When I was in California, I got a Facebook notification that someone had accepted my friend request. The only problem was that I hadn't sent a friend request! It was for someone in my ward but I haven't formally met him yet. I never send requests because I don't want anyone to feel obligated to be my friend if they don't want to be, so I felt a little embarrassed that I had sent one. I'm sure that in scrolling on Facebook on my phone, I accidentally tapped "Send Request" in the "People You May Know" section.
Well, this week I got another notification that someone accepted my request. Um, I don't even know who that person is. We have three mutual friends, but she lives in Provo. I don't anymore. I was shocked and embarrassed that I had sent another request without knowing it, and I was a little surprised that she had accepted my request when we don't even know each other.
There have been other times where I know I have "liked" something on accident. Once I "liked" something that a stranger posted on the profile of a cousin I don't know super well, and I didn't even realize it for a while. And for all of these accidental requests and likes that I know about, how many are there that I don't know about?
Therefore, I decided to quit looking at Facebook on my phone (although I will continue to look at it on my computer). It just seems that too much can go wrong. And I found that I was addicted, and I kept looking at it all the time. I don't want to be one of those people who live on Facebook--the kinds who are on their phone the whole time they "visit" you, and the only interaction they have is to show you a meme or joke they think is funny but isn't really that funny.
And even though I get addicted to Facebook, it isn't even all that satisfying. Facebook shows me lots of things I don't care about, such as when my friends "like" or comment on something. Not only is this annoying and uninteresting, it can make me lose respect for my friends, especially if they "like" something related to Donald Trump. (Fortunately, I think I only have one such friend.)
I feel like Facebook used to show interesting things, but then they invented the "Share" button, and everything went downhill. I would tell you my opinion of people who excessively share, but it isn't kind, so I will forbear. Forwarded jokes and urban legends used to come through email, but thankfully I didn't get those emails. But then they turned to Facebook, and now I get them. *sigh* I also think that the forwarded emails didn't include recipes, but now people use Facebook to get recipes. Even if you don't like cookbooks (and I happen to like cookbooks), there is still Pinterest you can use. (Please. Go there instead.)
At various times, I have loved watching YouTube videos and going on funny websites, and while I still like those things at times, I find my life is more fulfilling the less I'm online.
When I'm not on the internet, it lets me prepare food, like the avocado smoothie/milkshakes I made for St. Patrick's Day.
Last week I bought some trail running shoes, and the trails were finally thawed out enough this week for me to try them out. I do think they do a better job of protecting my feet against rocks, which is what they're meant for, but after running six miles yesterday I do have some large blisters. I'm hoping they're because the shoes are new, not from the shoes in general. My Fitbit tells me I climbed 1,200 feet yesterday. I also explored a trail by the North Salt Lake landslide which has been closed ever since I've moved up here but is now open. I wasn't impressed.
Quit living a virtual life and go out and live a real one instead. Instead of seeing everyone else's adventures, go have some of your own!
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