Support for Everyday People (SfEP)

SUPPORT for EVERYDAY PEOPLE
“Our focus is not having a focus.”

Is your partner being difficult? Are you having trouble making decisions? Do things just seem overwhelming? Or did you recently learn an interesting fact that you'd like to share? Let’s have a discussion!

If you are going through a stressful situation but think it’s not serious enough for a “regular” support group, welcome to SfEP.

My name is Rob and I'm dealing with various issues, such as Depression, co-dependency, probably ADHD (I haven't been tested), and a nervous system condition called hereditary spastic paraplegia, which causes me to move slowly and/or awkwardly and stumble on my words sometimes. I'm also neuro-divergent (meaning my brain works differently than “typical” people) and I over-think just about everything, which usually makes things interesting in a negative way.

I understand that people are not as open as me, but am letting you know that it’s OK if you want to be.

I haven’t been able to find the group I’ve been looking for, because my needs are varied and not “extreme” enough to warrant one. So I started SfEP, for myself and other everyday people who are going through *something*, regardless of what it exactly is.

Anybody can attend. It doesn't matter what you look like, how you believe, who you were/are, or which way you lean on any issue.

SfEP is for support, feedback, and discussion. Come to talk about what you’re dealing with and how you’re doing so, get out frustrations, and generally be around like-minded people.

This group is not part of another nor is it sponsored by anyone. It is for all of us, myself included. I am not a therapist nor licensed professional of any kind, but I have experience being in therapy and support groups.

This should not replace any organization, but add to a situation you already have. If you drink alcohol every day, go to AA. If you occasionally indulge too much, you probably belong here.

I am not a strict person, but here are some guidelines I would like everybody to follow:

*Let’s practice confidentiality. Anything that's said in the group should not leave it.
*We can discuss anything you share, but it’s understood that sometimes people just need to vent.
*Don't simply bring up something related to work, politics, or religion; tell us how a specific situation affected you and how you responded to it. This is not the place to rant about such issues. That's what going out with your friends is for.
*If you disagree with someone, create a dialogue instead of attacking the person. Also, don’t try to one-up anybody. Having issues is not a competition.
*Share as much or as little as you'd like. Or feel free to silently sit and observe. No one is ever required to speak.
*Respect whoever is talking. It takes a lot of courage to share personal things with people you just met, so don't interrupt. If you leave, wait until the person has concluded.
*Give as much of your name as you'd like or simply make one up if you'd rather not tell the group. We won't know!
*Feel free to curse, yell, speak other languages, or whatever else you need to do in order to feel comfortable.
*Dress however you'd like, but stay away from controversial slogans and imagery. If you question whether or not to wear something, just don't.
*Keep in mind some people might get upset if you bring up a delicate topic, like death. If you see that somebody is bothered, consider switching to another point. On the other side, if something triggers you, respectfully step away or shield yourself from it.
*Come once, to every meeting, or somewhere in between. Whatever works for you. Also, stay as long as you want.
*Sympathy = feeling bad for someone's situation without direct knowledge of it
example: a friend's pet died but you've never had one
Empathy = relating to someone's plight
example: having gone through break-ups, you help someone with theirs
*There will not be a hard stop at 9:00. If a meeting goes beyond that, so be it. Also, taking a break is optional and can be decided by the group.
*Be present- save texting for breaks or after the meeting and silence your phone while attending. You came for a reason.
*All of the above can be summed up with two words- BE RESPECTFUL of the people attending and the space in which we meet.

My goal with this group is to provide an outlet for people who feel that a “focused” group wouldn’t be right for them. Bottling things up inside is always an unhealthy idea, so I’m acknowledging that we all need to let them out.

The group is for practical discussion and not just venting.

I sincerely hope it helps.

~Rob

Meetings will start promptly at 7:30, so please arrive by 7:15. Lateness is disrespectful and very annoying.

Bonn Place will be closed to the public and for sales of any kind, so this group will be the only thing happening in it.

PARKING
Until something with the parking authority gets figured out, please respect their rules. There is metered parking on Mechanic Street, which goes until 9pm and is $1.50 per hour. Free parking is available two blocks away on Columbia Street. Do not park in the lots across Mechanic Street from Bonn, as they are permit-only.