i kind of wish people understood that stalking (specifically cyberstalking, cause that's what i've dealt with) is not something that.. leaves you as soon as it stops. like it's a super traumatic thing and it'll stay with you for years after the fact, especially if you were dealing with something long term
the thing about stalking on the internet is that it's kind of impossible to ever know if it's over because it can be done entirely behind closed doors, but still have negative effects on you and your life. i never had any moment of confrontation about what i went through until just about the very end and i still knew it was happening because of everything happening around me. you kind of just have to live in fear for YEARS after the fact because you truly cannot know if those people are still watching you from the sidelines or if they might someday come back. the paranoia is absolutely maddening to deal with
trauma messes with your brain, stalking messes with your brain, you'll develop weird behaviors and patterns of thought out of a need to protect yourself. i'll give you an answer for why all the victims of stalking you see act so weird and funny or whatever: it's because that kind of constant anguish and paranoia kills you! people act irrationally when they're under extreme distress and duress!
just be kind to people. there is nothing that could possibly ever justify stalking anyone. not a single reason. and if someone who's had to deal with stalking constantly is acting weird it's literally easier for you to just ignore them or block them and move on! its so easy! you will be happier if you are simply just kind and considerate of what others are going through!!
