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Yes, Quitting Facebook May Make You Happier
Yes, Quitting Facebook May Make You Happier
Sure, maybe Facebook puts you in a filter bubble and helped make Donald Trump president, but you and a billion other people dutifully sign on every single goddamn day. If you have a feeling that getting away from all those fruitless political arguments and insipid food videos would be healthy, I've got just the study for you.
nymag.com




I have dramatically cut back on how much I use it. I barely ever browse now - I only go on to either look at events or a specific post. Part of it was that I was getting bored of the constant barrage of "my life is so great" posts in between Minion memes, as well as knowing that I could be doing more productive things with my time than becoming a voyeur to other people's highly edited best bits.
The ability to unfollow people, but stay friends has been really helpful to the Facebook experience. Yes, it creates a bit of an echo chamber, but I don't really want Facebook to be more than that. I get plenty of real life discussion already.
I deleted my FB account a few years ago, and it was very freeing. It was only difficult for the first three or so days; then I felt nothing at all. For me, though, I was friends with people I didn't care about. I imagine it'd be harder for others who are closer to their FB friends.
Like you, I just got fed up with the constant vain selfies and "highlight reel" I was seeing--and of course, that's all you ever see--along with the occasional rude posts/memes, and then the obnoxious (and boring) posts about others' fitness, what they ate that day, and how cute/funny/smart their kids are.
My life is simpler now and, yes, I AM happier. The only downside is I receive MAYBE five Xmas cards each year now, but considering those are about as superficial as my FB interactions had been, it's not much of a downside.
I definitely recommend deleting FB to those who find themselves more stressed, angered, or saddened by it than happy. It's supposed to be fun, a fulfilling way of connecting with others you care about. If it's not this way for you, and especially if it's consuming too much of your time, get rid of it.
Understandable. Facebook can really mess with your perspective. While you experience your own life in full, mistakes and all, on Facebook all you see is other peoples highlights.
Not only do you see highlights, it exposes you to sides of people you wish you didn't know existed. Like an older guy I know who was so nice in person, likes and comments on provocative pictures of barely legal girls....
Didn't really need to know the dirty old man side of him.
How disgusting. That's the thing about FB--and some other social media--some people lose sense of boundaries and decorum, perhaps because, since they can't see their audience, they forget who's seeing all that they "like," post, comment on, etc. When we're actually in front of people, conversing in real life, we naturally filter and respect boundaries. (Functional people do, anyway.)
I quit four years ago, and it was such a wise decision.
I did too. Then I foolishly went back to open a community Buy Nothing group. I'm so glad I had imzy for contrast. The place is toxic, even when intentions are good. I lasted less than a year and dropped it again. Lesson learned.
Yeah I quit facebook a few years back. It's been so nice.
Done and not having FB in my life certainly has not made me less happy.
I dropped in July, not formally, but just stopped going when I realized I commented on other people's posts, but no one commented on mine. When I realized all the friendships were one-sided. I wanted to see if anyone came looking for me. I was surprised at who did, and who didn't. I haven't explained to those who did why I stopped, I didn't want to seem like I was looking for validation, or attention, but. Kind of that is what it was. People thought I left because I was tired of political news. And that I'd be back after the election. But I've not gone back yet. I will by Christmas, only to shut the account for good. People who want to know me have my email. That's enough.
Kim, RIGHT before I deleted my account, I made a quick statement that I was doing so in 24 hours and that if anyone wanted to stay in touch that my e-mail address was __. I left it at that. I did worry that it would seem like I was trying to get attention or start drama and debated about saying anything--you know, sometimes people leave FB in a big huff, and it's so annoying--however, I wanted to make sure my contact information was out there and also that no one was wondering where I'd suddenly gone. Anyway, it was REALLY interesting to see who out of my 100+ friends decided to stay in touch. It was exactly two. :*( This is yet another benefit to leaving FB: it shows you who your true friends are. :|
I haven't had a Facebook account in something like 10 years, and I have very little desire to -- I only hear people complain about it, and then back in they go. It's also really disturbing to watch people obsessively check on it.