I recently put a tweet on Twitter that said that I wonder, if I disappeared, how long it would take anyone to notice. Okay, my Twitter following is teeny-tiny, but I’ve been trying to post there more in order to grow my social network, and it seems that I end up ‘hearting’ or responding to other’s posts but seldom get any indication that mine have been noticed at all.
My circle, away from social media, is even smaller than my circle on social media. I have just less than 100 followers on Facebook, but then again, I only follow people whose happenings and goings on are of interest to me. My followers on Twitter are easily less than 20. In real life? My “followers” – those with whom I’m engaged in meaningful contact with – are 2. I have more friends than that, for example, I consider my nail tech as a friend as well as a service provider, but we only are in contact outside of social media when I’m there getting serviced! My hairdresser doesn’t do ANY social media, so I have contact with her only when I’m there for a haircut. I adore my chiropractor but we have contact only at my appointments.
My brother, one of my two real-life “followers”, posts in his blog every day. I’d know immediately that something might be wrong if he went a day without a post. With my sporadic postings to my blog, he’d not necessarily equate not seeing a post with anything serious.
My bestie, my other real-life “follower”, hears from me two or three times a week via email, and I hear from her about once a week with a possible text now and again. We only live a mile apart, but she’s got a husband (who needs to be fully wrapped in bubble-wrap) who has somewhat consistent medical appointment demands, and a 25-hour/week job with our police department (administrative) and all of the other things in her normal life to deal with. If more than three days go by and she hasn’t heard from me, she’ll text me and email me both asking, “Are you okay?”
My upstairs neighbor, Jeri, will knock on my door if she hasn’t seen me out and about or at least that my car is parked in a different place in a couple of weeks.
I’ve chosen this more ‘loner’ lifestyle and honestly, I prefer it. I’m suddenly conscious that I often go out of my way to make sure others know I’m thinking of them. With nothing important to say, I can write paragraph after paragraph in an email to my brother or bestie. I use social media to let the people I know out in the cloud that I’m paying attention to them. I even send the occasional ‘no special reason’ greeting card in the mail! And I guess I feel invisible because I don’t get very much of that coming in my direction. Only I know how many times, in my career span, I’ve thought about sending myself flowers at work for my birthday or, heaven forbid, Valentine’s Day, just to show others that I was special and important to someone!
And I come back to something I acknowledged in a previous post about “giving most what you need to get in return”. Apparently, that’s still not working for me…
P.S. After my tweet, I got two responses, both from people I know from the same Twitch stream. Both were loving and kind; one made me feel better enough to get teary-eyed from the words.
Ramblings and Ruminations 
I count my real friends on one hand too. But I assure you that you are not invisible. You are hoping that by being caring, thoughtful, and kind, those qualities will come as easily for others as it does for you. But you are an extreme empath and an overtly giving soul. It may be hard to expect the same amount of thoughtfulness in return. I can’t help you understand or navigate social media. I am only on FB and that is just to post my blog entries. But I am not sure it is the best measure of your invisibility, and I know it is definitely not a measure of your worth! Love you tons!
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Thank you for once again coming to my rescue and reminding me that people can only give what they have to give, and grace comes with accepting that limitation instead of expecting more.
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I don’t know you IRL obviously but you sound like a truly lovely person. You are valuable. Don’t let your social media fool you. It really doesn’t mean anything. 💗
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I feel the same. Once I intentionally disappeared from Facebook for three or four months just to see if anyone noticed. By the end of that time, I got two private messages to see if everything was ok. With 572 “friends” that’s a .35% rate of concern. When I look around me these days, I think that seems about right. 😏
Before that I noticed that, in real life, I was always curious about the details of others’ life, always asking questions to better understand them, but was very rarely (if ever) queried about my own life. People love to talk about themselves.
But still, I think, what’s wrong with me? Why can’t I make or sustain friendships? Granted, I’m 55 now, so I understand it’s much more difficult at this age, especially for men. I put myself “out there” constantly, joining irl groups etc… I contact old acquaintances I once had common interests with (musicians, mostly) but nothing takes. I’m don’t pester people after a couple of attempts to form a friendship or just get together, so I don’t think I come off as irritating or needy. Whatever. I’m kinda done with it now.
The universe seems to want me to concentrate on myself, I guess. So here I am, (sorta) alone with my thoughts…🤷♂️
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We may have been twins separated at birth (or siblings, since I’m 9 years older than you). I related 100% to everything you said!
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Nice to know I’m not alone. : )
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Hi,
I absolutely understand what you are talking about. I am just lonely, single since ever and empty.
I love your picture, it says everything. I would like to ask you for your permission to use it as my profile photo in whatsapp. I do not want to steal it or copy that.
Sorry for bothering you and I wish you just all the best.
Best regards
Katy
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That photo, as are most of mine, is from Google images. It’s not mine to give permission for use of. I am an avid reader and use books as my escape from loneliness. I think I was just whining about how consciously I stay connected with people who matter to me so that they KNOW they matter, and how little they reach out to me so that I know I matter!
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Thank you for your reply, I do appreciate that you commented. I am so terribly alone not only in the virtual world but in the reality as well. I will take your advice and read books again. Thank you for being you.
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