Deleting social media

[Hormonal Filly]

I came off Facebook for a week not long ago, and made me realise how much we rely on it! I didn’t miss it, and kinda wished I didn’t open my account again. I tend to get obsessive over just scrolling through my Facebook newsfeed. I don’t post lots, but I just scroll and scroll and obviously it will never come to a end to spent hours on it.

It’s worse since working from home and work being quiet at the moment.

I set an half an hour rule on Facebook a day, which tends to help and control it. I do find I compare myself to others on social media (especially those with horses) which is the bad part of it and not good for mental health!

 

[Tiddlypom]

I use FB for all the info on there, such as news and events. I follow quite a few of those sort of sites, eh local council, local rag, bbc, road information, horsey groups.

I find it quite funny when people post how they've cut right down on their 'friends' list, but still have 100s of FB friends. I've got about 6, I think . I hardly ever post anything myself, unless it's to contribute to some group discussion.

 

[olop]

I deleted Facebook about a year ago for my own mental well-being and honestly it’s the best thing I’ve ever done, I won’t be going back. I’ve been on forums for a long time and much prefer them to be honest!

 

[HashRouge]

I de-activated Facebook and Instagram last December after a bit of a bad time with my mental health. I got into quite a bad cycle of mindless scrolling and would waste hours just looking at everyone else leading (from appearances at least) much better and more fulfilling lives than mine. I actually changed my HHO password to something I would never remember then logged out of here too! Anyway, I was amazed by how effective it was. Having logged out and deactivated my accounts, I simply did not log back in again, it was that easy! I'd really didn't expect it! Anyway, my mental health improved and I allowed myself to log back into HHO, but I never re-activated Facebook or Instagram. I've only logged back in very occasionally to check things like when someone's birthday is or to contact someone whose number I don't have. I don't want to delete my accounts though, because there are lots of people I've met travelling who I can only contact through facebook or instagram. However unlikely it is, I like to think I'd be able to drop them a message if I was ever in Chile or Australia!

 

[MotherOfChickens]

I am only on FB and here but have recently come back here after leaving in Dec 2019. I can’t work twitter or instagram, dont do influencers and have never got into YT .
I would leave FB but it is useful for local stuff and where most of my archery stuff is organised. I also stay in contact with very old friends across the world with it.
I don’t see what many people do but that’s probably because I am not on any of the big horse pages, nor poultry nor dog groups. people kept inviting me to shiteventersunite but I am not remotely interested in eventing at top level, let alone people who are shit at it.

 

[teddy_]

I de-activated Facebook and Instagram last December after a bit of a bad time with my mental health. I got into quite a bad cycle of mindless scrolling and would waste hours just looking at everyone else leading (from appearances at least) much better and more fulfilling lives than mine. I actually changed my HHO password to something I would never remember then logged out of here too! Anyway, I was amazed by how effective it was. Having logged out and deactivated my accounts, I simply did not log back in again, it was that easy! I'd really didn't expect it! Anyway, my mental health improved and I allowed myself to log back into HHO, but I never re-activated Facebook or Instagram. I've only logged back in very occasionally to check things like when someone's birthday is or to contact someone whose number I don't have. I don't want to delete my accounts though, because there are lots of people I've met travelling who I can only contact through facebook or instagram. However unlikely it is, I like to think I'd be able to drop them a message if I was ever in Chile or Australia!

I really sympathise with what you've said.

I too felt as though social media was enabling me to focus on the 'don't haves' rather than the 'do haves'. This kind of mentality is no doubt dependant on your personality of course so, some people won't understand it, but it's all too easy to end up going down that rabbit hole...

 

[teddy_]

I don’t see what many people do but that’s probably because I am not on any of the big horse pages, nor poultry nor dog groups. people kept inviting me to shiteventersunite but I am not remotely interested in eventing at top level, let alone people who are shit at it.

That did make me laugh !

 

[Mistletoeandawine]

Sort of related, but I’ve also changed my notifications for anything that needs to ermmm notify!

That includes work systems and it’s help remove the pavals dog behaviours of responding to every ping.

They get grouped up and are shared at breakfast, lunch and just before end of day and I’m really appreciating the lack of interruption as well as the retraining of people to think before asking because I was finding a lot of times they could find the answer themselves it’s just lazy and easier to ask someone

 

[Renvers]

I have reduced my FB to essentials, but it is too damn useful for horse related activities. I have learned of countless horsey clinics, lectures, demos, competitions and last minute availability for things I wanted to do due to Facebook and as much I like to remove it completely I don't know any other way I can get access to this information so quickly??

Only other SM I do is LinkedIn and then it is really to promote vacancies at work to my wider network. I never did Twitter or Insta or Tumbler etc and never missed what I didn't have

 

[scats]

I use FB for me. I’m not interested in posting content that I think others will like. I write about funny things that have happened because it amuses me to write things down. Or I post pictures of the horses/animals. Some people seem to enjoy it, particularly pictures of my cat Oakley, who poses like a pornstar and has got a huge fan club as a result!

I don’t get too involved in all the rubbish and arguments posted in groups.

 

[southerncomfort]

One thing I've been doing recently on FB is posting updates on my youngsters progress with the privacy set to 'Only Me'. That way it will still come up in my memories but no one else sees it.

Started doing this after a really horribly cruel reply to a photo of our second ever ride in the school. And that was from someone who was supposed to be a friend!

 

[nagblagger]

Only started on this forum recently, it's the only one i'm on and this is addictive enough for me. Never been interested in FB etc as quite a private person, but it does annoy me when i am looking for a shop on-line and they only have a FB account, with privacy settings, so I can only see the front page, their loss.

 

[McFluff]

I think the trick is to be in control and set boundaries (suited to you). I’m glad I didn’t grow up with social media, or even mobiles. But I do find very controlled use of facebook is beneficial for me. i lock privacy down and only have friends that I know (and like) in real life. It’s a great way to keep in touch with far flung friends and I only keep in touch with positive and polite people. All my friends know not to tag me without asking (and I do the same for them).
I’m a grumpy git, so I would just delete anyone who is rude.
I also avoid politics as I need to be neutral for my job.
however I can see how social media can be overwhelming and damaging and/or addictive.

 

[teapot]

Instagram I use as a visual diary, private account, and don't care how many followers I have. My fb is very private and tend to only post news/exciting things. Read the odd group for general interest/keeping abreast of industry changes

 

[fankino04]

I could quite happily delete Facebook as I never post on it but I do browse it occasionally in search of work (dog walking and grooming), I didn't sign up to any of the others as none of them interest me. I do read this forum too much however ?

 

[nikkimariet]

I only have social media for the horses. I much prefer people not knowing what I’m up to. I love blogging about the horses, I keep my fb account in order to keep the page running and really that’s it.

Recently I exited a load of groups and deleted a good number of people. I just have no interest in it these days. I do like following talented am/pro am/pro riders of most disciplines though.