Your story is 100% relatable. The stuff about balancing this broad spectrum of contacts is a huge part of FB stress. I deactivated my FB account several months ago and to say “I don’t miss it” is a huge understatement. It’s a relief to not be constantly subjected to everybody’s hot takes, performative outrage, stupid puns, condescending lectures, bickering, nitpicking, smug posturing, bragging, bids for pity, passive-aggressive grousing, and dirty laundry.

Last year on my birthday, I heard from hundreds of people on FB. This year, the only former FB friends who noted my birthday were those who are actually close IRL family/friends. And that felt much better because it was authentic.

I’ve always been a firm believer in “Time you enjoy wasting is not wasted time.” But I stopped enjoying FB a long time ago and felt stuck there out of some hollow obligation. Yet there was also the guilt of knowing that every like, every kind or encouraging or funny comment I made, was fueling other people’s FB addictions.

Hopping off that merry-go-round is its own reward. People who love it should stay there, but I’d encourage anyone who hates it and longs to get off of it, take the leap! You’ll never miss it.