I'm triggered by seeing couples and engagement announcements. Where's my trigger warning?

@blindbob - I'm sorry for any upset. I do hope you can find a safe spot and you're not alone. 

@futureDeveloper and others: 

What is a trigger warning? A trigger warning (or 'tw') is a content advisory at the start of share that warns others in the room / environment that what follows may be distressing or triggering. These are necessary and prevalant across mental health platforms. 

For example, the use of a trigger warning might look like this:
User 1: (tw) pregnancy
User 2: (has opportunity to leave the room / not read the forum post)
User 1: (can share about pregnancy without upsetting anyone) 

What is being triggered? This is being exposed to something distressing that causes (or "triggers") invasive thoughts, panic attacks, and a variety of other possible ailments, depending on the person and the traumas they have endured.

It's a very serious topic. In this thread, @blindbob is asking (sorry blindbob, I am expanding and not trying to put words in your mouth!) "Is it possible for people to start adding a trigger warning (tw) before sharing about their engagements, because it is very distressing for some people to read about." Which is a reasonable question. Different people have different triggers, and that does deserve respect. It may be very difficult to meet everyone's needs, and implement new guidelines site-wide for what is considered a trigger, but we can do our best to be mindful.

For more information on Trigger Warnings and Trauma, please see our lovely Trauma Community here: https://www.7cups.com/forum/trauma/

@Themaninblackxxx Maybe he wasn't joking?

I get triggered by wedding pictures and engagement announcements on social media etc. as well. Also photos of people enjoying their lives and quality times with loved ones. Holidays are the worst. I'm already dreading Christmas and New Year that are here soon (I live in a country where they don't celebrate Thanksgiving so I'm safe next week at least... and give thanks to God for that). My only loved one is my cat. Just turned 40 this summer. On my birthday, I received three happy birthday-messages, that's all. No celebration, no presents, no one there with me except for my cat. That was one of the saddest days of my lives so far.

What I want to say is that for people like me, wedding announcements etc. can be so painful reminders of my loneliness that a trigger warning wouldn't be a joke at all. At least I'm not laughing.

On the other hand, what is triggering to most people isn't that for me. I'm not afraid to talk about dark topics such as suicidal ideation, self harm or such things. I've started to despise romantic movies and tv shows, just too triggering to me. I often prefer a documentary of dark topics such as religious cults, SA etc. these days. It makes me feel less lonely, like I'm not the only one suffering in this world. 

Maybe I'm twisted but that's just my life. My point is, we're all different, and that's not a joke.