I have a Love/Hate      relationship with Facebook

 

I surely hope that I don’t get banned from Facebook since I may have some buzz words that flag them and maybe send me packing…however, I’m trying to figure out just exactly what my relationship with Facebook looks like!

Here’s the deal, like the title says, I have a Love/Hate relationship with Facebook. I excitedly joined Facebook while Katie was in college. I say excitedly because she was mortified that her Mom was going to be on Facebook, where she and her friends “resided!” Funny thing was, until her friends started asking me if I was on Facebook, I really didn’t expect to be on there. So, nearly 10 or 11 years later, I am a Facebook person.

I loved being able to connect with family and friends. I loved being able to see baby pictures, birthday parties, weddings and more and in turn, I loved sharing my special events with people as well.

I hated that it was possible for people who I didn’t care to hear from or see, could view my special events and my news. Now I know sounds ridiculous, but am I the only one who prefers not to share with some? I hated that I wasn’t savvy enough to make the necessary privacy changes to make sure that didn’t happen.

Then Facebook started to grow and grow and grow. I gained more friends, I gained more knowledge on the settings, and I started to figure out that I could manage groups, events, and I was getting into it! I was really loving it!

Next came politics and tragic gun incidents. I hated the “in your face” news and opinions. I hated that people tried to shame others over their feelings or opinions. I hated that I had to keep my opinions to myself for fear that others would knock me down. I missed the fun of Facebook!

Fun came back to Facebook when my Class of 76 high school friends started a class page to promote get-togethers, memories of friends that had died, and our reunions. I started to love Facebook again!

Election time…ugh! Once again, I found myself in the midst of those dreadful rants over the candidates. Let’s face it, we all have our opinions and we are entitled to them. We are also entitled to disagree with one another, but our friendships should not be put at risk over politics. This time, I truly hated Facebook and almost decided to go off of it. I hated Facebook for coming between friends and family.

With the pandemic, Facebook has been a lifeline for many…a reason to love it! It’s been fun to stay in touch with those we used to see routinely. Once I left Mt. Notre Dame, it became a way for me to visit with friends and keep up with them from my new home in Louisville.

One of the things I hate about Facebook are the ads. I used to just ignore them but now, it seems the ads often get in the way of my newsfeed. The ads used to be on the right-hand side, then they started to infiltrate the main pages. In fact, there have been times that the ads actually worked on me and I purchased an item or two. I loved that, but I hated the fact that the items I purchased on Facebook have been nothing but glorified scams and money wasted. Lessons learned!

When I posted about being divorced, I started receiving the online dating things and info about divorce care. Thank you very much! Employers may be looking at your Facebook page to see what kind of person you are when you aren’t at work! No thanks!

The creepiest thing on Facebook is that fact that they can hear me…I hate it! I’m not sure how it is done, but when I speak of something to a friend, or when I search the internet for an item, BAM…the next time I long onto Facebook, there are ads about that very item! It’s creepy and it’s crazy and I really hate it! Now, it’s not so bad if I’m looking for Kate Spade handbags or Roaring 20s décor, but when I am searching for TruFit bras, or Big Girl spanx, I don’t need my Facebook feed filling up with ads…ads that are usually those pesky scams I mentioned above.

When I search, toilet handrails or portable walkers, I don’t need nursing home offers or updates for Medicare supplements! Searching for potty training made easy should not stir up the ads for incontinence or Depends. I hate that!

I was talking to my parents about a spa someone recommended to me and BAM, Facebook had ten spas within driving distance! How do they do it? I hate it!!

One thing I have learned is that Facebook updates can wipe out your preferences. They will go to a default setting. Every now and then, you need to doublecheck and make sure you have the privacy settings you want.

I’m on a campaign now to make Facebook fun again! I will be ending my Facebook posts with that in a hashtag…or a pound sign…#makefacebookfunagain  Who’s with me???