Quote:
Originally Posted by subtle lights
Scrolling through Facebook gives me suicidal thoughts, really. I've always had issues with it, but lately I can't stand it. I know it's a fake representation of the lives of people, but I'm surprised by the strong reaction I have to posts and shares and stuff...
Now it's like a loud confirmation that "look, everyone is living their lives, doing something, being useful, engaging in stuff, while you do what? Nothing"
Also, the oversharing of beautiful stuff people create just reminds me that I am unable to create anything lately and regardless what I try I will give it up anyway because I can't stick to anything. I feel the disappointment I am to myself by not achieving what others have...
Almost every share I see posted by people is like a punch in the stomach for me. I should want to do at least something...
It feels like the "real world" that is reflected through Fb is something I cannot live in, it's not for me, it's too much, it's overwhelming, I feel like an alien...
|
While there may certainly people who only post the good about their lives on FB, I haven't found that to really be the case (may obviously depend on who you choose to FB with). I mean, on my FB page today, interspersed with the usual funny memes and videos and positive news, I also have one friend who is a year post-heart transplant who is again in the hospital dealing with recovery complications. Another posting about the lost of a young family member. Another posting about heading to another chemo treatment today.
I find the people I FB with to be pretty forthcoming about both the celebrations and struggles in their lives and those around them. Perhaps it is more about the fact that people can have some pretty horrible, stressful events going on in their lives and they are still functioning, still working, still remarkably able to stay positive about life even the the direst circumstances. I know when I was most depressed, I envied that ability in others. It seemed like everything about my life kept sending me into despair and I wasn't able to cope. It felt so unfair that others could be dealing with truly difficult things themselves and still manage to . . . well . . . manage.
If FB is a source of pain rather than pleasure for a person, they probably just need to engage in self-care and stop visiting FB for awhile or even permanently. I know plenty of people who choose not to FB for a variety of reasons. Some just aren't into that kind of social media. Some are rather public figures and they need to stay off social media for privacy and professional reasons. It is okay to not be on FB if it isn't your thing.