The Facebook "Seen" message gives me a lot of anxiety! When I see that the person has "seen" the message, but does not reply, I start thinking about all the possible reasons why they would 'ignore' me... Does anyone else feel this? If so, how do you cope?

Yeah . I can relate with each and every word . Same used to happen with me almost 3 years ago . Firstly I realised that this is what I am feeling , it doesn't decide who I am . Your feelings and thoughts doesn't define you are. Don't look away from your miserable thoughts (I believe that there is no such things as Negative thoughts. ) and at the same don't cling to them . This feeling that someone is "ignoring" you comes at that time when I was very uncertain , confused and harsh about myself. I always wanted validation from others to make me believe that I am lovable and likable . For this I cultivated new hobbies and habits (I never had any before !) like learning a new musical instrument , making craft etc .. I would suggest to give yourself a break from your daily routine and Travel . Talking to strangers and making a whole trip on your own will give you so much confidence about yourself . Don't be harsh on yourself .A validation from facebook doesn't mean that Universe is Validating you . :)))))))

With all of our new technology in what seems to be the "social age" in society, it is easy to feel anxious by seeing someone chose not to respond. I experience that quite frequently because I feel like I may have said the wrong thing or was weird, etc., but it is important to take a deep breath and understand that something else may have come up when they were planning to respond and it is in human nature to be forgetful. It sometimes is best to think of yourself in the other person shoe's, sometimes I will read a message and think I responded! It is quite odd how humans work.

This happens quite a lot I find in the unsocial world of social media. It becomes difficult to communicate by message. What ever happened to a quick phone call rather than a text or WhatsApp? I try not to worry about this. Sometimes people view messages quickly and simply mean to respond later when they have more time and simply forget. I’ve done it loads. I think that is a more realistic and less paranoid view point? I feel bad when I forget to respond and just get back to the person when I eventually remember. I hope this helps someone not to worry about it.

i delete the messenger app and tend to forget quickly. i feel the same way!! sending messages without getting a response in return, it's annoying sometimes but maybe it's good to leave the person some space sometimes... It also depends on the context of what you did too.. was it a risky message admitting your love to someone or was it a text to an old friend? Maybe they are busy with work, busy with school or just do not want to reply? Or even do not know how to reply?? Anyways, hope the person replies or you get less anxious with the seen feature :)

If a friend came to you with this exact concern, what would you say? If you've got the impulse to say: 'Maybe they're just busy - or saw it and got busy and moved on - or maybe they don't realize their replies mean a lot to you" be the same good friend to yourself and think about these possibilities. You clearly care about getting feedback and engagement. What do you think would happen if you started a convo on that exact topic? It's possible that about how much value or consideration others put on their responses. This is a great topic because, in digital spaces, our commutation - or lack of it! - doesn't always come across the way we want it to.

That 'seen' icon is a very ... iconic anxiety causer for lack of better words aha! I can totally understand that feeling. I think it's a matter of having the right perspective. It's very normal for us to immediately jump to 'why are they not replying' which often makes it worse. Something good to do is question yourself too. Ask yourself, why do I feel this way when someone doesn't reply to me? is there something I'm afraid of? Do I feel insecure? Thinking of the other person, remember that they're living their own life too. They have responsibilities and activities to do as well and they're not always going to be able to reply immediately. And sometimes, they may not want to right then and there, and they ahve that right to come back to it later. Everyone needs a 'time out' now and then. If it's something you feel comfortable doing, you can talk about how you feel and ask for reassurance from your friend so that you can have peace of mind.

I understand how you must feel. Sometime we expect others to reply at our speed and get annoyed when messages do not come to us at the right moment. It is key to wait, because sometime people have other things to do, or may need to think what to say. Not everyone is quick to reply. For many people, replying means they have to think what to say, and make sure they do not say anything bad through a text. Trying to not thing negative about waiting for the text or message is key. It makes a better conversation if both are not rushed.

This is just a thought! Your thoughts are not reality. When you find yourself overthinking try to do anything that relaxes you to take your mind off the lies you are telling yourself. Anything to stimulates your five senses works. Eat a favorite snack or food, working out is very stress relieving, taking a warm relaxing bubble bath with candles, and more. Or journal why you may be feeling this way. Get to the root of the problem! Maybe someone in the past has ignored you on purpose and that was WRONG of them but it doesnt mean it will happen again!

It could simply be that they don't have time at that exact moment, in which they will probably contact you later. They could also be shy, so when you sent something they might be overthinking what they should say so they don't sound stupid. It could also be that the message simply doesn't require an answer, in which, they just won't respond. I doubt they are purposely ignoring you. If you feel they are, just sit down and talk it out with them. I believe talking always helps. If they are purposely ignoring you, then it sounds like you need to talk to different people.

This is a really tough one because it can vary from people to people. I'm actually guilty of doing this as well but it really depends on what I am doing at that exact moment. We can divide this to three sections: they are busy with other relatively more important things (what i mean by this is their priorities), they are actually occupied, or the last one where you forget to reply. It's usually the first one where people think, "i'll reply to this later" or "I'm not in the mood yet". I would usually be very verbal with it. I'd avoid asking questions like "are you busy" or anything like that because I know i would only get a vague answer. Instead would say, "hey let me know when we can talk" or "It would be nice if you tell me if you've got something else to take care off." Also, I would try to understand that they have their lives to go on with and times when they are feeling off (this applies to even people who you think are so close to you, everyone needs a time off ). Just giving them the space and time, letting them reply on their own will when they want to would be what i would do, practically. That being said, I too wouldn't be able to not think about things. I hoped this help in somewhat way, and take care!