Being Ignored and Why it Totally is Not Cool

I write this as a person who suffers from major depressive disorder and ptsd. Most of my issues stem from childhood and adolescence, big surprise right? I'm not all doom and gloom and in fact try to make the best of my situation in the following ways:

1. Exercise - specifically running!
2. Yoga
3. Art
4. I also have many other diverse and eclectic interests but that is another topic, another blog

Throughout my late teens, early to mid 20's, and now at the ripe old age of 29 I have noticed more and more people not having "time " for one another or just flat out ignoring you. ESPECIALLY when times are bad. Which is interesting to me because I try extra hard to be there for people when i know the times are tough. But I'm at the point now I am probably becoming like the people I'm talking about. I have just become a bit cynical and it's hard to keep trying.

Here are the facts - many people in my age category are settled into careers or even having kids! I do have a career but no kids. Don't want them (another blog, another time). So, when these people fall off the radar it's a bit more understanding.

Then you simply have those who think (and I have actually been told this )that their time is valuable and it's THEIR time, they don't have to be there for you if they don't want. Here's what i have to say to that:

• yes it is your time!
• however, if everyone had this specific attitude there would be no martin Martin Luther Kings, no Rosa Parks, or many many other heros of social justice that aren't jumping to mind right now.
• you come across as selfish

Now, sometimes it is hard to be the listener and be a "good friend ". If that's the case its better to let the person down gently. I had an individual a few years back who handled this well. She said words to the effect, "im not in a good place to be the kind of friend you need right now". That was okay. I was not hurt by that.

We also live in the age of insta-Communication. Making the argument you don't have time for a simple uplifting text harder to defend. Sometimes when I just get a simple "good morning hope you have a good day" it's like gold! When you know someone is struggling I think gestures such as this are nice and SO EASY! Unfortunately, I think as a society (to include me) we have all become a bit selfish, materialistic, and superficial. Sometimes a kind word or two helps another person to carry on.

I have also sadly noticed amongst the mental health community people comparing problems and issues - as to say who has it the worst. I think this is not a good thing to tangle with as EACH individuals problems are as significant to them as yours are to you. Who are you to decide who has the "heavier" burden? You aren't because no one has that sort of omnipotent power and if you think you do I suggest some serious re-examination of self. People who deem their problens "worse" than yours will ignore you. Not all people, but it happens.

To summarize, this is just a collection of my thoughts on why people ignore others. It's a reflective posting of me observing others over the course of many years through the scope of an individual with a mental illness.

Another common phenomenon of the day is friends are just flat out hard to obtain. So if you have one, or two, or five, hang on! That being said I look forward to making friends here in the steemian world. <3

PS - I don't take someone honestly forgetting to respond to me personally. This post isn't about that.