Every so often a friend on Facebook announces that they're taking a break. It usually lasts for a month or at least they mean for it to last a month. Often they get back on well before that.
It usually happens because they've gotten upset at someone or people got upset at them and so they decide to step back and disengage from all social media.
I guess I understand the motivation for taking a break but I don't ever see that happening for me. Definitely I could spend less time on the Internet. It's a terrific time waster and there are many other things I could do but would I ever want to just walk away completely, even for a short amount of time? No.
I live hundreds of miles away from all the people that I love. Facebook has allowed me to stay in contact with so many friends and family around the country and the world. Why would I want to drop out and lose all contact for even a short amount of time? Would I want to miss out on a month's worth of birthdays, life events, big announcements and pictures just to make myself feel that I'm managing my time better? To me that's just like refusing to spend any time with all your friends just because you had a fight with one of them.
Right now I really need my Facebook/Pinterest/Instagram time to give me a few
Does that mean that I like or agree with every single thing my friends post? Heck no. I have "friends" that post some outrageous things (at least I think they're outrageous, they think they are brilliant and insightful) and it's probably only going to get worse as we get closer to the mid-term elections but I'm adult enough to ignore the things I don't agree with (usually) and if I do decide to wade in with my opinions, I understand that not everybody is going to agree with me and that I don't need to keep saying the same things over and over again. I made my point the first time but it's probably not going to change anybody's mind. It's ok that we have issues on which we don't agree. I don't need the world to be a carbon copy of me...although that sure would solve a lot of the world's problems. Just sayin'.
Oh well, that's just me and my 2 cents. I enjoy being connected to my family and friends and I wouldn't ever give that up just because we didn't all agree on every little thing. Y'all are stuck with me!
My thoughts, exactly
ReplyDeleteI had FB for a while a few years ago but it wasn't my thing! I actually do love seeing what people are eating tho, I usually end up feeling guilty that our meals aren't as healthy as theirs...oh well!
ReplyDeleteI have a FB account, but I don't use it. I've removed all my posts and photos, and I haven't gone on in months. Like Victoria, it's not my thing. I found that the nasty spirit permeating many of my friends' posts was bringing me down. Several friends are rabid in their political beliefs, and they always post controversial, debate-inducing updates. Back when I was growing up, we were taught that it wasn't polite to discuss politics or religion, but those rules no longer seem to apply, and I grew weary of the name-calling and nastiness that goes on so often.
ReplyDeleteBesides keeping myself controversy-free, I also limit my time online by being off FB. I keep up with people through email, and that works for me.
Have a wonderful day,
Patti