During my quest of cleaning up and shipping out, which I’ve mostly been doing with my home in preparation for moving, I did catch the Facebook Delete Bug.
It felt so awesome to get rid of a ton of stuff that I decided to follow through with clearing out the mental clutter. For me, Social Media lovebug that I am, it starts with Facebook.
I wrote in my post last week How To Be Your Best Self that a necessary step to becoming a better version of yourself is to surround yourself with positive, uplifting people: people who will only help you become a better person. I thought that I had done just that and was pretty much good to go.
I was wrong, however. The other night, after a bout of insomnia, I got up and started browsing Facebook. And got drawn into the drama. So I finally decided to make the cut and really pare down my friends list. I mean, I totally GET networking. But if “friends” just aren’t doing it for you, and like unwanted clutter they actually just ABSORB energy, do you really need those people in your life? Do you honestly need 500, 700, 5,000 friends? (If this if for your business, get a fan page). So, I decided to further set my boundaries by creating a list of Facebook rules, which did garner quite a few laughs. They were meant to be humorous and some tongue-in-cheek, but I also do hold them quite seriously. So here you go:
Facebook Rule #1: Just because we were friends or somewhat knew each other in high school does not mean we automatically have to be friends on FB. Write me a note and say hi if you are going to “friend” me! I’ll do the same.
Facebook Rule #2: Don’t try to ask me out in a message. Automatic delete! (My relationship status is CLEARLY visible, and if someone doesn’t take the time to read the “About Me” section, I don’t have time for them).
Facebook Rule #3: If you ask to be my friend and we do not know one another, send a little note out of politeness! I will try to do the same. If not, you have a certain grace period to do so. If I don’t get a “hi” after I’ve accepted your friend request, delete!
Facebook Rule #4: Just because I delete you does not mean I despise you. I’m just conscious about my privacy. My other page Sophie Chantal, however, is open!
Facebook Rule #5: Don’t deliberately insult me on my page. There is a difference between friendly banter, stating your honest opinion, and maliciousness.
Facebook Rule #6: If we never, ever speak and all of a sudden you jump down my throat trying to sell me stuff without getting to know me first, then delete!
Facebook Rule #7: I’m pretty sure I may have committed some of these infractions myself in the past. For that, I apologize. You have every right to delete me if you are annoyed that I’m (or I was) a hypocrite.
Facebook Rule #8: There are some freakin’ awesome programs out there that post your FB and Twitter status’, which you set to be published during certain times of the day. Therefore, if you see me post something, you write to me and I don’t respond right away, please don’t think I’m ignoring you. I just may not be online at that moment.
Facebook Rule #9: I think my friends are freakin’ AWESOME! There is something I admire about everybody on my Friends list. My friends are Motivators, Artists, Musicians, Published Authors, Bodybuilders, Models, Fitness Professionals, Charitable, Generous, Courageous, Kind and Delicious.
With that said, I am much more active on my business page, Sophie Chantal, and would be incredibly honored if you joined me there. I really AM a nice person, I promise!