I’ve done “social media detoxes” before, where I abstain from all social media for a pre-determined amount of time (usually a month). Every time I do it, it does wonders for my mental health! In the spirit of self-preservation, it’s come time for me to delete my personal and business pages on FB and break up with the platform for good (because what ails Facebook—and tangentially what is ailing all of us—is so intentionally pervasive that it can’t be rectified by short-term detoxes alone).
Facebook has been my abuser. I honestly can’t remember the last time I logged onto Facebook and didn’t feel like I was literally flushing my mental health down the toilet. Truth be told, that’s what the algorithm wants—for us all to be angsty and unproductive. Its leadership team is opportunistic and unprincipled. The machine profits off of people’s pain. (*Disclaimer: There was a time when Facebook was in the relationship-building business and I’m grateful for the people I met during its heyday.)
And, I’m tired. Tired of the ads. Tired of AI. Tired of the lunacy of literally every local community page. Tired of opinions being peddled as facts. Tired of the dumbest (and loudest) among us pretending they are experts in medicine, politics, climate, and foreign policy. I’m tired of misinformation, disinformation, race wars, and class wars. The exploitation and piracy of our data. The gaslighting. The silos, echo chambers, and isolation. The way the keyboard warriors talk to people online (particularly women—especially women of color). Of the fallacy of followers as friends. When I share pieces of my heart, I’m tired of hoping for clicks and shares and maybe an engaged, thoughtful comment or two when what I really need is a fucking hug and systemic empathy.
My soul is literally yearning for something different. And I’ve realized that my thirst for authenticity, honesty, and truth is never going to be quenched on social media. So I’m packing up my metaphorical suitcase and going back to my roots. I want to sit with people in person. To have deep, vulnerable conversations without fear of vilification or retribution. I want to reclaim my time. I want to create more than I consume. I want to be more of the person I was before I allowed Zuckerberg to sink his greasy little paws in my psyche.
I promised myself at the beginning of this year that I would begin to deliberately disentangle myself from systems of harm and oppression. Examining my relationship with social media was an eventual step in that promise. I know it’s not for everyone. But, the way I see it: the world existed for millenia without social media and I truly believe there will come a time when we exist (more joyfully) without it again. In all seriousness, I know my decision to do this will likely come with a cost, whether it be social, fiscal, or both. I’m willing to roll those dice because the cost of staying on and staying numb at the expense of my own mental health is a price I’m no longer willing to pay.
So, get that phone outta my face! I’m about to be kickin’ it old school! If you’re looking for digital versions of me, you can find me on Instagram (for the time being; and yes, I know it’s owned by META), on my Web site, or in my Teachable classroom. The living, breathing version of me will be writing, making art, spending time with cherished kindreds, touching grass, doing everything in my power to make the world a better place, and toodling around all my favorite locations.
I hope to see many of you out there!
In the meantime, protect your peace and stay true to you,
Jenn
xoxox