Unfortunately, my email address did change this time and now it will taunt me with messages, indicating I have notifications and unread messages. What?! After the third email indicating this, curiosity took over. I had to find out. Curiosity killed the cat. As anticipated it was nothing of any relevance. I did have several people express disappointment that I was leaving which was flattering, but I actually felt more contentment knowing that people actually read the stuff I post and find it somewhat interesting! Also so many people have confided in me that they too are addicted to social media. However, I've learned social media doesn't control you unless you let it. It isn't bad to log into Facebook at times. It is bad to have to look at it constantly throughout the day, wasting time that could be spent actually enjoying life. In fact, Facebook actually helped when the Snowpocalypse happened last month. When I was stranded in my office, Facebook helped me more than anything to determine what roads were safe to travel. So the moral of the story is I needed to pump the brakes on MY Facebooking, BUT it turns out I was the problem and not Facebook. Here are some suggestions (well some are pet peeves) to help social media NOT control your life.
- Delete the Facebook app from your phone. I still don't have the app on my phone. You don't need it. Plus, you won't look at it during boring meetings at work, while in traffic (don't act like you haven't), or any other opportunity throughout the day. Plus, you won't get those annoying notifications tempting you to check your Facebook.
- Swear Facebook off at work. Some employers ban it, smart move because if you have a job like me where you sit in an office you look at it too much. Has it increased my productivity at work? I don't know about that; I am a pretty good procrastinator.
- Resist the urge to share every Instagram picture you take with Facebook. (Guilty as charged!)
- If you do login only look at people you really care about, block people from your Newsfeed you don't. No one wants to see someone you randomly knew in college taking an elaborate European vacation, someone who comments on every stupid social issue, or your ex having so much fun in his new relationship.
- You don't have to read every single BuzzFeed. I secretly believe the devil made that site up to kill productivity.
- Resist the urge to like every single status you see. I never really did this, but I see some people that have liked every single status on my Newsfeed. WTF? You don't really like all that or either your the most optimistic person on the planet.
- Don't friend people you don't know. I mean when did Facebook become My Space? Sorry, I'm not going to add you as a friend just because we grew up in the same vicinity or because we have three mutual friends. I need to have actually met you in person to add you as a friend. I see people with 1000 friends on Facebook and I'm flabbergasted; I don't even know 1000 people.
- Stop wishing people Happy Birthday that you barely know. I have a test for you. Compare how many people call or text you on your birthday to your Facebook Newsfeed. Those are your real friends. You know the people that remember your birthday by memory not because the right side of your Facebook reminds you.
- For the love of everything good, stop posting close-up pictures of your engagement ring with the caption, "I said yes!" #petpeeve
- Last, but not least. If you are in a happy relationship with someone I, too, am happy for you. However, I have a small suggestion for you. Text them, call them, or just tell them in person about your feelings. Don't communicate your feelings over Facebook, that is unless you are 16 then this is acceptable. If you are over the age of 20 no one needs updates on your "soul mate".
Have a good day everyone and see ya on Facebook! (Just not as often.)
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