I’ve been thinking about unfriending people on Facebook for my own well-being. In all the years I’ve been on there, I have unfriended a person or two. I didn’t like how it felt when it happened to me, so I haven’t done it since.
I’ve Been Unfriended
The people who unfriended me (including a relative) had friended me first. I realized we were no longer friends after I noticed their posts stopped appearing on my news feed. At the time, it bothered me and my feelings were a little hurt, but I get it now. We didn’t interact or engage with each other so it’s understandable and no need to take it personally.
Some people like having a lot of “friends” on social media even if they are barely acquaintances. Not me. I won’t friend someone I’ve never met, though I have accepted friend requests from people I didn’t know because we had mutual friends or we’re related.
When To Unfriend
I may unfriend people if:
- we don’t know each other personally,
- we never interact with one another,
- I restrict what they can see on my timeline,
- the friendship seems one-sided, or
- their posts are triggering.
Decluttering and Self-Care
There are some folks who constantly post content that is either annoying or not relevant to me. In those cases, I might unfollow or snooze them for 30 days rather than unfriend them. If someone or their content is triggering (and we’re not really friends), then I will probably unfriend them.
Unfriending is a decluttering process and self-care practice. If the relationship lacks connection or is triggering, then it’s time to let go of it. I think it will make me feel emotionally and mentally lighter. Honestly, I doubt the people I remove from my friends list will even notice.
Don’t unfriend me. Lol