How many of you

It sounds like you've just described my life, annsixty! Maybe it's a common situation. What do others think?

Denise.

I started this thread and I must say a huge thanks to all who have posted and all have agreed that most of us keep it mostly to ourselves and what a big part of our lives GN plays.
It is not of course secret but something we like to keep for ourselves.
We support each other and say things which we would not want to share with friends and possibly family.
Thank you.

DH seems to be under the impression that we all sit round discussing how many cups of tea we've had today. I don't bother to disabuse him

Some things are best said here rather than to the family or friends I would say. We can get it out of our system here without doing any damage! It amazes me that nearly all of us humans basically have the same issues, so no one need feel alone.

If he wanted to know I'd tell him but he just says 'You're busy on that iPad again' and never asks what I'm doing.
I have posted a dilemma on here and had some really useful replies.

no point going then Menopaws

I was wary about meeting up with people, but I have made one very good local friend who I met in a crisis and that encouraged me to go to a couple of local meet-ups and I enjoyed them and it didn't affect how I post on GN

It's a bit like Tinder for oldies without the sex!

I've wondered that too Menopaws. I've seen that there have been a couple of meet ups not too far away from me but I haven't gone because I didn't recognise any of the names of members who were showing an interest in going. But you're right about the mental image you form about posters and I've often wondered if the image matches the actual person when you meet them.

How do people feel meeting up with other GNs in person? It sounds fun but I've never done it, don't you form an idea about someone and once you've met them, does that change for the better or worse? I'm intrigued

Granny buy, I so agree, It's only just dawned on me that GN is that infamous " Social Media! "
But it's good fun though and often a great help.

My husband would think it funny but I don't think he would be very interested in my online life, Gransnet or otherwise. He's a scientist so what can I say, now if I was corresponding with Prof, Stephen Hawking he might be interested.

I occasionally tell DH about something relevant or funny that I've read on a 'forum for grannies', but his PD has made him so self absorbed that he won't give it another thought. He's also not very into technology. He can just about use iplayer. DD2 knows about it, but not my username. I haven't told anybody else. Strangely, until I read some your comments just now, I'd never thought of it as being on social media. I've always thought that I didn't do social media.

I do tell the OH about some Gransnet threads of general interest but generally it is a ‘for me’ thing. I don’t have any friends to talk to so it is a lifeline.

That's a pity dogsmother that you don't feel connected. I felt that way at the beginning, then decided to take the bull by the horns. There are so many nice people on here. No-one is going to ridicule you.

Dogsmother it's fine just to read and add your bit now and again, as long as you get something out of it you are most welcome

I have generally a secret life here.
There is some right rubbish goes on but when someone wants advice or to chew over a dilemma you can usually find someone, with different points of view which can help.
And there can be someone to have a rant to when you are feeling upset. Which I seem to be doing a lot lately.

I first joined when my DD had just anounced she was pregnant and I was lurking for a while until DGS1 was born.
When I announced I was now properly a gran I was amazed at the greetings and congratulations etc. I had not expected that.
I thought well, these are all grans they know what we are doing what is there to make fuss about.
We do not seem to have many new grandchildren to celebrate on here for a long time now.

Gransnet is the ONLY social media I go on. It’s great and yes I definitely keep it secret!! We all need a little anonymity!

I do share, however I also feel like a huge outsider here too though as I post so sporadically, my posts being general comments and observations rather than committing to joining in. So I guess that’s why.
Perhaps I need to feel more connected ?

Yes, I do have a secret life on GN, although my daughter does know because I told her about a Meetup that was really good. She thought that was really good.
DH not sure if he has remembered or not. Probably not.

I share the really funny things or the things that have either made me change a preconceived idea, or shown me that there is at least another valid point of view.

I only share med DH and I don't tell him the few personal details other gransnetters tell.

DH knows I am on GN, I tell him some things, and he was amused by bits I read out to him back when the Olympics thread was going. He doesn’t know my username, but I doubt he’d bother looking anyway. He posts regularly on a musicians site, so is not bothered by me being on here. I haven’t told anyone else I’m on here though, so I guess that is my little secret.

Its not secret, but my dh has somehow worked out my nom de plume so hope its not as obvious to my children as i want to remain anonymous if i can.
I do spend too much time on here though, it is too addictive. Things which need doing dont get done and i need to try to limit time spent on the ipad.

My OH thinks that I know you all in person ! It doesn't help that when during one of our heated political discussions I may say something like "well, durhamjen agrees with me" or tell him how lemongrove made me laugh earlier

I'm glad that this thread came up . Only this morning I was beginning to think that I spent too much time on here , and maybe I should spend more time with ' real people '. But I say things on here that I wouldn't say anywhere else so it's a huge help , plus 2 ongoing threads this week have made me cry . I'm glad to be here reading everyone's stories - good and bad . I occasionaly tell work colleagues and family about them .