Time to take a break

[Flawedatdesign]

Well i haven't been here long but understand. I come here to vent and get a bit of support when needed. Add my 2 cents when I can. The fact that you feel then need to leave is understandable. I have done that with many of things that I am passionate about due to the trolls and the fact that everyone is afraid they are going to hurt someones feelings. If you cannot speak your mind and call it like you see it (civilly of course) it's just adding to the problem.

But I hope you come back after your break (may it be a short one) and can get back to posting and enjoying helping those that you do help.

 

[sonicbomb]

You only lose, when you stop trying to win.

 

[MoDmAnDaN]

Don't' give up yet!

I'm not sure if I've had the pleasure of chatting with you, but I do see your point...to a point. Yes there are a lot of people here now that think vaping is a fad and are rude about it. But there are also lots of folks here whom are very educated on the subject and love nothing more then to have a good conversation with other educated folks.

It seems to be a matter of finding the right conversations and ignoring the others. Not that I'm trying to brag or put the focus on me, but I have stage 4 cancer and don't have time to stress (not good for me anyways), so I ignore it too. I want conversations with people who want to learn and who I can learn from as well, so I'm sticking around for those.

 

[Robino1]

I have been an active member here for well over 4 years but it is time for me to take a break. It seems like more and more threads just upset me. We all seemed to be in this together when I first joined but over the past year it all seemed to have changed. I am seeing to many post made by to many folks that have been convinced that vaping is no better than smoking.

There are just to many here now that believe that we should refrain from vaping if smoking isn't allowed--even outdoors. Those that believe we are being rude if we even allow anyone to see us vape. Those that believe we should just go hide in a corner and be ashamed of this life saving journey we have taken. As far as I am concerned the ANTZ have just about won the battle and I am just plain tired of it. I will continue to vape but can no longer put myself through the stress of what this has become.

I am going to miss a lot of folks that I have met here but enough is enough.

I know how you are feeling. I truly do. I really don't want to see you leave What I have done in the past when things get to be too much at times, I spend more time in threads that don't touch on the subject. It helps me regroup. If we don't fight that mind set, that has carried over from our smoking days, who will?

I'm reminded of something that Kristin said, in the CASAA facebook page: Have the person try to change your mind about the stance you take. Sometimes that helps to see their point of view and sometimes that will make them see that maybe the way they are thinking could be modified.

It is So Damn Hard to keep fighting.

I do get it. I Really do. {{{{{ Hugs}}}}

 

[daviedog]

Wave your freak flag high.

Jimi Hendrix..

 

[Robino1]

Interesting read:

Being Heard: 6 Strategies for Getting Your Point Across

 

[herb]

Wait, what thread was that?

I must have missed it.
I always miss the good ones.





Wait, what thread was that?

I must have missed it.
I always miss the good ones.

Nahh, pretty sure you witnessed that thread , it was a God awful experience lol. You know those "diketone" related threads from hell.

 

[herb]

Mattiem , remember , it's perfectly normal behavior to wish death on a fellow forum member , nothing to be concerned or frightened about at all actually.

You just can't act upon it , you can think it though. Lets be honest , fellow forum members can be extremely annoying and we all know the "ignore button" just doesn't cut it , you want that person vaporized to never be seen or heard from again .

This is , despite what some shrinks claim, perfectly healthy normal human behavior .

 

[puffon]

A few things I've learned since being on the internet for 20 years:
1. Don't believe everything you read on the internet.
2. Everybody has their own opinions.
3. Don't let things on the internet bother you.........

 

[440BB]

The vaping culture has been demonized for the last few years to the point that even people who should know better are believing the lies. It makes the good news about vaping less of the conversation here than it used to be. Lives are being saved right and left while the pressure grows against us. I can understand wanting to avoid this ugliness and sometimes want to just stick to taking care of my family and vaping friends. Mattiem, I hope you keep up the good spirit of vaping until enough information makes it possible for all to see how much it has helped so many of us.

 

[OlderNDirt]

Just a suggestion for the "don't vape where you can't smoke" argument......

Keep in mind, some places are far more restrictive then others. How many here are aware that in the state of Iowa, smoking at rest stops along I-80 is prohibited? For some of us, if we "don't vape where you can't smoke" and don't vape around other human beings that may object even thinking they may be exposed, the only place we would have to vape is at home or hiding in an alley.

Maybe a better stance would be "don't vape where you can't smoke........without asking first." And since there isn't anybody at those Iowa rest areas to ask, I'll enjoy my vape while taking a break and take my chances.

 

[crxess]

No!
Who do we teach from seclusion?

 

[DC2]

I've learned that not every "confrontation" is worth fighting over and that many are, in fact, designed for me to lose from the onset.

So I take it you've been married for more than a few years...

 

[SteveS45]

A short while after I posted my last comment I walked past the No Smoking Within 15 Feet of Hospital Property Sign vaping away!

 

[Rickb119]

So I take it you've been married for more than a few years...

Was married for more than a few years.

That was one of the confrontations I walked away from.

 

[Zutankhamun]

Hi @mattiem Not sure if I've spoke with you directly but everyone on here has been so helpful for me. They answer the stupid questions I have one after another and have helped me loads. Stay active and keep fighting the good fight!

 

[DingerCPA]

Mattie - I understand your point of view. I have been on the forum for a couple of years now, and I've seen a disturbing trend toward negativity all the way around. Even some of my favorite threads have had some confrontational bursts. It's kinda like watching a train wreck.

I've taken to "ignoring" threads and members that cause me distress. I am truly sorry that you feel that you have to go. It's been members like you and other "veterans" who have answered my silly questions and offered sage advice to help me on MY vape journey.

Wishing you the best, whatever decision you make. Life is all about choices. I won't deny you the right to make your choice.

 

[pennysmalls]

I get you Matty, some of the things I read on here have me cringing so bad at times. The only thing that keeps me going when I get super frustrated is that this forum has grown so much, the population here is huge now and with that comes division because we can't all think alike. There are so many more members now that have a very negative vibe towards vaping and I just don't get it, I have to remind myself that this forum is like a little nation unto itself with all the politics that come with it.

The insinuations that get thrown out really throw me at times, like the most popular one that we pro-vaping vapers only comment or post on positives. Like we aren't capable of being open minded toward anything negative, like we have one track minds that travel just one path. The implication being that we're simpletons who just can't see past our own desires.

This happens with everything though. Politics, religion, social issues you name it. If you don't agree with them there must be something wrong with you, not them. Hold your head up and stand up for what you believe, that's all you can do really.

 

[r77r7r]

Mattie - I understand your point of view. I have been on the forum for a couple of years now, and I've seen a disturbing trend toward negativity all the way around. Even some of my favorite threads have had some confrontational bursts. It's kinda like watching a train wreck.

I've taken to "ignoring" threads and members that cause me distress. I am truly sorry that you feel that you have to go. It's been members like you and other "veterans" who have answered my silly questions and offered sage advice to help me on MY vape journey.

Wishing you the best, whatever decision you make. Life is all about choices. I won't deny you the right to make your choice.

Yeah, me too with the ignore button. Many, many threads there. Just a couple humans Sometimes me myself.

 

[haleysdadda]

I kind of like to vape right next to a sign that says no smoking...................

You would! LOL!