As I’ve slowly adopted and added Snapchat into my daily social media repertoire, I’m finding that it’s harder and harder to manage all my networks: Snapchat, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter (as well as chat services like WhatsApp) without losing my mind.
The other byproduct of following all these channels is sifting through the feeds. OH, the FEEDS! There’s just so much on there I’m not interested in, seen before, or simply don’t want to ever see again. Everything starts to look the same.
So, I propose a more Zen-like approach to social media. A way to get your life back. These are suggestions. Not hard and fast rules. But the point is, take a step back and objectively look at your social media usage and determine if you should adjust how you use these channels.
Let’s tackle each major social media and find a more Zen-like approach to each.
Today, we’re going to focus on the big poppa of social media.
The Zen of Facebook
Stop and ask yourself: Why are you on Facebook?
I imagine many of you started using Facebook to keep up with friends and family. And then Facebook turned into the second internet where brands, sponsored posts, video, suggested follows, trending stuff, and a bunch of other things started cropping up.
If you’re on Facebook to get stay in touch with friends and family that you actually want to stay in touch with…then why are you accepting friend requests from Julie who sat next to you in third grade?
I use Facebook to follow specific groups that I belong to and keep up with friends and family. Many of my friends and family are monotheistic when it comes to social media, so I have no choice but to play along on Facebook.
Clean ’Em Out
Are you seeing posts from people you don’t want to see posts from anymore? Unfriend them! I do an annual Facebook-friend spring clean and feel invigorated after I’ve unfollowed a bunch of folks.
Hide Posts
Especially during this election cycle, Facebook has become a trash bin of people shouting their own polticial agendas and hot takes from their soapbox.
Don’t want to see it anymore? Hide them.
[I would NEVER unfollow my own mom. But I needed a post example to show you how easy it is to unfollow your mom.]
Turn Off Push Notifications
We’ve turned into Pavlov’s dogs with push notifications on our phones. End the insanity and shut those push notifications off. It’s distracting and 95% of those push notifications can wait.
Familiarize Yourself with Facebook’s Privacy Settings
It’s almost impossible to figure out how to navigate Facebook’s byzantine privacy settings. That’s why it’s imperative to figure out what people should see and shouldn’t see.
I can’t tell you how many times I can go to a complete stranger’s Facebook page and see EVERYTHING.
For the lazy, at least learn the privacy basics of Facebook. You can always add more security later.
And for real, even Mark Zuckerberg is paranoid about being spied on.
Every Post Doesn’t Need a Like or Comment
Ever since Facebook bought Instagram, I feel like I have to like photos on Instagram AND Facebook. This is madness.
You don’t need to like everything. And you don’t need to express your opinion on every post you agree with or (especially) disagree with.
Moderation Never Hurt Anyone
Set a time block to check Facebook. You don’t need to be on it all day. It doesn’t need to be constantly open on a tab or running in the background. You have a life. You have a job. You might even have kids!
Ferris said it best:
Don’t Take Yourself Too Seriously
How did something so fun become so toxic sometimes? People take themselves WAAAY too seriously on Facebook and we all need to take a collective breather sometimes.
Facebook is supposed to be fun. It’s like a digital smoke break during your day. If you feel like crap when you go to Facebook, what’s the point?
Don’t Forget: Facebook Depresses You
It’s science! Facebook depresses you.
And There’s Always the Nuclear Option
I deleted my Facebook account (temporarily) a couple years ago. It was great. But like the mob, just when I thought I was out, Facebook pulled me back in again.
Don’t forget, you don’t HAVE to be on Facebook. The nuclear option is always available. Detonate your account and call it a day.
