[mom2trips+1]

I am thinking of deactivating my facebook account. I like being "connected" to friends and especially family; however, most the time I just feel like their lives are better than mine. I end up just getting upset. Everyone seems happier, taking more vacations, more social events. I think it ends up making me feel like I really don't have many true friends since they all post social events I wasn't invited to. Thoughts?

[mommyto3furballs]

Not sure what to say but I feel the same way. But I always seem to keep going back. But at least I'm not nearly as obsessed with fb as before. Hope you figure out the right decision soon

Sent from my SM-G386W using Tapatalk

[touched by fire]

Just remember most everyone only shows you the side of themselves they want you to see on FB.

Much like what Bipolar people do every single day in real life.

I like social media and technology but I also hate it. Nobody calls anyone anymore. It's always txt's and FB interaction... and when we're actually face to face... we're still txt'ng someone else not currently standing there. I don't know the answer... but I can say I've sure felt like turning the switch off many many many times...

[gina_re]

Originally Posted by mom2trips+1

I am thinking of deactivating my facebook account. I like being "connected" to friends and especially family; however, most the time I just feel like their lives are better than mine. I end up just getting upset. Everyone seems happier, taking more vacations, more social events. I think it ends up making me feel like I really don't have many true friends since they all post social events I wasn't invited to. Thoughts?

I deactivated mine for these reasons. No regrets.

[Disorder7]

Usually I'm okay with FB. But it can be triggering.
It's like a high school popularity contest. It bothers me when I post something and no one "likes" it, but someone else posts something and they get 139 "likes". I don't even know 139 people.

So for me, sometimes it feels like being in high school all over again.

[venusss]

I lately use Facebook mostly for my activism. Even private stuff needs to fit with my image.

Do not. Befriended so many other activists that most of my feedback is not parties and vacations but handmade jewelry (done of charity sales) and horrid stories from Eastern fronts and complains about Putin. None of that makes me hate my life. And I am interested in vacations of my friends... because my friends are interesting people who go on interesting vacations. Most shallow people unfriended me gradually.

Originally Posted by mom2trips+1

I am thinking of deactivating my facebook account. I like being "connected" to friends and especially family; however, most the time I just feel like their lives are better than mine. I end up just getting upset. Everyone seems happier, taking more vacations, more social events. I think it ends up making me feel like I really don't have many true friends since they all post social events I wasn't invited to. Thoughts?

Regarding your end... If something upsets you to no good ends, walk away. There's enough of that IRL to deal with, right? Why choose more of it?

Regarding their end... People put on a show. There's a lot of b.s.. They only put the shiny parts. They embellish, exaggerate, and even make stuff up. FB's format easily lends itself to being a showcase for those behaviors. It's all about "spin". Not a good gauge of reality. It's all to easy to get caught up emotionally and forget that.

Personally, I'm not on it. Tried it. Didn't suit me. Walked away and no regrets. I've got more interesting ways to waste my time, lol.

Bottom line is to do what is right for YOU. If it's upsetting you, walk away. You can take a break, assess the pros and cons for your situation. Are the problems a matter of tightening down some settings, or limiting time spent there or avoiding it in certain mood states? Maybe it's just overall not a good format for you. That's perfectly legitimate. It seems like a lot of people feel like they "have" to be on it, even if it is detrimental to them(!) You can always go back if you want.

Only you can determine what role, if any, you allow it to play in your life.

[mom2trips+1]

Thanks Innerzone. That is really good advice. I think I may delete my account. It brings more sadness and emotional instability than it does happiness. Therefore, why stay on it? I can always go back on it, if I decide.

[loophole]

Foe for sure

Sent from my iPhone 6 plus using Tapatalk

I love FB and love to see what is going on in the lives of my family and friends. It is a great way for us to stay in touch since we are spread across the country.

I am more bothered by the links to political-type articles, etc., but I've discovered a great way to keep that kind of thing mostly off my FB page: Facebook Purity is a great extension you can use on your computer to customize FB (doesn't work on tablets or phones).

You have to know yourself and do what is best for yourself. I want my FB page to only be exchanges between friends and family without all the drama of news links, etc., so I've set it up to work that way for me. I want it to be positive and uplifting, and it works very much that way for me. If it is bringing you down, then perhaps you are better off not using FB. Know thyself.

[Arwen_78]

Originally Posted by mom2trips+1

I am thinking of deactivating my facebook account. I like being "connected" to friends and especially family; however, most the time I just feel like their lives are better than mine. I end up just getting upset. Everyone seems happier, taking more vacations, more social events. I think it ends up making me feel like I really don't have many true friends since they all post social events I wasn't invited to. Thoughts?

I know the feeling(s) and have decided to move on from this jealously. I have a Facebook, I check at least once a day if not more if I'm lonely. Yet, over the last few years I have thought about deactivating it myself. Not because I feel that everyone else has a "better" life than I but because I don't feel like it's really keeping me connected to friend I no longer live near.

[~Christina]

I personally don't have problems with Faceook at all. I understand and accept that people are going to post the "Best happy fun time" on Facebook. I don't get jealous, I know these people like me have good stuff and bad stuff going on. I only post "happy" stuff on my page, I am certainly not going to post that I am on a ledge and thinking about jumping.

You can unfriend anyone or you can just click to hide posts by person XYZ.

If Facebook, social media or anything online is upsetting then by all means remove it from your life.. I have meet numerous people who have come to PC and just decided that PC triggered them and we have kept in contact in other ways.

You have control over who is on your Facebook or other social media. Maybe take a week or more break , just dont go there and see how it feels..

We have to take care of ourselves and its okay to unplug from something that is more harmful than helpful.

[Edgar's Mom]

I enjoy seeing pictures of my friends and families, seeing their vacations, new pets etc. My feed seems to be filled with abused animals because I've liked a couple of rescue pages, so I get bomarded with that from time to time. I'm trying to select the "this is not relevant" to see if some of that disappears.

The politics depress me, but I'm one of the worst at reposting things. My wall is politics, environment, cute animals. What I don't like is that most of my news feed is now stuff like this and I see very little of what my friends and family are doing. I must address that.

I also HATE the posts that say if this dying child or that gets a certain amount of likes or shares they will get an operation. BS posts like that numb people to real issues by bombarding them with so many false alarms that when the real thing comes along people are too cynical (me anyway) and skim past them.

Sometimes I go on Facebook and feel depressed. When that happens I find I stay away from it until I feel better. Lately, I come here instead. Much more interesting and positive stuff going on here :-)

[raspberrytorte]

It's kind of a foe for me. I don't go on my facebook page that often. And when I do I usually get annoyed and/or jealous because it seems like everyone else is having a great time, out partying and etc., and I'm just stuck working my *** off and never doing anything fun.

Also, sometimes the things people post annoy me. Like I live in the drunkest state in the US (WI), and everyone is always posting things related to drinking, or actually posting pictures of their drinks. It just... irritates me! So I *****ed out on facebook the other night and posted a picture of my cigarette pack, and then the next morning posted a picture of my coffee (lol!). People are always complaining about how they hate pictures of cute babies and kids and cats and stuff. I hate seeing pictures of alcoholic beverages. I also hate it when people post articles about how they just LOVE being single and not having a family. It's just... annoying. Facebook kind of pisses me off. That's why I hardly ever go on it. Lol!

[WithGrace]

Both for me. Way to stay in touch with family BUT also when manic it is noticeable & embarrassing. I deactivate, activate. Sigh. I try to pause when manic. Not easy 😆

[Sprite22]

I mostly use FB for my daughter...but have new friends now.

[BadWolfC]

I've never had a problem seeing other people share good things about their lives, it makes me happy for them and it helps me see that not everything in my life is bad. Now, when it comes to people posting questionable/ignorant stuff that I don't like to see, I just delete them. I have less than 40 FB friends, and I honestly think that's a good number. Any more and I wouldn't be able to deal with keeping track of everyone, and I've weeded out the people that post things which can upset me (which isn't a big deal because I didn't care about those people anyway). But I have always been someone who has a small circle of friends, I'm sure it's probably different for other people. If you feel the need to delete your account because it really is that stressful to you, then I say do it.

[boydisappearing]

I find it easier to talk to people online, so I'm addicted to facebook. That's how I stay in touch with friends who are busy and who I don't see very often.

[Hashi/bipolar mom]

I'm on FB regularly but I have a limited friend list since I share family stuff and pictures. Not just anyone can see my page. This is what I know (I think someone else mentioned it), people usually only post pictures and updates that are positive. I can't tell you how many friends, including my BFF that post these ridiculous over the top happy times. I for one know the truth. There is so much crap going on in their lives! It's like I always tell my son, there is something going on behind closed doors in most of the neighbors houses. I do have a few friends that tell it like it is and put a funny spin on it. I laugh so hard because I can so relate and because they are real. Saying all that, do what is best for you. xoxo