Facebook

People have a tough time doing what they know needs to be done.

Congress won’t balance a budget. The federal government won’t secure our borders. Mainstream media won’t provide objective reporting.

Is it any wonder that the average American also has difficulties doing tough things? Our job is to build, work at, or create a better life. If each of us does that, whatever it looks like for every individual, we will together honor and strengthen our country.

But sometimes we won’t. And don’t. Even in small matters.

Recently, I celebrated a ten-year anniversary with Facebook.

Facebook hasn’t always made me happy during that time.

There are the usual grievances:

Too much scrolling time. The intention is to spend a few minutes with the app. But often, I’m still scrolling 20 or 30 minutes later. And that’s just with Facebook. Most also have YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, Twitter and LinkedIn. That sounds quite exhausting.

Too many ads popping up. I instruct Facebook, through account settings, to stop showing the most annoying ads. But for every ad you get rid of, Facebook has two or three new ones that it pushes on you.

Too many inappropriate posts. This one is subjective, but you know it when you see it because you find yourself thinking, “I wish I hadn’t looked at that.” 

Too many scammers trying to hack into accounts. Getting your Facebook account hacked is like hitting a deer with your car. It’s not if it will happen, but when. Danger is constantly lurking. 

Too much consistent failure trying to be present to hundreds of people. It’s just not feasible.

There are issues with Facebook. But it’s a social norm to be on social media, so you hang in there.

The flip side is that it’s fun to share part of your life with posts. And friends and family have warmed my heart over the years by tagging me with their shared photos and thoughts. They also made me laugh out loud at times with their photos, links and articles and thoughtfully challenged my thinking on some topics. (I know this to be true because I just saved 334 photos from my Facebook account to my smart phone. The collection is going to make a stunning Shutterfly memory book—my best of Facebook.)

If I were 20, 30 or 40 years old, I wouldn’t be giving this another thought. But there’s something about being 59. When there are fewer years ahead of you than behind you, you start to get a little protective of your time and how it’s spent.

For many people my age or any age, Facebook is a perfect way to spend their time and provides a ton of enjoyment. If it’s creating a better life for you, stick with it.

For me, though, it’s time to move on. I’m a “ten-year girl.” After about ten years, I tend to get bored with stuff and want to try something new.   

It would be a lot easier to just keep the account and carry on. And on and on and on. But I’m not Congress, the federal government, or the mainstream media. I think, reflect and act.  

Soon, I’ll be deactivating my Facebook account. I hope to see my family and friends in other places and spaces. I am on Snapchat and Twitter, although I don’t know if I can really say I’m “on” those platforms if I don’t actually send personal snaps or political tweets. I’m going to work on that.

See. That’s what’s exciting. Doing something new.

For ten years, I walked through the forest of Facebook. It hasn’t been enough of an enchanted wonderland to make me want to stay. It’s time to head for the clearing.

Peace out.