It is totally and completely ridiculous that Facebook can have such an impact on my life and my mood, and I’m almost ashamed that it does, but for what it’s worth, it does. I may take a hiatus from the social networking site and clear my mind of ridiculousness that may come from a comment or a post or an “unfriend”.
So knowing how absurd it is that I’m completely obsessed, let’s discuss how much it irritates me when people unfriend me. I don’t base my relationships with people around the fact that we are friends on Facebook or not. But when I have history with someone, and have inside jokes with that person, and we’ve finally reconnected after being apart for so many years, and they all of a sudden up and unfriend me — how dare them! And with no reason or explanation why! Was it something I did? Or said? Or blogged about? Did I make them mad? Or did they never think we were as good of friends as I originally thought? Either way, it really gets under my skin.
I also feel slighted when I request someone’s friendship on Facebook and I get ignored. Maybe I’m a huge bitch and I just don’t know it? I don’t think I am, but I could be wrong. I’m not friends with myself, after all, so how would I really know?
I like to stay in touch with as many people that I can. It’s so helpful in so many ways. For instance, what happens if a great job opportunity comes along that one of my friends from a previous life could help me get (and they don’t happen to be on LinkedIn)? Or what happens if I want to do something special for my boy on his first birthday? I’m friends with a cake baker and my old camp counselor who makes extraordinary cookie creations! And what happens if I want to plan a reunion of some sort, for college friends? Fortunately, I’m friends with these people on Facebook.
So you see, Facebook is a great tool to rekindle previous friendship flames that may have lost their fire over years and miles of separation. It’s also wonderful for networking, and staying in touch.
It has it’s pros and cons. Either way, I think I need to take a break from Facebook.
The whole unfriending thing… ba humbug!
