I accepted a challenge a few days ago to stay off of Facebook for a week. My two dear friends left that oh, so social site a couple of weeks ago much to my dismay. I stayed on.
Why? I had to ask myself why as I listened to the reasons for the departure of my friends. Too much negativity, too much bullying, a platform for people to prove themselves to be smarter or better than others - all true from my own experience, too. Some reasons I stayed include:
- connection with my sister (we still message each other) and a couple of new found friends that I was just beginning to get to know (one I can see every day at work).
- connection with coworkers and people from other spheres in my life of which I am no longer a part.
- a way to see real news about topics that are important to me such as the pipeline issue in North Dakota.
- connection with distant relatives whom I've never met in the Cherokee nation (I rarely read any posts in those groups).
- a way to share my pictures and events in my life with friends (do they really care?).
- sharing articles that I find interesting (very few if any 'like' them).
- entertainment from the posts of 'friends' (cat memes, bunnies, and how awful the two candidates are).
All those sound good on the surface... but really? Really, I wanted others to validate me and feed that desire for drama that I tend to like. Actually, I never feel uplifted or like I really helped anyone. Just the opposite, in fact. I end up feeling like I have to 'like' things people post so they feel like someone cares. It really is very unsatisfactory and unedifying, unuplifting (that isn't a real word, but it works). The last year or so, it's gotten so charged with this election - very polarized with lots of heated comments. It's not discussion, just people getting angry or judging others for not agreeing with their opinion, sometimes downright rude. Some have shown themselves to be mean and very self-centered. The drama I once 'enjoyed' no longer fills any need or desire (why did it in the first place?). It's just plain sad and discouraging (there was a time when it was fun and uplifting).
So, here I am three days into withdrawl - yes, I feel the pull to go look.
How do I spend all that Facebook time now, you ask (I know, you didn't really ask)? So far, writing on this blog for one. Reading, relaxing, meditating. I'm sure I'll find more to fill the time.
I have a feeling this will have a happy ending. I'll keep you posted (if anyone even reads this! hahaha!).
**Update: For me, life is simpler and more wholesome without Facebook.
