You never know until you try it....
Part of the reason chat rooms and forums are so successful is the group support thing: connecting with people who have similar values, beliefs, morals, and opinions makes you feel like you're not alone. Even when you have different opinions, there is something that draws you together -- whether it's the thrill of the debate (check out those discussion in Protestant topic for some pretty exciting arguments, along with an insult or two!) or the security of common views.
I just joined a writing group on my island -- actually, I started it. One woman in particular has been unleashed by our meetings! She's finding her writing voice and exploring her talent, and her wriitng is already growing and morphing. It's pretty cool.
And I love the support aspect of it: talking about publishing experiences, writing challenges, and sharing great new books. It spurs me to write more, research more, and not give up. I also love hearing different styles and genres of writing, and learning what others are writing about. I keep forgetting to bring up the platform idea (it's vaguely related to shoes if you use your imagination), but I'm looking forward to hearing what my fellow writings think about it.
Whatever your passion or hobby is -- have you considered exploring it in a group? From infertility to reading, exercising to dealing with depression -- getting together with other people will at the very least give you something new to think about. Ideally, you'll find people with common goals and interests who can spur you on to be the best you can be and live life fully!
