If you followed me a few months ago you might remember a post where I talked about deleting Facebook!
Important note – this was pre “#deleteFacebook” and all the information about Cambridge Analytica and improper sharing of people’s information, etc. So as weird as all this revelation about specific data was – and I did want to get away from some of the tracking – deleting Facebook was more a way to remove junk from my everyday routine.
After not having Facebook for months now, I can say that I DON’T MISS IT AT ALL.
That’s right, I haven’t experienced any regret. I don’t wish I had it. I don’t open my phone and wish I could scroll my newsfeed.
I don’t miss the endless videos, random posts about what someone made for dinner or political rants.
I don’t miss seeing posts from people that I couldn’t remember how I knew them, or if I even knew them at all!
The biggest concern I felt – and what I’ve heard from others considering it – is that you might feel disconnected without Facebook. That honestly hasn’t been my experience! Not having Facebook has encouraged me to reach out to people INDIVIDUALLY instead of assuming that I know what’s happening in their life because they posted a meme.
Also, I’ve been reading a lot of literature lately about how younger generations are more disconnected and lonely than older generations. It’s funny – we claim to be so connected through social media, but apparently we aren’t. We are more lonely than ever and can be say that social media is to blame? Maybe. We feel like we’re connected but really you aren’t – having an online relationship isn’t the same as direct communication. Nothing can replace shared memories and experiences, and social media might have made us forget that.
I know that deleting Facebook probably seems extreme to people and it won’t become popular. So I’m not going to encourage you to delete your account (unless you’ve thought about it, then you should do it!). What I am going to do is say that you should reach out to people outside of social media – call, text, or even meet up in person. Have a friend you want to say hi to? Send them a text! (Also don’t you remember when texting was SO exciting and fun??)
Facebook – and social media in general – has really taken over our social lives. Things “don’t happen” unless a picture is posted to Facebook or Instagram. And as much as I love sharing – really, I do! – sometimes we have to take things offline and spend time with our friends in person.
So if you see me call, text, or email – it’s not an emergency and I’m just trying to connect with everyone in my life!
