Reminder from the admin team "Off topic"

Hi everyone,

I hope you are all keeping wrapped up warm as the weather gets icy. 🌨️🥶 I know I am bundled up in many layers!

As we move closer and closer to the holidays it is great to see so many of our community members spreading seasonal cheer and sharing beautiful photographs, memories and general merriment. 🎄🔔☃️

We do not discourage this but would like to gently remind everyone that many come to this forum to discuss the ins and outs of living with RA and JIA, who may find it difficult to find relevant content with lots of "off topic posts".

This is why we ask that everyone posting unrelated content please state "Off topic" in their post titles so that anyone looking for health specific content can skim past.

Please and thank you!

Wishing you ALL the best this winter,

NRAS Admin team

[Green230461]

My last off topic- today suitably reprimanded !However I do feel that people in our position, often isolated and alone need to have an outlet where we can laugh, cry and discuss our pain too. Life is more than pain ,drugs and hospital appointments. It is about the sum-total of our shared experiences.

[Mmrr in reply to Green230461]

I actually find it difficult to distinguish between topics that are off topic and those that aren't.

If you accept that everyone has SPIES....spiritual , physical, intellectual, emotional and social needs (arguably more heightened for those with chronic illnesses) then writing about our pets, family occasions, nature....the list goes on....fulfills many of these needs. Perhaps photos of Christmas decorations, the very seasonal weather approaching Christmas and the spirituality these bring is on topic ?

Christmas can be a very lonely time for some people, the spiritual type posts can provide a lifeline for some people.

Due to ill health I was not intending to decorate my large house plant in lieu of a Christmas Tree this year, but sylvi's posts inspired me to get on with it. I was going to post a photo of it later, to perhaps cheer up and inspire others in a similar frame of mind to me.

[Green230461 in reply to Mmrr]

what a wonderful ,inspirational and honest post. We all need SPIES in our lives. 🎄So glad you have decorated your plantytree

[Mmrr in reply to Green230461]

What is more on topic than singing and songs ? The health benefits are immense, which are well researched and documented by medical and psychological researchers alike.

At this time of year particularly, the spirituality of Christmas songs is immense both for those who follow organised religions or those who acknowledge the cultural and historical aspects of Christmas; the physical effort is good for the lungs; the intellectual stimulation of remembering words / titles to be welcomed; the emotions whether happy or sad can bring about a welcome release; and the social aspects of engaging online reduces a feeling of being alone, rather it brings about a feeling of being part of a community.

Goodness I feel as if I'm back in the classroom again with the introduction to childcare students. I would give them a topic and set them a task to find the SPIES within the topic which enabled good childhood development 🤶🎄❄🛷🦌☃️🎅 .... hohoho.

[Stayloose in reply to Mmrr]

Absolutely! The warmth and friendliness on this site, between participants and always extended to newcomers, is surely as important as RA specific issues.

[Mmrr in reply to Stayloose]

I live alone and really feel part of the RA community of people who have similuar experiences and understand what it is like to live with difficult to control RA. It's not just about meds.

[Neonkittie17 in reply to Mmrr]

That is something not everyone realises about some people being on their own so thank you for making that point. 💗

[Neonkittie17 in reply to Mmrr]

I’d love to see your photo please. 💗(off topic’d!)

[sylvi in reply to Mmrr]

Thank you for saying i inspired you to deck your house plant i am sure t will look festive and i and others will look forward to you posting it darling. xxxx

[Mmrr in reply to sylvi]

I will sylvi

[MadBunny in reply to Green230461]

Your 'off topics' have been most welcome.I haven't been feeling good for ages and am now stuck indoors due to the heavy snow, so have really appreciated the distraction of your Christmas song posts🤗

[Green230461 in reply to MadBunny]

Thank you,MadBunny. I hope that you gain health strength and happiness as important gifts this year. 🎄

[MadBunny in reply to Green230461]

Thank you for your kind wishes 🤗

[Neonkittie17 in reply to MadBunny]

Huge hugs to you, MB 💗

[Fruitandnutcase]

I can see the point of labelling posts Off Topic if they are but I have no objection to the unmarked odd ‘off topic’ post either for Christmas or at other times of the year. I think Mrrr’s reminder of SPIES is a good one.

For the greater part of the year the majority of posts on here here provide valuable information but often they also just raise our spirits and that often hits a spot too.

I’m loving Green’s 12 Days of Christmas - I’ve not taken part in too many this year because I always seem to be up too late in the mornings and all my ideas have already been claimed by the time I get online but I love looking at them and I think Green is so clever to do them.

[Mmrr in reply to Fruitandnutcase]

I'm with you.

Maybe it is the way we explain our possible 'off topic 'posts ?

So rather than just posting a photo of the snow, if it were described as bringing a lot of joy and spirituality, and the seeing the snow and taking photos has been a real boost to some. RA can take away a lot from us, but it doesn't take away appreciation of nature, even if it is from the window ? Look out your window folks ❄☃️.

I love hearing people's stories in the face of adversity, the drive to be positive is infectious.

[Amnesiac3637]

Many thanks, Hannah, to you and the the rest of the NRAS team for the help, information and moderation over the past year. Wishing you all a very happy, healthy and peaceful Christmas and a great New Year!

[hatshepsut]

Think, Hannah, that you should read these posts, and realise that we all try to be whole people, and not be identified only by our disease.I actually think that the joyous notes struck by some of these ' off topic' posts do more to lift our spirits than always dwelling on our problems.

Please leave us be, this is a great community, which is only too ready to offer help and support when needed or asked for. A little fun only adds to our mutual compassion

[bpeal1 in reply to hatshepsut]

In the past there have been members who get upset about the amount of non-inflammatory arthritis posts. As Hannah said they are not discouraging these posts simply asking people to label them “off topic” so people who don’t want to read that type of post can easily scroll on past. Personally I think this is a sensible compromise for both groups of members.

[Neonkittie17 in reply to bpeal1]

Agree! I love the off topics but see both sides of someone being frustrated too, and I agree admins are needed as others have said. I’m an admin on two non health sites and calm, rational, considerate people are needed to be a voice of reason at times as not everyone is a pleasant or reasonable person, which is sad but happens. 💗

[Fruitandnutcase in reply to Neonkittie17]

I know what you mean - I used to use that Neighbourhood website, some of it was quite useful until gradually it got too political and there was some old guy who used to post the most stupid jokes.

I’ve got a reasonable sense of humour but after his third awful joke and a load of political comments I decided I’d had enough. FOMO wasn’t enough to make me stay.

So yes, I can see where Hannah is coming from. We don’t want new people to see our lighter side and get the wrong impression of us.

[Neonkittie17 in reply to Fruitandnutcase]

Oh that sounds like a place to avoid ... always! Some people just join groups to cause chaos and it’s sad as they are probably lonely but they don’t know how to always behave. 😢 x

[Runrig01 in reply to bpeal1]

I agree completely, we have to respect everyone on the forums feelings re posts. Hannah isn’t discouraging, mearly asking to highlight the post is “off topic”. Much as I enjoy reading them, there are days when I’m in a rush, and just want to read selected posts. There is definitely still a need for admins on this site, and her point is a good one. I don’t really understand people taking objection, it’s just a request to add 2 words to your subject heading, and it allows those who don’t want to see posts that are not about RA to scroll past. Hoping everyone is not struggling with the colder weather. 🤗

[Neonkittie17 in reply to Runrig01]

👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 💗

[KittyJ in reply to hatshepsut]

you should re-read what Hannah said as she’s not saying that at all. The admins shouldn’t leave us be as it’s not always just a little fun. Someone needs to oversee what goes on as past posts have shown.

[Hidden]

Happy Christmas Hannah and co. 🎄🥂🎁

[barbieg]

Hannah was just politely reminding us to use the Off Topic header. I personally love reading the Off Topic ones , especially at this time of year but appreciate not everyone does. It’s just a good compromise for those who don’t wish to read them, they can happily scroll on by.

[Hidden]

I like when personalities come through, especially good to hear how people are coping and have a wee rant at misconceptions in society. Of course others want quick info/advice... I understand the reason behind the heading - makes sense . 💝 ☃️