As part of my efforts to detox my life, I quit Facebook last year.
I didn’t have a blog account, just a regular, personal Facebook page, where I would share my blog posts and a select few other updates. I was worried about leaving it behind, as it did drive some traffic to the blog. (And by “some” I mean like 15 views per post, not 200.) Still, I decided that a few blog views wasn’t enough to justify me “being on Facebook”.
What I have found since I left, is that it has made me a better blogger. Maybe you haven’t noticed, maybe you have; it has made it easier to write honest, more personal posts with my own thoughts and, sometimes, strong opinions. Turns out, I was experiencing negativity and judgment from Facebook “friends”!
Who here can say that your friends from high school actually LIKE you and want you to succeed? Aha. That’s what I thought; two friends do. The rest of them remember how [insert personality trait here] you were, and kind of resent how confident you are now. Also, how keen would you be to show them pictures of yourself with a skin rash all over your face? Right.
Another part that I realized had even more of a negative effect on me was that good friends didn’t support me. They knew I wanted to build a successful blog (most bloggers do!) yet they rarely (or never) shared a single post or even took the time to give me a thumbs up.
Many of my posts dealt/deal with climate change, protecting our environment and being more aware of our actions here in the rich part of the world, which I would think are posts worthy of liking, thus it must be they either 1. Found me so annoying that even spreading good messages was appalling or 2. They were afraid of being judged by their “friends” for being stewards of the environment or 3. Just thought it was too much work to help a friend out (which kind of implies that we are not friends) or 4. Never actually had time to read or even push like (or sad emoji or whatever) 5. Had no idea I was blogging.
Whatever their reasons were, I realized that constantly sharing blog posts and not getting much of a response from people I hold dear had been affecting me negatively. (That might sound silly, to base your value on other’s opinions/engagement, but I think we need to admit that this is what social media does to (most of) us.)
I can also share that quitting Facebook has made me a more successful blogger! I define success as being proud of what I write, getting a text or two about the content I just published, increasing traffic (compared to previous month) and gaining a few followers. I run a very small blog and I don’t have hopes of becoming the next “big thing” but I want to spread the good word, help earth and help people feel better – obviously I need somebody to read ;) Happiness is success!
The few (spectacular) friends that used to follow and support my blog on Facebook have signed up to follow the blog via email and/or we follow each other on Instagram – which works so much better and is a much more positive space.
Ultimately, leaving Facebook behind allowed me to become “Sustainable Anna” which in turn has made me super excited about blogging again! (Pretty darn fantastic, if you ask me, that I feel that way about blogging almost four years, a pregnancy and a baby later.) In order to live a balanced life in which I can be good to earth and people, I need to be good to me.
To all of you who read, follow and keep this a positive space – thank you! I always welcome your comments, opinions and questions – stirring up conversation is why bloggers blog! We don’t always have all the answers, but we like to think that we do ;)
I would love to know if anyone else has cut the chords with social media in any way, shape or form and what happened after. Or maybe you just need a push to push that “delete” button? Also, do you think a blogger should stay on a social media platform that impacts their personal life negatively just for the potential to, maybe, “reach” people that wouldn’t normally read a green living blog? Let me know.
Xoxo Anna
I only post my boys on Facebook when they’re relatively calm so I can slide environmentalism into a post about where I traveled to so my family click on it to see where I’ve been and learn something along the way.
My other social networks I post all of the other blog posts! Different audiences but both need the message in any way I can get it to them.
Before doing it this way, I did feel negatively about posting/going on Facebook but now it’s balanced I think.
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That’s a great strategy you’ve come up with! I do wish my family would read the blog more. Maybe I should just sign them up to follow – I do have their emails ;) LOL.
I love hearing how so many people have had to take a step back and really think about how they use social media platforms. I feel like a few years ago everyone just posted whatever, everywhere! Thank you for leaving me a comment :)
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Signing them up is a good idea! Maybe I’ll do that! ;)
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Maybe I will actually! Your comment gave me a good idea there… :D *evil grin*
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I think you did right! ❤️
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Puss!
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Hi Anna, I miss you on Facebook, but still enjoy your blog – It’s always an inspiration to read your posts and it is great to that you and your family are doing well, hugs from DK
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Thank you Birgit!! There are a few people I miss as well, but as one other comment said: Facebook algorithm decides what you see so sometimes you miss it anyway. It’s been so nice to have you follow along here. I thought about you the other day, I saw a trailer of Mamma Mia 2 :) I think Meryl isn’t in it though!!
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So very true! Facebook is not what it used to be.
Can’t wait for MM 2, (You already guessed that)
Meryl is in it, but only has a small part – She was busy
doing ‘The Post’, which is another movie I can’t wait to see.
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Oh yes! I also want to see the Post. Quite the star line up and interesting story!! Have a wonderful weekend :)
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Good questions! You def made the right decision since you are happier now and that is great. Honestly, I think Facebook is quite shallow and i don’t actually feel comfortable to post updates there. 🤔
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It’s kind of crazy that so many feel not comfortable there! Says a bit about our “friends” and also I think the security of it. xoxo
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Interesting. I find that I miss so much stuff from friends and pages I like (such as bloggers) because the Facebook algorithm just isn’t putting them in front of me often. I’m mostly using FB for groups I’m in for work so that is largely what I see. Glad you are happier now that you are off it!
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Wow, good point! I really disliked the screening and algorithm too – and add all the advertisements – another reason to not stay :) Unfortunately Instagram does the same now too.
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