Dear lonedove:

I thought, incorrectly, that the “real life stories” in your second post sentence: “I always try to encourage those who post real feelings, real life stories on Facebook”- to include what you didn’t mean to include (relief).

Before Facebook, I found self help groups to be the place to express my authenticity. It was a safe place because there were observable rules: not to interrupt  a person’s share, not to “cross talk” and “using I/me/my statements (instead of “you) were two of the rules, as I remember.

The “hole” you mentioned, when not authentic- yes, a gaping, widening hole in my case, for many years, and the misery matched it. There is peace and mental health in being authentic, true to oneself.

I hope you post again if … this is authentic and helpful to you.

anita