Unfriending Facebook Friends

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.

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