I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: Life is fleeting, and my patience has its limits. I’ve stopped worrying about trivial matters like my children’s outfits or whether my go-to leggings are suitable for my age. If you ask about my home décor that’s not straight out of an HGTV showcase, I’ll give you a shrug that says I really don’t care. I’ve also let go of unnecessary stress, particularly when it comes to online interactions.
Well, almost. Because even though Facebook is rife with nonsense that often makes me feel like I need to suit up in protective gear just to log in, I just can’t let it go.
Let’s be real: there are days when a mere scroll through my feed can leave me needing a drink or a long shower. I sift through the endless stream of controversial posts, dubious news articles, and cringe-worthy likes from friends on questionable pages. And then there’s the eternal cycle of leaving groups dedicated to overpriced leggings or essential oils that claim to reverse aging, only to find myself re-added moments later.
Leave the group. Get a notification that I’m back in. Leave again. Repeat ad infinitum.
Sure, the humblebrags make me gag a little, the #soblessed posts trigger my eye-roll reflex, and I’ve become indifferent to vague posts about “big news” or “prayers needed” with no context. And don’t even get me started on the mountain of fake news—what the actual heck?
Fortunately, I have access to that magical button labeled “unfriend” or “unfollow.” Just like that, the toxic people vanish. If a sanctimonious mom starts with “I don’t mean to judge, but…” followed by a tirade against a fellow parent for feeding her kids snacks at the movies? Bye-bye. Those who make sexist or racist jokes? Deleted. (Seriously, how were we even connected?)
Every now and then, I feel the need for a digital detox to clear out the negativity. But still, I can’t let go of Facebook. Your memes crack me up, your secret groups are endless sources of distraction, and I have friends scattered all over the globe—even if I’ve never heard their voices.
Without Facebook, how would I see all those ridiculously cute holiday pictures or hilarious cat videos? How would I know you were up all night with a sick toddler, making me feel a bit better about my own sleepless night with my noisy spouse? How else would I learn about your new diet trend or take a quiz to see how well I remember 80s pop culture? (100%, thank you very much!)
Where else would I discover the latest on holiday ornaments shaped like vaginas or the arrival of Girl Scout Cookies in stores next year? These are vital updates.
Let’s face it: the world can often feel like a dark place. News broadcasts are filled with despair, bills are piling up, and my dogs have decided to make my living room their personal restroom again. If it weren’t for the uplifting news of a college friend’s new job or a video of my cousin’s daughter’s less-than-perfect piano recital, I might just lose hope in humanity.
In short, Facebook helps me keep my sanity intact.
It also keeps me in the loop, sparing me from becoming that out-of-touch suburban mom stereotype. When my son discovers a new tune from Fitz and the Tantrums, I can confidently share it on Facebook, appearing as the cool mom who’s in the know. If I’m confused about what a Hatchimal is, Facebook is there to inform me that I’m way behind and that they’re sold out everywhere, making me feel like a failure for not being on top of things sooner.
When I’m curious about parenting methods like time-outs or letting babies cry it out, Facebook offers me thousands of perspectives, more than I could ever need or comprehend.
And let’s not forget the joy of distraction it provides. When my kids are battling with toy swords and my husband calls to say he’ll be late, and we’ve just run out of both chocolate and wine… Forget the bubble bath; nothing says “escape” like a little aimless scrolling on Facebook.
So while I’m working on shedding the negativity and drama from my life, Facebook remains. Because when all else fails, there are always cat videos to brighten my day.
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Summary:
This article humorously reflects on the addictive nature of Facebook, highlighting the ups and downs of social media interactions. Despite the negativity and drama often found on the platform, the author acknowledges its value in keeping connected with friends, staying informed, and finding joy in everyday distractions.