Don't Like Facebook? Just Go.

Recently I have seen a lot of people announce that they are leaving Facebook. (On LinkedIn, Twitter and even Facebook, ironically.) They are sick of it, they spend too much time on it or maybe they just hate it. 

No problem. To each his own. If you feel Facebook is infringing on your time, you find yourself obsessed with it or you just don’t enjoy it… by all means, let it go. It’s not for everyone. 

I'm just sick of people making a big to-do about it. Instead of just leaving, they have to post something that usually comes off as condescending or smug. They complain about the Ice Bucket Challenge, selfies and how people don't have a real life because they spend so much time in the online one.

Selfie and Proud of It

Personally, I like Facebook. I have fun interacting with my friends and it has brought me closer to some people that would have remained casual acquaintances otherwise. I've also met a ton of new people through it.

I’m not there for serious debates or hard news. There are plenty of other places for that.

Sure, it’s not perfect. There are tons of narcissists, annoying posts and occasional fights… and maybe I do look at it a little more often that I should on certain days. But it’s not hindering me. I still have a real world social life. Actually, Facebook enhances my social life. Now when I run into people I may not have seen in a while, we have some common ground to talk about.

I recently took a trip to London and my friends loved the pictures I posted. And yes, they were selfies. I'm not ashamed of that. I had fun taking them and my friends had fun commenting on them.

It’s also a great way to connect with others for a shared experience… like during the Boston Marathon events or more recently with the death of Robin Williams. And I love the Ice Bucket Challenge. A ton of fun and raising a pile of cash for a great cause. It will be THE social media case study that people refer to for years.

And one more thing… there is nothing better than all the birthday wishes you get on Facebook. 

So if you don't want to do Facebook anymore, no problem. Just go. We'll miss you, but we don't need your drama or your lectures.

As for me, I’m staying.