Updated: Dec. 8, 2023
Originally Published: Dec. 6, 2023
I’ve made it clear time and again: life is fleeting, and I have a limited number of cares to spare. I’ve stopped worrying about trivial matters like what my children wear or whether my favorite yoga pants are suitable for my age. If you ask me about my home décor that resembles anything but a magazine spread, I’ll give you a nonchalant shrug. I’ve let go of fretting over nonsense, especially of the digital variety. Well, mostly. Because when it comes to Facebook, I find myself trapped in a cycle that I just can’t seem to break.
There are days when a few minutes spent scrolling through my feed feels like a workout, leaving me in dire need of a shower or a strong drink—or both. I have to navigate through a sea of inflammatory articles and misleading headlines while trying not to cringe as friends celebrate posts by dubious organizations. The daily routine involves leaving groups that promote overpriced leggings or essential oils that claim to reverse aging, only to find myself re-added moments later.
Leave group. Get notified of being added back. Leave again. Repeat.
Your well-intentioned humblebrags often make me feel a little nauseous, and those #soblessed posts make me roll my eyes so hard I almost lose my balance. I’ve become immune to vague posts about “exciting news” or “sending prayers” without any context whatsoever. And let’s not ignore the tidal wave of misinformation that floods my feed—seriously, what is happening here?
Thankfully, there’s a magical tool called “unfriend” or “unfollow.” Just like that, the drama and negativity disappear. If a sanctimonious parent starts with, “I don’t mean to judge, but…” and proceeds to do exactly that, I’m out. And those who share offensive jokes? Bye. (How did we even connect in the first place?)
Every now and then, I perform a digital detox to cleanse my feed of the negativity. Yet, despite all the chaos, I can’t quite let go of Facebook. Your memes crack me up, and those secret groups serve as an endless source of distraction. Plus, I get to keep in touch with friends near and far—even if I’ve never heard their voices.
Without Facebook, how would I see those irresistibly adorable holiday snapshots or laugh at hilarious cat videos? How would I know that you were up all night with a sick child, making my own sleepless nights with a snoring partner feel a bit more relatable? And where would I discover your latest diet obsession or take that quiz to test my knowledge of ’80s pop culture? (100%, thank you very much!)
Facebook also keeps me informed about crucial updates, like the latest trends in holiday ornaments or the anticipated arrival of Girl Scout Cookies. These are the bits of information I genuinely need.
Let’s be real: the world can feel overwhelmingly dark at times. The news seems like a never-ending list of tragedies, and my household chaos doesn’t help either. Bills pile up like a mountain, and my dogs seem determined to make the living room their personal restroom. If it weren’t for the uplifting news of a friend’s promotion or a ridiculous video of a family member’s child, I might just lose my faith in humanity.
In short, Facebook acts as a lifeline for my sanity. It helps me stay in the loop, ensuring I’m not that out-of-touch suburban mom. When my son discovers a new song by a trending artist, I can share it on Facebook and appear to be the cool mom who knows what’s hot. If I wonder what a Hatchimal is, Facebook will enlighten me—and remind me that they’re sold out everywhere, leaving me feeling a bit behind.
If I need to understand the pros and cons of methods like time-outs or crying it out, Facebook provides me with a wealth of perspectives—more than I could ever digest. And let’s not overlook the escape it offers. When my kids are revving up a plastic sword battle and my husband’s running late, and I realize we’ve run out of both chocolate and wine, a little mindless scrolling can be my ultimate getaway.
So while I’m busy cutting out the nonsense and drama from my life, Facebook remains untouched. Because when all else fails, there are always cat videos to brighten my day.
For more insights on home insemination and related topics, check out this post on home insemination kits. If you’re looking for authoritative information, visit Make a Mom for details on insemination kits. Additionally, Resolve is an excellent resource for pregnancy and family planning information.
In summary, Facebook is a mixed bag of chaos and connection, but it has become an essential part of my daily routine.