How much have you grown in the last three years?

@notnothing, I love how you described your depression in this post: "it felt like a black hole was literally inside my chest, sucking the life out of me"! That's almost EXACTLY what it feels like, can I use this?

HOLY FREAAAKIN BIG QUESTION. well 3 years ago i was in treatment for aaaall kinds of "fun" issues, and i didnt change much actually except for getting much much more mature and a way new perspective on my life.. the real major changes ive made have been in the last like 6 months though.. i literally feel (almost) like a fully new person aand ill still always have those battles and demons from my past that sneak up on me buuuut i feel soosososo good accomplishing them and my smaller every day things that are hard.. wow sorry for my half life story there ahahaha c;

Well done on your progress! That's a really huge thing. It can be so hard having the courage to be able to approach other people! This is still something that I am trying very hard to be able to teach myself to do.I'm really surprised and also very pleased with my progress over the years. My progress I'm discussing here is quiet different, but three years back I was hiding away in the corner, pretending to be straight, and absolutely miserable as I felt very trapped! It's been hard with a family who have their strong opinions and the way society views these things. Now I'm starting to slowly come out to everybody as gay, and being able to finally open up is the best feeling ever. Even if it's taking a lot of time and strength to do this, it's always good to remember that every little baby step you make is significant and really freaking awesome!

Well that's great progress :D
And I have grown quite a lot in these 3 years. Since 2009 I've been home a lot (couldn't drive at the time, no job, etc) and I'm still at home a lot unfortunately. But it has really forced me to be with myself and I have really grown as a person. I got over someone I was really in love with. I learned to drive and have had my license for a bit now--currently looking for a job.
My biggest change is spirituality and mental health. I'm an introvert and don't really like groups anyway but being away from people so long, with the exception of my parents, has made me realize I needed people more than I thought. I've also experienced depression, sometimes it felt like a black hole was literally inside my chest sucking the life out of me (I think those were the worst times.) Sometimes I felt nothing and/or felt like nothing. Sometimes I felt like dying or wish I was dead. It still comes every now and then but I have gotten much better. I have learnt so many things from so many people from being online and just listening to the stories they post or tell me, that has made me more empathic. I'm also a Christian now, I've always believed in a god but being like this have forced me to believe in something I feel is much stronger than me and I now I feel much more at peace with my situation. It was a trying time, but little did I know it definitely served purpose. I was confused about what did I want to do with my life when I do get out, but recently I discovered I have a need to create, so I'll call that my "passion."
The overall change has been great. I needed it more than I thought.