Second Life surprised me today

[charmlet]

Firstly, let me say I'm far from Ms. Popular on Second Life. Most of my SL friends I've made over the years have moved on to other platforms, and I'm mostly stuck on my own in this virtual world. I'm not super social, but I've been trying to escape my shell more and put myself out there. All was going well until recently when real-life decided to absolutely destroy me. Without going into much detail, depression has set in due to these events and I just feel a combination of both numb and too much. I know that doesn't make sense, but I don't know how else to describe it. I haven't stopped logging into Second Life, because at least this gives me a mild distraction of sorting my inventory or watching avatars and reading profiles. It's nothing but it's something to attempt to keep my mind from wandering.

I was doing just this at a favorite haunt when someone I wasn't friends with came up to me and began a conversation on local. I had seen them before but had never spoken, and apparently, they had seen me as well. They asked me what was going on and I shared some details with them. At some point, I mentioned how I'm just so tired and so very little in my future.

In the end, apparently, our conversation caught the attention of several completely random people on the sim, a couple who I've seen before. We all chilled out and had about a three-hour-long conversation about a lot of stuff but mainly about some aspects of our real life and mental health issues. It seemed everyone there could relate to one another in that regard. It felt nice to have people listen to me vent, and in turn, share their own experiences and advice with no pretense or expectation of receiving anything in return. I'm so used to Second Life being a sour place that when genuine humanity shines through I'm always pleased, but never has this level of kindness and understanding been shown to me before here.

I can't say this magick'd away my sadness or rl issues, but it made me feel good, and some of those words I'll try to hang onto when it gets really bleak.

Thank you, Second Life.

[Garnet Psaltery]

That was beautiful to read.  Will you be going there again or have a chance to catch up with any of them?

[Cinnamon Mistwood]

These truly are moments to treasure. I am really glad you found that. SL really has some beautiful people mixed in here and there and they tend to appear out of nowhere. ♥️  I have found connections like these a few times over the years.  Some people really are a blessing found when they are most needed.

 

 

 

 

[benchthis]

SL can be very lonely, seems unusual and unnatural to suggest embracing and welcoming it early on has it's benefits, absolute freedom for one. It's difficult stepping into a virtual world and wanting to keep freedom but give up some of it to be part of a group. Outsiders are being targeted in virtual and real life for being outsiders. Outsiders are important too. It's your life, learn what you wish to learn, when you wish to learn it. 

[Scylla Rhiadra]

This was a wonderful thing to read. Thank you.

Ultimately Second Life (like soylent green, except not) is people. And people are mostly pretty lovely. They, not high quality graphics and good FPS, are what keep me coming back.

[Love Zhaoying]

Friends can indeed be magic.

[charmlet]

11 hours ago, Garnet Psaltery said:

That was beautiful to read.  Will you be going there again or have a chance to catch up with any of them?

I ended up friending two of them! And I do think I'd gladly talk with the others if we were to happen upon each other.

[cunomar]

I remember when my SL was like that , have some fun then end up being a shoulder to cry on . Was often told by those who knew me best that i need to stop being everyone's counsellor but for me it gave some sort of worthwhile to the hours otherwise wasted in SL .

How times change huh