Day 25

The Jewish holiday season is finally over, and I have a few thoughts that I've been yearning to share. 

Firstly, I am really starting to miss being on Facebook.  I don't feel like I've become any more mindful than I was before, and I'm definitely not changing as a person.  I haven't picked up a phone to call a friend even once during this whole time.  I'm hoping I can just blame it on the crazy Jewish holiday season, but I know deep down that I'm at fault here.  I have just been mindlessly wasting my time on other internet sites; the only difference is that I'm doing it alone, without a community of people to share my thoughts and discoveries with.

I have been strongly considering returning to Facebook after my little "cleanse" is over, and I have to say that I am disappointed.  I had really hoped that I would be a strong hold out, discover that I loved being away from that world, and never go back!

Secondly, this past week, there was another devastating mass shooting--this time in Oregon.  I am always deeply affected by tragedies such as this, and I truly hurt as if I was somehow directly connected to the victims, even though, so far, I have had no personal connection... It's part of being a Highly Sensitive Person, or HSP (you can read more here: http://hsperson.com/)  I think this is one of the many reasons Facebook has become too overwhelming for me. 

Usually, in the wake of tragedies like this one, people take to social media to express their outrage and indignation.  Some people post in memory of the victims or in solidarity with the community, but a lot of people use Facebook as a platform to condemn the status quo and call for change.  Often, these calls for change are misguided.

If I were on Facebook, this is what I would have seen while scrolling through my newsfeed this past week:

1. Many, many news articles and images of the event
2. People condemning people posting news articles that mention the shooter's name, and instead posting names and background about the victims.
3. People calling for gun law reform.
4. People condemning those calling for gun law reform, telling them they shouldn't make this a political issue and should express their support for the victims and community.
5. People calling for changes in the way we handle mental health in this country.
6. People condemning those calling for changes in the way we handle mental health...

Facebook, which could be used as a community of support in a dark time, becomes a battle ground, with each person more liberally self-righteous than the next.  By not being on Facebook, I was able to read the news articles I wanted to read, when I wanted to read them, and to avoid the opinionated backlash.  This was definitely something I appreciated about NOT being on Facebook, even if it means I miss out on the fun stuff like listicles and videos of cats.