum a pink fog? No I don't think so, just a way to pass time.

Just so that there is no misunderstanding, my pictures were NOT taken from this site. I have been here since 2010 and to my knowledge no one has had any problem with pictures being taken without permission.

[Rachael Leigh]

Wendy for me I must confess spot on. I love coming here and doing all you say especially picture post. It can be addictive for sure.

[DebbieL]

Think about it for a minute. For how many decades have you had negative reinforcement for being who you really are, and gotten positive reinforcment for being something you really don't want to be?
You might not be a type 6 transsexual like me, but even if you're a type 3 cross-dresser, happy that you can create an image of yourself that reflects a part of your feminine self that you can't express in other ways, there is some aspect of the "real you" that is feminine.

Now you come to a site like this and get positive affirmation of who you are. When you post a picture, you may know that you have 30 horrible pictures to get to that one gorgeous picture where you are beautiful. When you post those favorite pictures of yourself, others tell you what a beautiful girl you are. How many years have you wanted someone to say that and they never did?

I've been full time for almost 2 years now and I STILL LOVE it when someone complements me on my hair, my dress, my nails, or my jewelry. The one thing I love even more is being able to complement other women on those things, because I KNOW how good it makes them feel, and I don't have to worry about them wondering if I'm trying to seduce them, if I have some strange fetish, or if I'm a gay drag queen. At this point, whatever people think of me, they still seem to love getting compliments from me as much as I enjoy getting complements.

So keep on posting, get yourself validated, you're like a starving urchin who has just been invited to a wedding banquet. Enjoy it all. The day may come when you begin to realize you want more, you want to transition, or you might just become more comfortable going out as Wendy more often. We all need strokes, but who wants to be stroked for doing something we really didn't want to do in the first place? How much more can we enjoy a complement when it's something we've wanted to do all our lives, and have finally built up the courage to be ourselves.

Keep posting beautiful pictures, keep reading the forums, and give others encouragement and support. You're right where you should be.

[Charla McBee]

I've always come and gone, my posting history showing flurries of activity followed by long lulls in between. Of course when I first came here it was because I was freaking out a few months after my last big purge and everyone quickly pushed me into a reassuring fog that made me go out in public to buy some new clothes. I had massive anxiety once I was out there doing it and got my share of ridicule from the public but I am still thankful for that early fog. I got a few things that are still staples of my feminine wardrobe and without that pink fog to motivate me I might just have gone insane.

[Kate Simmons]

The Forum is a TG pool of information that can be tapped and utilized by it's members as needed. :)

[Michelle789]

Well said Debbie. I think your post should be a sticky!!!

[Yoshisaur]

I would say yes. reading some of the posts and interacting with the other ladies has definitely made me more comfortable with crossdressing and I want to learn more from them.

[Wildaboutheels]

"Groupthink" is very much alive and well here...

Easily proved by reading responses. Look at almost anyone with over a hundred responses at this Forum and look back at their early responses. One of the bennies of Threads being CLOSED [from "editing"] especially when people post such silly responses as "It's never been sexual for me".

Ummmmmmm no, that's NOT what you said just 6 months ago...

Denial here, helps no one.

No one can fight Mother Nature and win.

[Julie Denier]

Yes, definitely -- I'm constantly checking in, responding to posts and waiting for the next opportunity to share pics ... just did tonight ;)

[Jenny Elwood]

Yes WAH dressing IS sexual to a more or lesser degree (for me anyway). 2000 posts and counting of which what, half was pointing out this blatantly obvious point (again, for me anyway). Not much meat left on that dead horse is there? So why keep flogging it?

How did that song in that kids movie from the recent past go again? Oh yes: "Let it go... Let it go..."

[Katey888]

Interesting thoughts, Wendy - I suspect we are all following in some well trodden footsteps here...

Addictive..? To some extent - but not all addictions are necessarily bad... and I think it is more that we have a relative safe haven of folk that accept and understand us for who we are. The photos are a part of that - Amy got that one right: for those of us who don't or can't get out for some reason, they are both an affirmation and an opportunity to experiment and practice... I don't believe many golfers buy their first set of clubs from the pro-shop and walk straight out to the first tee... :eek: Sharing makes it real...

Tablet versus phone..? No - actually I don't visit the site out... I think it's good to have some space away from it too - but we should be proud and positive about the virtually 24/7 support that we are able to offer to everyone here who needs it... We're all of us here voluntarily and the forum is nothing more than our collective experience, ideals and opinions but that's so valuable to our weird and wonderful subset of society, I think it's bound to be a little murky and pinkish at times... :)

Katey x

[Adriana Moretti]

I think it can be an inspiration to some girls....maybe a swift kick in the a$$ ...or a push into the water...a feeling of community...I am sitting in my hotel room now...and wanted to check in and say hi with my morning coffee...so i guess it can be addictive a bit...but like Katey said...its sooooo nice to get away from it too....especially when it repeats itself...or starts to look like a gigantic pity party.

[Teresa]

Wendy,
The forum can be addictive !
Before I joined last December I was lost in the closet and climbing the walls ! Now not only am I exchanging comments with other CDers and surprisingly GGs but didn't expect to be comparing stories with so many people around the World, and all sharing a common subject !
What possessed me to post a picture of myself ( my avatar ) or being dressed to show shoes I'd bought, I can't say !
The World didn't end and it did help me so much with the comments from members if I wanted to totally come out ! I may not pass but I think I would be acceptable without offending the public too much !
I've realised there is a pink fog and it's easy to get caught up in it through members who are having a different lifestyle, but when you read between the lines it has come at a price which I realise I'm not prepared to pay !

[Kitty215]

Wendy, I have to say this forum has been a contributor to the pink fog I have been in lately. It can definitely be a little addictive. It is really nice to visit and see there are so many others out there that share the same thoughts and feelings that I have struggled with for many years. No matter where the ladies here might fall on the spectrum, from mild CD to living full time or even GG, they all share and can teach us something. Thank you ladies.

[ophelia]

Here's the attraction for me. It's just me, but when I go out I have no desire at all to associate with other crossdressers.
I do love the interactions with GG's while enfemme.
But in here it's all cool...
Does that echo off of the digital walls here with anyone?

[kimdl93]

The forum is simply a place where messages and photos are placed by people with common interests. What and how you make of it, for good or I'll is entirely under your control. To the extent, "pink fog" is another for obsessive behavior. If it's becoming all consuming and compulsive, I'd suggest professional help.

[Renee Elise]

For me, it's so enjoyable after feeling alone for so long and not having anyone I could talk about my girly side with. Sometimes I can't get enough of reading others experience and being able to put myself in those same shoes (likely 5" stilettos lol). As for the "pink fog..." sometimes the posts are inspirational in terms of that next outfit :).

[Melissa in SE Tn]

I don't know how I would have coped with my cd discovery, this late in my life, without reading , learning from & listening to the sages on this forum . Please ask yourself: where would I be, what would I think, how would I deal with my cd life without the wisdom from those on this forum ? My addiction is wanting to learn... Peace, mel

[Stephanie47]

As a retiree with a still working wife I have a lot of time on my hands. I check this site many times during the day while doing my domestic chores- en femme of course. I also spend too much time surfing eBay. I bought a dress today and one yesterday. Today's purchase was dress #107- That's a "Pink Fog," although the dress was black and red print.

[JayeLefaye]

I wish I knew how to cut & paste or something...The best I can do is copy and paste as I try to respond.


I enjoy commenting on posts, to provide support and insight... And if everyone did this in the supportive way that YOU do, then Isha would be SO proud of you!!


Today I got to wondering if the forum and all it's support, can be a wee bit addictive....Yes it can, especially if you've just discovered it, and finally feel "connected".


I REALLY REALLY enjoy posting pictures of myself (I have not been able to figure out the WHY part)...We all want to feel pretty, and it's WAY better to post the pic here than somewhere on Craigslist.


I sometimes enjoy starting new threads to see how they develop and learn more about myself and others (that way I stay on-topic)... Believe you me Hon, I keep a running tally of "views" of "You might be a crossdresser if"...


Final thought...

This site is a Safe Haven for everyone to find their "balance"...'Nough said Jaye, go start dinner a cookin'...Balance....

Jaye

[Marcelle]

Hi Wendy,

I believe for the most part that it is not so much addictive but more akin to what Debbie was talking about . . . cathartic. For a lot of folks who water here, this is the only place where they can come to share their stories, ask advice, garner support or just read about others who share a similar bent. It doesn't mean the pink fog can't set it from time to time due to the forum. For example a lot of folks are on the cusp of presenting publically for the first time so they post pictures and ask will they pass, they post threads about whether they should go out . . . does all the support lead to a premature launching of sorts? Possible but then again if you are ready you are ready.

We always talk about "pink fog" like it is a bad thing and I suppose you are becoming so engrossed that your are neglecting your life then yes a dose of reality is probably good and I find for the most part this forum does balance that and helps point folks back to the even keel.

Hugs

Isha

[sometimes_miss]

Can the forum be a "pink fog" in and of itself?
Of course it is. This is a place where we are considered normal by everyone else here (well, for the most part, anyway). So we get a sustained delusion that everyone else on earth feels the same way.

[MsVal]

Can this forum contribute to the Pink Fog? Well, yes, but it's a qualified yes.

If this forum did not exist, if the people that come here did not have a place to learn, understand, discuss, and even celebrate their gender, there would probably be no pink fog at all.

Prior to finding this forum I felt like a disgusting outsider. I was ashamed of myself for having these thoughts, and felt weak for my inability to stop them. Speaking for myself, it is wonderfully relieving and satisfying to have this place to go where I can be accepted, not rejected. I know now that the problems and feelings I have are shared by others. We can talk openly about our shared condition without fear of condemnation.

It seems obvious that I would be drawn to this forum, would want to learn more, share more, and enjoy the companionship of like minded people. Of course I enjoy coming here.

Pink Fog? Perhaps. More likely just an enthusiastic and thankful member.

[Simone's Lil' Sis]

When POS husband (?) was still here in my house, he (I refuse to give him ANY respect and call him a SHE as I never got respected as his wife) - he would be on cd.com (or Porn sites) from the time he got home from work til he went to bed. So-the answer is a resounding YES.

[Krististeph]

Anything enjoyable can be addictive. And i'm sure that addiction happens here, partly because talking about crossdressing, (much less doing it) is a rather non-mainstream activity...

I post here to follow others and there thoughts, share ideas, ask quite a few questions, and occasionally just socialize. I've posted pix, - i'm not too worried about being outed- if i'm ever blackmailed, i feel sorry for the blackmailer. Hey, i crossdress, so f-ing what? When i work i do not crossdress- i keep the lectures focused on the subject at hand. Nor do I tolerate bullying. I'm sure many of my co-workers would be stunned (or maybe not... they are not idiots after all), there would be a few who might act like idiots, but they tend to leave anyway. As long as I maintain a rational decorum at work, the way I dress and the way i act, nobody is going to care. I certainly would not.

This is a great place to express parts of our femininity, perhaps it is a bit of an addiction. Then again, so is air.

I was quite happy when i hit 1000 posts. Then i see so many people with twice, thrice, and even ten times my posts- and i love it- i get to feel like a "kid" again, in a manner of speaking, being relatively new still!

This is just a fun place to chat, and get honest answers from people without being attacked. It is very consistent, and that is of value in its own right.