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Post by yoursweetwhimsy on Oct 5, 2017 16:45:25 GMT
Do any of you just take a break or step away from social media periodically or regularly to clear your head?
The recent shooting, politics, etc have made social media a place that causes me stress lately instead of enjoyment. I feel like I've been particularly sensitive after the shooting in Vegas because my son is currently in the police academy which in itself has caused me anxiety but the news and people's comments have amped it up considerably.
I didn't realize how much my day revolved around it until I tried it for a couple of days. The place I volunteer for communicates through social media, family, breaking news alerts, etc. I feel like I need to step away and just shut it down for a couple days.
I would love to hear what you have done and how it works for you.
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scrappinspidey2
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,511
Location: In the Parlor with the Fly
Mar 18, 2015 19:19:37 GMT
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Post by scrappinspidey2 on Oct 5, 2017 16:47:39 GMT
I had to be off of it for 2 years. Yep you read that right. Initially it was very very hard and in fact I logged in on two separate occasions then had to shut it off again. Honestly Im seriously considering walking away from it again. Its amazing how much "noise" it creates in the day. I go through spurts where I Post a bunch and then Im off for a few days. the days Im not on seem to be more peaceful I will admit. However, I tend to post a lot when I get anxious doing things so in some ways it helps. It is a balancing act for sure if you are going to stay on it. I have also gotten rid of most of the people in my friends list who stress me out. Either I unfriend all together or I stop following them so I don't see their posts.
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Post by #notLauren on Oct 5, 2017 16:50:00 GMT
Yes. I do it once every couple of months. For just the reasons you state. It becomes a source of stress and not enjoyment.
I focus on my hobbies, my friends and my family.
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oh yvonne
Prolific Pea
Posts: 8,009
Jun 26, 2014 0:45:23 GMT
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Post by oh yvonne on Oct 5, 2017 17:35:51 GMT
I'm another who has to take breaks. I have friends and family who have very polar opposite opinions. For a while I had to unfollow tons of people so I could avoid the garbage they were posting.
Then I'd feel guilty because they'd 'like' one of my photos, and then I'd have to purposely go to their wall and 'like' some of their's. Got crazy.
Then I get paranoid I'll miss a birthday..and so it goes. It's more a source of stress lately. It was really freeing when I weaned myself off (right after the election). I was mostly off for months.
I'm sorta back on it again, with the worst offenders hidden from my feed.
Take a break, it's good for you.
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wellway
Prolific Pea
Posts: 8,785
Jun 25, 2014 20:50:09 GMT
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Post by wellway on Oct 5, 2017 17:39:18 GMT
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Post by mom on Oct 5, 2017 17:40:51 GMT
Definitely listen to your mind/body and if you think it could be a good thing for you, then I would listen.
I usually 'go quiet' every couple of months. I may look once a week or so (and grab any family photos that are shared, but then I lay low. No comments. No likes. FB is a serious time thief for me and I suspect I am due for a break as well.
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tduby1
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,979 
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Post by tduby1 on Oct 5, 2017 17:40:52 GMT
I have taken periodic breaks. I plan 3 weekend events per year (ranging from 8-65 people involved) in which fb is used for planning purposes. I *always have at least one, most of the time, two of these events being actively planned. So I do not deactivate my account. Instead I sign out, only signing in to post reminders, info etc on the event site. I DO NOT spend anytime on my page, just on those pages. Usually, I sign in once per day to see if anyone has posted questions etc and if there is nothing in my notifications I sign right back out. I do post my intentions of taking break on my main page, asking people not to tag me (unless for one of the events) or post things to my page until they see me posting again, this helps keep my notifications to only event notifications. Also, I post on the event pages about my break and ask people to send me messages in messenger if they need to get a hold of me. I tried to contact all event business in messenger but everyone seems to like a page they can refer to so that didn't work.
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tduby1
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,979
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Post by tduby1 on Oct 5, 2017 17:42:26 GMT
I'm another who has to take breaks. I have friends and family who have very polar opposite opinions. For a while I had to unfollow tons of people so I could avoid the garbage they were posting.
Then I'd feel guilty because they'd 'like' one of my photos, and then I'd have to purposely go to their wall and 'like' some of their's. Got crazy.
Then I get paranoid I'll miss a birthday..and so it goes. It's more a source of stress lately. It was really freeing when I weaned myself off (right after the election). I was mostly off for months. I'm sorta back on it again, with the worst offenders hidden from my feed. Take a break, it's good for you. This is EXACTLY the cycle I have with the people I put in fb time out! |
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oh yvonne
Prolific Pea
Posts: 8,009
Jun 26, 2014 0:45:23 GMT
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Post by oh yvonne on Oct 5, 2017 17:47:54 GMT
Yep! Isn't it so stressful! I hate it!
I mean, I love all the good things about FB, like seeing pics and such, and sharing a funny meme, but so much garbage trails along with it.
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Post by peasapie on Oct 5, 2017 17:50:03 GMT
I think it's a good idea for everyone to take a break now and then, either by shutting out social media completely or by limiting what you read. I do it whenever I feel overwhelmed.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Jun 1, 2024 19:51:51 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Oct 5, 2017 17:54:39 GMT
I don't have anyone on social media that stresses me out or anyone who is overly political. Facebook is a calm place with lots of pictures of cats/kittens and crochet projects, Instagram is the same but with added pics of fashion.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Jun 1, 2024 19:51:51 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Oct 5, 2017 18:01:30 GMT
If social media gives you stress then, yes, you should log off for awhile or permanently. To me, social media is like alcohol. Some people abstain and that is fine, some people handle it in a sliding scale of moderation without any negative repercussions and that is fine... others end up with it running and ruining their daily life. They'd be better off without it.
Figure out where you are on the use/abuse spectrum and make a decision that is prudent for YOU no matter if anyone else chooses the same. You don't have to explain to anyone why you spend time on social media... or not.
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breetheflea
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,943
Location: PNW
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Post by breetheflea on Oct 5, 2017 18:19:47 GMT
I am cutting down on my time on Facebook and try to avoid the news (except local news) whenever possible. It's just too much... I do have to go on there because it's the only way to keep in touch with some people/events, but sometimes it is so tempting to just delete my account.
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Post by lisacharlotte on Oct 5, 2017 18:45:37 GMT
I use social media, i don't allow it to use me. I scroll A LOT! Just like here, i avoid the political threads. I don't find them useful. I'm not changing anyone's mind and they aren't changing mine. Nobody is really looking for discussion, most are looking to validate their position or to toss bombs at the opposition. As with anything YMMV so do what makes you happy.
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Post by colleen on Oct 5, 2017 18:56:27 GMT
Although I enjoy Facebook, this is exactly why I like Instagram more. It's just nicer. Gad, I'm turning into my mother.
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Post by anonrefugee on Oct 5, 2017 18:59:54 GMT
Although I enjoy Facebook, this is exactly why I like Instagram more. It's just nicer. Gad, I'm turning into my mother. Aren't we all?  |
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Post by colleen on Oct 5, 2017 19:05:01 GMT
Although I enjoy Facebook, this is exactly why I like Instagram more. It's just nicer. Gad, I'm turning into my mother. Aren't we all? Lol. My generally pleasant mother turned into snarkasaurus rex with dementia -- so if it's the early version, I'm good with it! Oddly, my mil is doing just the opposite. Save |
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bethany102399
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,540
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Post by bethany102399 on Oct 5, 2017 19:07:47 GMT
I've tried. I really have. My biggest issue is now so many of my kids activities use Facebook to communicate with parents. I missed 2 things that they needed to be at b/c I had taken a break. Their school PTA also uses it to communicate with parents so I just feel like I'm stuck. Gad, I'm turning into my mother. one slow painful day at a time, yes. However, she only checks her email once a day and doesn't understand how to place an order on Amazon. I need to embrace this quality more. |
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Jun 1, 2024 19:51:51 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Oct 5, 2017 19:12:30 GMT
I've tried. I really have. My biggest issue is now so many of my kids activities use Facebook to communicate with parents. I missed 2 things that they needed to be at b/c I had taken a break. Their school PTA also uses it to communicate with parents so I just feel like I'm stuck. Unfriend as many people as possible. Then go "unfollow" everyone else. That way you can check into facebook and only see posts from the leaders of your kid's activities and the PTA. Check it once a day or every other day and don't go poking around. If that doesn't work then tell the group leaders you do not use facebook and they will have to contact you in some other way. |
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Post by Tammiem2pnc1 on Oct 5, 2017 19:30:20 GMT
No, I don't find it necessary to take breaks really. I unfollow most people who drive me crazy with all their posts, but who may be family and I can't really unfriend. I unfriend all the others who really drive me insane. My facebook is full of cute animals, funny stories, those who don't annoy me and pages that I enjoy. I don't "do" drama on social media.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Jun 1, 2024 19:51:51 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Oct 5, 2017 19:47:07 GMT
Although I enjoy Facebook, this is exactly why I like Instagram more. It's just nicer. Gad, I'm turning into my mother. Aren't we all? Please no! I use social media, i don't allow it to use me. I love that, that's exactly how I see it. Save |
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pudgygroundhog
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,643
Location: The Grand Canyon
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Post by pudgygroundhog on Oct 5, 2017 19:51:16 GMT
We went on a two week backpacking trip this summer and it was fantastic to have two weeks in the wilderness without all the everyday noise and news. It felt like a really good reset and rejuvenation.
When at home, my engagement on social media might ebb and flow, but I have never taken a 100% break (I might not read news that much for a week or so, but still will check in to keep up with friends, etc). But I'm also pretty good about my Facebook use - I know when to turn it off, who to engage with, what to read, etc. so overall I feel like I'm well informed, but not drowning in negativity.
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Post by cmpeter on Oct 5, 2017 20:04:46 GMT
Not really but I have stopped following a ton of sites that were causing me stress and hid friends who were doing the same. My FB page is pretty much close friends/family, Disney and make up.
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Post by auntkelly on Oct 5, 2017 20:23:52 GMT
I have never felt a need to take a break from FB. I skim right over the political posts. I do not depend on FB as a news source.
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snyder
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,990
Location: Colorado
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Post by snyder on Oct 5, 2017 20:30:04 GMT
I have kind of stepped away from it for brief periods of time, however, I resolve the political and drama by being very, very, very selective who my friends are and if I have one or two that I really do want to remain friends with, but go way overboard, then I unfollow them so I don't see their posts. Almost every post that is political, I hide it so it is not there for me to see the next time I scroll through. FB is not the place I want to get my political education as it is not a neutral place but more of a radical viewpoint of two sides. Crazy and I don't have time for that.
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Post by 50offscrapper on Oct 7, 2017 0:28:10 GMT
I still get on Instagram but I have no family or friends on it. It’s purely for my hobbies. I rarely get on fb anymore. I found that it was upsetting to really know what people think. So now I prefer not to know, so that I can not think ill of others. The nonsense posted was beyond irritating.
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