It's absolutely fine. The thing is, on forums, I'm nowhere near as anxious as I am "in person" if you will, and I have a lot more time to roll with the punches, muse over different points of view, that sort of thing. My posts can take a ridiculous amount of time to compose even for small stuff, and I'm just sick enough to enjoy that. This is where I'm comfortable with engaging with people - it comes from spending my kidhood in constant written communication with my grandmother. I like to write! This, to me, is the cheery gossip with the neighbour over the fence in the back garden. Yes, I said cheery. And shush! I even have my favourite posters here and they will never know who they are!
But I don't take it personally if no one remembers me, so don't feel like a jerk.Besides, you're right: though beyond the socialising with lots of people on a daily basis - even more people are making posts and threads of things which matter to them, having all these interactions, you can't really expect to remember everyone you post a few lines at or read some words from. You likely have a lot of things going on in your life, and it shouldn't all revolve around this place!
Some more on social anxiety from my PoV: I watched a TED talk not long ago, which particularly resonated with me. If you have a smidge of time, have a watch! You might find it useful: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JUedQ0_EGCQ
I personally found myself nodding so much, like "yep, yep...That's absolutely right." It reminded me of when I did music at university, and the lectures I could give to the class turned out to be some of the most unexpected fun I ever had on that course, given I thought I'd really hate being in front of everyone like that (I wasn't diagnosed at that point, mind, just thought I was rubbish, shy and worthless, because that's pretty much what I'd been told). Everyone had to give a lecture on a particular music genre, artist, movement. Just one little lecture. I think I was on my fourth by the time we didn't have to do any more, but I would have if they'd let me. I was voluntarily giving them, I'd dress up in the clothes of the era I was discussing and having a really great time just passing the information on in a fun way. I reckon I still could have a bit of natter on this stuff (anyone want to discuss 1960s Rolling Stones, or the Stone Roses and Madchester? Or a top 5 of Best Guitar Riffs for Break-Ups High Fidelity style? Why David Bowie was a music deity and we shall never see his like again? Failing that, I can do Beethoven. Or Mozart. Or Chopin! How music can tell a story (tone poems)? So... yeah).
Anyhoo, I love it when people like you start asking questions, heart-in-the-right-place style. Makes me think that humanity isn't completely screwed. Carry on, sir!![]()