I've spent the better part of a year feeling extremely torn about staying on Facebook. It's been hard to consider what it'd be like staying in contact with the people I care about without Facebook as a crutch. But there's so much out there showing that Facebook has and continues to profit from basically tearing our society to bits. From the genocide in Myanmar incited via Facebook posts, to all of the election meddling in the United States, to just all of the hate that they provide a happy platform to. This week, I've finally hit my limit.
I've decided to stick around for another week to get email addresses and phone numbers for people I care about, and as I get them, I'm setting reminders in my phone. Each month, I'll get a prompt to reach out to folks and say hello. If I'm busy, I can disregard it, but it'll make sure that I don't fall into habits where I don't contact the people I love. Honestly? I think that Facebook has allowed me to feel connected with people without actually being connected. It's a placebo for real and genuine connection.
One thing I've heard from folks upon making this choice public is that they'll miss seeing my travel photos. So though I've turned to this blog a number of times before with failed projects, I think I'm going to use this going forward as a place to share photos of the adventures I take. Over the next couple of weeks, I'll make my way through past trips, and going forward, this will be the home for all of my future adventure photos.
The other thing I hear regularly from folks as I prepare to leave is that they'd leave too, if they felt like they could. To these people, I encourage you to take baby steps. Find ways to replace the way you use Facebook. I think as you find ways to engage with reality and not with a corporation, you'll realize that you do not need a corporation to stay in contact with the people you love. Once you've found what works for you, you can pull away. It's just that the addiction wants you to believe that you can't leave. Don't listen to it. You're stronger than that.
I've decided to stick around for another week to get email addresses and phone numbers for people I care about, and as I get them, I'm setting reminders in my phone. Each month, I'll get a prompt to reach out to folks and say hello. If I'm busy, I can disregard it, but it'll make sure that I don't fall into habits where I don't contact the people I love. Honestly? I think that Facebook has allowed me to feel connected with people without actually being connected. It's a placebo for real and genuine connection.
One thing I've heard from folks upon making this choice public is that they'll miss seeing my travel photos. So though I've turned to this blog a number of times before with failed projects, I think I'm going to use this going forward as a place to share photos of the adventures I take. Over the next couple of weeks, I'll make my way through past trips, and going forward, this will be the home for all of my future adventure photos.
The other thing I hear regularly from folks as I prepare to leave is that they'd leave too, if they felt like they could. To these people, I encourage you to take baby steps. Find ways to replace the way you use Facebook. I think as you find ways to engage with reality and not with a corporation, you'll realize that you do not need a corporation to stay in contact with the people you love. Once you've found what works for you, you can pull away. It's just that the addiction wants you to believe that you can't leave. Don't listen to it. You're stronger than that.
Perfectly stated, Brooke. ❤️
ReplyDeleteThanks! <3
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