I vividly recall my first foray into Facebook back in 2009. It was the talk of the town among my college and high school friends. As a new mom, I was grappling with the challenges of being a stay-at-home parent. The feelings of loneliness were overwhelming, and social media became my lifeline.
Suddenly, I could share milestones like my baby’s first sit-up or their initial taste of solid food, with family and friends in just a few clicks. It felt wonderful to reconnect with the world.
Fast forward to today, and my relationship with social media has transformed dramatically. A decade ago, I didn’t own a smartphone and accessed Facebook only a couple of times daily from my computer. Platforms like Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat, and TikTok were nonexistent on my radar.
Now, my phone is an integral part of my job, which involves managing social media accounts. I’m constantly online, not just to share adorable snapshots of my children, but also to engage with humorous parenting memes, TikTok videos, and enlightening news pieces about influential figures like Stacey Abrams and AOC.
While social media has helped me forge connections, friendships, and career opportunities, it can also become overwhelming. I used to embrace “friending” random high school acquaintances, but now I find myself frequently “unfriending,” “unfollowing,” or even “blocking” people—without any guilt.
Until the 2016 election, social media was a relatively benign presence in my life. Sure, I occasionally felt envious of those picture-perfect mom accounts with their flawless homes and curated lives, but I also had plenty of real-life friends to keep me grounded. However, everything shifted when the toxicity of politics seeped into my feeds.
The wave of negativity that followed the Trump campaign made social media a breeding ground for division and hate. I found myself unfollowing more often than adding new friends, and the block button became my ally for maintaining mental peace.
As the pandemic unfolded, the situation worsened. Initially, I unfriended those sharing offensive political rhetoric, but soon I was also cutting ties with COVID-deniers or those dismissing the pandemic’s severity.
The past year has taken a toll on my mental health. As my family sheltered at home, the weight of isolation grew heavier. We understood the importance of staying safe for our health and the community, but it was disheartening to witness others acting irresponsibly.
I had to prioritize my well-being, which meant adjusting my social media exposure. Anyone who fueled my frustration was removed from my feeds. Friends who disregarded safety protocols—like hosting large gatherings—had to go, at least for now.
I’m done allowing negativity to taint my life. The ongoing pandemic is exhausting, and I have no room for those who trivialize the loss of lives or dismiss the importance of public health measures.
While I may not have the luxury of time for self-care, I can certainly curate my digital environment. Just as we clean our homes, we can tidy up our social media feeds. Surrounding ourselves with supportive voices helps combat the heaviness brought on by this crisis.
So, if you find yourself in the same boat, feel empowered to unfriend, unfollow, and block without hesitation. It’s a necessary step towards lifting the burden that this pandemic has placed upon us. Don’t look back, don’t feel guilty, and remember—you owe no one an explanation.
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