Monday, June 6, 2016

A Couple Weeks Ago ...

 

... I posted a status update on Facebook about the self-imposed social media break I had taken. That break itself wasn't long, just 5 short days. I had some things I needed to work out for my mental health and all the whining and arguments that happen over there on a daily basis was just getting out of control for me. So, I sent off a message to six people who I knew would be a little concerned if they didn't hear from me on a daily basis, letting them know I'd only be available via messenger. Then I logged off the computer and went about the business of calming my soul and finding my peace.

Once things had begun to right themselves and I was able to communicate once again, I went back to Facebook and posted this status:

"I have been mostly offline and away from Facebook since last Saturday. Out of the 240 people on my friend's list, SIX people checked in to see how I was managing.

SIX PEOPLE"

There were various comments letting me know how busy people were and that they aren't always on facebook. Ya know the typical responses that always seem to let you know they are still there, just not ... there.

But, every single person missed the entire point of that status update. I wasn't whining and feeling bad because "I felt I'd been neglected". I was pissed because we ALL, myself included, do not take time out of our lives to check on any of those who we claim as friends when they go missing. We as a society have come to accept the "all about me, but I want you to think I care about you" lifestyle. I find this completely unacceptable.

Out of the 240 people on my friend's list, there are 32 profiles I have set to acquaintance and do not get their status updates in my newsfeed because I grew weary of the constant negative nasty they would post daily.  Those profiles are in a specific list that shows up on the left side of my screen and even though I do not always agree with the things they post, they are still important to me and I make a point to check on them a couple times a week. There is also a few random profiles that are no longer active for one reason or another, but I've not deleted those because I'm holding on to the hope they will return soon.

The point to all this rambling and erratic post is to let you all know, I WILL be making an effort to be more attentive to you and your needs and stop being selfish and all about me. I don't like that feeling, I don't want to spread it and I sure as hell don't want to be on the receiving end of it.