Missing Posts on my News Feed

IN THE KNOW  - OR NOT SO MUCH
Sadly, right now, my biggest connection to the outside world or to my family, friends and acquaintances has been through social media, more specifically, Facebook.

I keep joking that "if it's not on Facebook, I don't know about it". That's actually pretty much true, though, since I rarely get out of the house any more and visits or phone calls are rare.   The exception to that though, is that I am missing posts on my "News Feed".  So as "In the Know" as I try to be, some things just seem to slip through cracks in cyberspace.    

POSTS/POSTING
This is how I see the aspect of Posting.  Facebook IS a great way to keep up with what is going on with some people.  I love being able to see some photographs of what people are doing, etc.  I especially like to see my own kids and grandkids since we are all so spread out.  I also enjoy the occasional tribute.  I like to see what people have hand made.  I love to see the joy in their faces when they post of pic of themselves with a loved one at a special occasion.  OK, I admit it - I like to see crazy animal antics as well.  I also confess to an occasional participation in silly riddles - I've been guilty of doing that when I'm really bored and have no energy. 

Lately I've been really appreciating the comical meme's - as long as their positive, uplifting and clean.  Some of the motivational quote's are great for keeping up my spirits as well.  Inspirational messages are always welcome.  I also like getting different perspectives on current events (not that I keep up too much with anything right now as it tends to just bring me down).

Some people post rarely, some regularly, some occasionally, some daily.  I think there are different reasons and motivations for posting and the frequency with which they post.  And of course, that's what Facebook has evolved to - free speech, free expression. Some people seem to like to share their opinions, beliefs and ideas.  Then there is a small amount of people who, it seems, think that their existence is validated only if they give a play-by-play of their day complete with raw emotions - and then expect their Facebook Friends to "like" or "comment" on their posts to give them the moral support to be able to go on with their day.  It seems that some post as an outlet for stress.

"FRIENDS"  AND FRIENDS
I've found that there are some patterns of posting that drive me to the point of "unfriending" many people who I just don't have the capacity right now to spend any emotional energy on anything except for my recovery and my own family.  I may have offended a few when they realize it, but I just don't feel like it's doing me any good by getting emotionally drawn in to their stress, woes, drama and such.  And then I sit back and feel a little confounded by the fact that I even had over 500 "friends" to begin with!  What was I thinking when I accepted all of those friend requests?!?  (I got below 350 but it's growing again because I'm accepting friend requests due to a new family history organization association.  I've designated most of them "acquaintances" though and they do not appear in my News Feed).

I do like to "like" comments and posts - sometimes simply just to acknowledge to the person that I've seen them, but as ridiculous as it seems, it really is a slippery slope when it comes to meeting everyone's expectations and interpretations when it comes to commenting or "liking" something. 

It's been a roller coaster of emotions with this illness.  The lack of social contact is actually right up there with the Fatigue, Dizziness and all of the other physical ailments or challenges.  It's so weird and disconcerting going from a completely active lifestyle to a lifestyle wherein I have so little energy, my activity is limited to doctor office visits or an occasional, short trip to the grocery store.  Though I have had two pedicures in the last 9 months, I haven't felt up to getting a hair cut or color since April!  My roots are so grown out they are almost fashionable - as an "ombre" or "melt" color job!    

Sometimes I get on to Facebook and see photographs of all of the fun things that people are doing.  I'm truly happy for them.  I know that one of these days I'll be able to get out there and do those things as well, but in the meantime, life goes on and my friends have moved on as well.  I see photos on Facebook of them going to parties, weddings, skiing, bicycling, boating, church events, kayaking, going to sporting events, etc etc.  All without me.  I might have been in those pix along with them a year ago, but hey, Life has gone on.  Have they got so used to not having me along that they won't even think to invite me any more, even when I'm healthy again?  I'm wondering if it will be like moving into a new community all over again with trying to make new friends (or almost have to start all over) and strike up new interest groups.  Probably.  What a weird situation. 

MISSING POSTS ON MY NEWS FEED"
I do have a glitch on my Facebook account that I can't figure out.  And that is, I don't see everything that everyone posts in my News Feed.  I have "most recent" selected and I "refresh" periodically but still, there are some things that I know I miss as I see them embedded into other posts but when I search for them again in my News Feed, they're just not there.  Maybe I've been "unfriended", I've been blocked, I've been designated an "acquaintance" or maybe it's actually a Facebook software problem.

BUT, maybe that's not all bad.