First let me say, I am addicted to Facebook. Connecting with friends and family and being involved in their daily lives is priceless. I love seeing pictures of everyone and their children and reading posts about their happy lives. It fills me with joy.
Ok, that said, Facebook can be damn depressing, too! The Today show featured a segment today warning parents about “Facebook Depression” in teenagers. Even though I am a few years past being a teenager (just a few!), I can totally relate. Staying at home with two young children can be exhausting, isolating and very unglamorous. Then I get on Facebook and read about my friends’ exciting, perfect, sunshiny lives; family trips to Hawaii, adorable children who make straight As and keep their rooms clean, perfectly thought out gifts from husbands for no reason at all, unselfish mission trips to Zimbabwe, organic veggie gardens and beautifully decorated homes. Seriously? I can’t help but compare my boring, imperfect life with those of my talented, gorgeous, generous friends. It’s just so depressing.
So what do I do? I edit my life, posting only that which will make me look good, as a mother, wife, friend, daughter, etc. But the truth is, my house is messy, my kids eat junk and watch a lot of TV, the weeds are out of control, I’m super lazy and spend too much time on Facebook. But I don’t want anyone to know that.
Sooo… if I’m covering up the ugly parts of my life, then maybe my friends are, too. That would mean I’m not the only one out there with outdated clothes, ten extra pounds, dusty shelves and smudgy windows. Whew, that’s a relief.
God made each one of us differently and fills all of our lives with unique talents, relationships and experiences. I plan on thanking Him every day for my blessings and not focusing on what I don’t have or what is imperfect in my life. In the meantime, friends, keep those happy posts coming. I’ll continue to celebrate your successes without the green-eyed monster coming out.
Interesting. I have had several friends who "quit" FB, saying it's "just all too much"....I have never understood that. don't get me wrong...there are times when I have said to my husband, "I don't know how everyone can afford the trips they take all year long" based on FB pix/statuses of many friends, especially come summer! And I do know the personal lives of a couple of people on FB are not AT ALL what they attempt to portray publicly, but isn't that the case in "real life" too?
ReplyDeleteI TRY to be transparent. Of course I would never say "My husband is being a real JERK today" on FB because, well, that would just be disrespectful. But I occasionally spout about sassy kids, overflowing laundry and my disdain for cooking. I LOVE transparency in others and those are the people I find a closer connection to on FB.
Also, I try to remember two things:
1) "Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight Oh Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer" (Psalm 19:14) AND
2) "Now there is great gain in godliness with contentment, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs." (1 Timothy 6:6-10)
Great post, interesting topic. You are blessed beyond measure, Libby. Don't ever let the Enemy even TRY to convince you otherwise.
I do hope that you (or anyone for that matter) don't take this post to mean that I think my friends are being fake (which you, my friend, are the farthest thing from!)Like you said, we shouldn't all throw out our dirty laundry on FB everyday. This was more about me and how I view others and compare myself with them. It's funny how I can focus on all the positives of others but the negatives in myself. The grass is always greener, right?
ReplyDeleteThank you for your kind words and friendship. It really means a lot to me! And when I read your posts, they really do inspire me. I tried to get Alice Katharine to make her sandwiches for lunch for the week yesterday. Didn't work too well. lol! I may have a little jealous bone, but it doesn't keep me from inspiring to be better. Love you, girl!!
love you too...no offense or negativity taken. Your post was an excellent read. You inspire me too...who else can make the coolest, largest, most amazing looking snowman??? :)
ReplyDeleteGreat post. I needed to read this. I had taken a break from FB for a while because I was comparing myself to others "FB Life". We haven't been able to travel and do a lot of extra's since I've been unemployed but God has been doing some amazing things in my families lives that weren't always tangible so that I would have pictures to post. I know we haven't talked or seen in each other in many years but I'm grateful that we were able to connect on FB so that I could read this. I pray that you continue to allow God to use you and be transparent. - Kayla Brown Anderson
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