An entire decade on the TMF!!!

[CuteJill143]

It just hit me that as of 12/5/15, I have been on the TMF for ten years! It feels like just yesterday I was a shy, timid 19 year old who had a hard time accepting all of this. I joined in 2005. It took me a year to talk to other members on the forum and on the internet. It look me two years to begin speaking with members on the phone. It took my 5 years to feel comfortable enough to go to munches and gatherings. If it wasn't for the TMF, I would not have ever been able to live any of my fantasies or to ever experience a session. I made many lasting friendships whether I have met them in person or not and I have also learned many lessons. I had the chance to learn that there are more like me and all different people from all different backgrounds all share this in common.

I have had a mix of positive, negative and neutral experiences but at the end of the day, what I have learned from being a part of this community is that you have to put yourself out there and be fully accepting of yourself to live the lifestyle. I felt so much guilt and shame for such a long time and being a member of this forum has helped me so much and many have given me such wonderful advice on how to look past the negative feelings. I went from someone who could not even talk about it on the phone to someone attending gatherings and socializing and even have gained the courage to explain it to very few, vanilla friends, boyfriends, etc. I don't shout it out from the roof top, but I have gained this sense of confidence about it over the years. This is part of my life and it is a part of me so I might as well accept it and love it.

We as humans are multifaceted, unique creatures and this lifestyle is something that makes myself as well as everyone else who we are. Being a part of this community has also taught me that things are not always what they seem or how they appear on the exterior. Someone might look vanilla on the outside but carry an array of secrets and live different lives behind closed doors. I have met college students, Doctors, Lawyers, Teachers, College Professors, Scientists, Nurses, healthcare workers, Moms, Dads, everyone from white collar workers to blue collar workers and beyond from all different cultures and backgrounds. I got to experience meeting so many people from all over. We have partied together, cried together, laughed together (no pun intended) cooked together and took road trips together.

If I could advise anyone new to the community and the lifestyle and to go back ten years and give advice to the 19 year old me, I would like to say that there will be many ups and downs until you learn to love and accept all of this. I would tell myself that it will get better and I will gain confidence through friendships and speaking to others who feel the same way about tickling.

I don't know where all of the time went but its been an awesome decade on the TMF and I know there will be more.

 

[Wally West]

Congratulations on 10 years on the TMF!!!

 

[PiedPiper]

Hadn't actually thought about it,..

Congratulations, first off.

This marks ten years for me, as well. It's been a reliable window of sorts,... perhaps one opening inward, instead of out. To the extent that we improve our lives simply by making things more interesting, the TMF has been a steady fixture. Here's to ten more.

 

[tickletherapist]

Great post! Almost a must read for everyone new to the forum. Congrats.

And thank you TMF!

 

[milagros317]

HAPPY TENTH ANNIVERSARY!!!! Enjoy celebrating it!

 

[robmic]

That's so great you have evolved since you discovered this place. I've been here a bit longer, but I am just as grateful for what I've found here as you are. Enjoy your experiences both here and in life when it comes to tickling!

 

[Coda]

Thank you so much for sharing that. I joined a little later than you after my own working-up of courage, so I've always appreciated the friendliness of people I meet here, and tried to congratulate others on their own similar bravery. It's lovely when people feel free to share their thoughts, fantasies and expressions of fascination here.

 

[daddy]

Happy tenth to ya!!!!!!!!

peace out,
daddy

 

[TickleUEmo]

First of all Jill, your TMF handle is all wrong: you're not cute, you're beautiful. I know, Cute Jill flows better than Beautiful Jill and sounds a lot less conceited, but just sayin' 🙂
Second of all, I'm so happy this forum has done so much for you. I wish I could have been one of those friends you've made over the last decade, but I was too busy hating myself (under different names) to be able to even begin to be a friend worthy of someone who sounds as awesome as you. What you said about accepting yourself and overcoming guilt and shame just took my breath away because for the first time in my life, I can truly appreciate where someone is coming from when they say that. This post is so beautiful I literally don't know where to start. Thank you so much for sharing that, you beautiful beautiful young woman! Take care.