Dear Facebook,
We have been together for a while now, and yeah, it has been great. However, I need some space; just for a little while. It's become a lot, you see, seeing you day after day, night after night, covered in angry rants and arguments and shaming (political or otherwise). I need a break from seeing people I love and respect being told to “calm down” when their fears and concerns are rightfully valid.
Don't get me wrong, I really like you, Facebook.
Since I have met you, you have made it easier to keep connected with my friends and family in this fast-paced world of ours. You’ve lovingly kept me updated on the lives of those around me and have been generous enough to give the world an unlimited platform to speak from. You store my memories and proudly show them off to the world, and let's face it, other than my parents, you are the only one that without fail remembers my birthday every year.
But the thing is, Facebook, as great as you are, the more I'm with you the more I have begun to lose myself. You make it so easy just to skim by everything and everyone without giving a care. If I don't like it, you help me block it from my view. If I don't want to talk, your settings help me hide but still allow me see what everyone else is up to.
With you, I and everyone else are no longer required to look people in the eyes. Instead, we say what we want and let you conveniently shield us from the hurt in their eyes. We can rant and argue and like a thousand little things you show us, but meanwhile, around us, nothing changes. You've made it easy to forget there are flesh and blood human beings behind the words we read. In connecting us with the world, somehow being with you has made us forget that people still live in it. You've made easier to keep our mouths open and our ears shut.
I’m sorry to say it, but I think we need to start seeing other people. Actually, I need to start seeing other people. And by that, I mean I need to start seeing people in general. Whether it's setting aside time in the week to go hang out or something quick and simple like getting coffee during my lunch break. I want to talk to people again. Hug them. Mourn with them. Look them in the eyes when they are telling their story and above all, LISTEN to them. And hopefully along the way understand their perspective a bit more.
This isn’t goodbye forever, just goodbye for now. I'm sorry, Facebook, but this is what I need right now. Believe when I say this is better for both of us in the end.
Love,
Me
