It's disappointing to learn of your decision to umpublish and leave. But more frustrating and sad to learn that you're hurt and disappointed over something someone communicated to you. I'm very sorry that you've been hurt. I do hope you stay.

One has to do what one has to do. At one point in my life, I decided to make a clean break (well, almost -- I had to clean up loose ends) from a certain university and move a long ways away, after too many unpleasant confrontations and other unpleasantness there. One thing I also discovered, a good part of my buzzing, antsy feeling caused by the unpleasantness was chemistry gone off, and certain medicine helped considerably.

Another thing that helps, if one isn't too mentally paralyzed (or running in loops) to do it: action. Doing something about the problem. Overall, I think given a choice between action and medicine, I'd prefer action. But too much anxiety and fear paralyzes action.

when my paranoia meant I no longer felt welcome. I wouldn't, however, remove my stuff which is a larger body of work than anyone else'. We all have detractors, sometimes deservedly and other times not - but in the heat of the moment - rationale goes out the window and emotion takes over.

We can't be liked by everyone, nor expect it, nor will we like everyone, however enlightened we try to be. I have a 'nemesis' on this site who looks to put me down at every opportunity, but does it while appearing to be ever so reasonable. Sometimes I set myself up, I have strong opinions which I express. Sometimes they deserve knocking, sometimes not. My bête noir and I come from opposite ends of the gender spectrum, I'm a long term post op female, they're not and I don't believe they wish to be, which is fine, but any mention I make of cross dressers tends to be pounced upon if it's anything but positive.

I know that nasty people come in all shapes, types, genders and nationalities; my writing tries to reflect that. I also experiment with types of story, sometimes it doesn't always come off. Sometimes my comments also misfire, which is the reason I have a watcher who looks to attack me. I once made a comment on a story because it included two things, sex between underage protagonists and smoking by one or both of them, that I felt shouldn't be encouraged. I was PMed about my comment, thought again about it and withdrew the comment, though my thoughts about it hadn't changed, I disapprove of both things. I learned from it as well, my opponent however still feels a need to 'correct' me whenever they disagree. So far I haven't left the site, so if that's their objective, it's failed. I'm told that my writing is why one or two visit this place and I'd hate to take that from them.

It might be the case with you as well, Erica Jane, so try not to rise to the bait and take your bat and ball home, because that way they win. Stay and be a thorn in their side, like I do, just be careful what you say, if you say it with enough disguised reasonableness, you can get away with saying most things, my bête noir has.