I remember when I first got Facebook way back when, and you added everyone, everyone you knew, everyone in your year at school, I mean it was ridiculous how many friends you ended up with on Facebook – and totally pointless. There is nothing more therapeutic than having a massive clear out on Facebook of people you no longer talk to. More than that, people that you don’t have any interest in staying connected to.
I basically decided one morning to have a massive clear out of who I was friends with on Facebook. My colleague at work who I’ve actually knowing for over 20 years, said something that really stuck with me, do I really want that person seeing what I post on Facebook? The answer to that question for most of them was a resounding no.
So I went through my entire friends list and ended up getting rid of about 300 people. I looked at each one and every time I was like nope, I don’t know you any more, we haven’t spoken in years, I genuinely don’t want you seeing my posts or I’m not even friends with you any more.
I’ve got to be honest, it was so good for my overall wellbeing that I genuinely couldn’t stop, hence why I ended up clearing out so many.
If you think about it, we only ever post the positive stuff on Facebook anyway, I mean when I was about 15, I always used to post those cringy quotes, or photos that had lyrics on them. I mean we all went through that phase right? I sure hope so because I’m going to start to feel really old if not.
We only ever post the highlights on our Facebook nowadays, not the photos of how we wake up in the morning, with a birds nest for hair and mascara half way down our faces if we have forgotten to take it all off, we post the good photos, with the good light, not blurry and with some make up on.
I’ve unfriended people who I’ve known forever because we are just not part of each other’s lives anymore, and rather than being bitter and caught up in that, I’m just learning to get on with it, because at the end of the day, everything happens for a bloody reason.
My advice for friendships on Facebook?
Go through the list of people that you genuinely care about, when was the last time you spoke to them? Do you still speak to them? Would you miss their posts if you unfriended them? Are you even still friends in general or are you just Facebook stalking them?
All of these factors count at the end of the day, we all love to look at old friends Facebooks, see if they’re doing good, but sometimes for your own happiness, you just need to delete them. Focus on the friends that you genuinely want to keep because since having a massive clear out, I feel much better about sharing things on that platform, including blog related items.
What are your thoughts on friends on Facebook? Have you had a clear out lately? Let me know in the comments!
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I don’t even go on facebook anymore and I haven’t for years – if it wasn’t for the private message with friends about meeting up, I would delete it x
Wow that’s a big clear out!
I ought to do this too but to be honest I don’t use Facebook anymore. I only keep it because I have to have an account to keep my business pages running.
Love Lozza xo
http://girlygabble.com
You’re so right about this! I actually can’t remember the last time I went on facebook, but mine Is full of people who I haven’t spoken to for years, or people who I just used to know & have never spoken to. Stupid really! I’m glad you feel better for the clear out – I might have to do the same.
Claire.X
http://www.clairemac.co.uk
I love deleting people from Facebook at the end of each year x
Sometimes it’s vital to cut toxic people out of your life x
I love that you have shared this darling, I personally don’t have a facebook account anymore due to the fact of so much drama and bitterness everyone causes. I’m sending you so much love! 💜
With love, Alisha Valerie x | http://www.alishavalerie.com
I did a massive clear out about a year ago and it felt really good. I definitely think it is time for another one ♥
This a really great post and I know exactly what you mean.
I found ‘unfriending’ people on Facebook incredibly cathartic and reading your post made me wonder about the kind of ‘friends’ I had on there in the first place.
My feed was a mixed bag of either ‘look at the amazing things i’m doing’ or ‘woe is me, I’ve got another cold’.
When I finally purged my friend list I spring cleaned a good 3/4 of them and I have to say, it felt so empowering, like a weight had been lifted.
I did think this would make Facebook a better place to be but I then found myself wasting time scrolling through my feed with no actual interest so in the end I bit the bullet and deactivated my account.
I can honestly say that this was the best decision (for me) as now I only use Instagram (my feed filled with nothing but things that inspire me and make me happy) and Pinterest (my go to place for all creative, crafty and bakey things!)
Well done for taking the bull by the horns and doing what feels right for you. With so much focus on social media and mental well being, it’s important people identify what is and isn’t right for them and take responsibility for their online presence.
Hopefully this post inspires others to think about what they want from their social media.
🙂
I have a FB account for my blog and because I manage some client FB pages but given a choice I wouldn’t have it at all. I much prefer Twitter! Think it’s time for a clearout 😊 xx
Lisa | http://www.lisasnotebook.com
I can totally relate to this post, Amie, A few years ago, I went through a very challenging phase in my life and there were tons of people in my old FB account that didn’t support me. So, I deactivated my account and started a new one – inviting only friends and family who brings joy and positivity to my life.
Love this! Completely agree! I do the same with unfollowing people on instagram too. I used to feel guilty about deleting people, but now I’ve gotten to the point where I’m like – if I don’t talk to them in real life, what’s the point in feeling guilty about it?!
I need to sort my facebook out! I am friends with people I went to school with over ten years ago and I didn’t talk to them then and have no interaction since lol xx
Couldn’t relate to a post more!
I recently did a big facebook friend clear out. Why would you want people on there seeing your posts if you’re no longer friends, or speak at all? It’s a no brainer really!
Amber | http://www.amberatlanta.blogspot.co.uk
I have done this quite a while ago and honestly would do it again but as I only really use my personal FB to access my blogs FB page it would be moot really. It’s definitely such a good thing to do though! 🙂 x
Sarah 🌺 || Boxnip || Latest Post
I did the same a while back & it feels so good not to have everyone I might have met on there
Having a Facebook clear out is so good for the mind, even unfollowing people on Instagram and Twitter is also just as good for the mind. You don’t need negativity in your life, and sometimes Facebook friends can bring that and you need to get rid of that negative vibe! x
Lucy | http://www.lucymary.co.uk
I need to have a Facebook clear out. There are so many ‘friend’s I have on there that I don’t even talk to anymore.
I couldn’t agree more. I rarely use Facebook. If it weren’t for sharing blog posts in groups I’d never go on.
http://littlemissmelanie.com/
Good call Amie! I also did a massive cleanup two years ago. I removed 180 people from the list and felt so light and free after that. I could post more personal stuff and photos of my kids knowing that it went only to the inner circle.