Letter to Facebook

Dear Facebook,

You’ve been a part of my life for a while. I remember a friend excitedly introducing me to you at an internship. At first glance, I thought you were boring, stiff, and too structured. I was still attached to Multiply. I didn’t want another distraction. But you did grow on me. We grew together. I’ve made friends and re-connected with acquaintances through you.

The more time I spent with you, the more hooked I got. You were sometimes clever, sometimes stupid, and sometimes informative with the things you’ve shared. I could even find out more about people through you. It was really fun. You even ask me all the time, what’s on my mind. I appreciate that. Plus, you made sure I never forgot a friend’s birthday. I liked those thoughtful little reminders.

But spending time with you became overwhelming. There were moments I felt that my feelings were being toyed, like that one time you shared a sad story about a war veteran being arrested. As I was crying, you showed me an inappropriate meme, and I laughed. You can’t expect me to switch emotionally that fast. Have some consideration, please.

I was distracted from my priorities too. It was unhealthy to see you first thing in the morning and the last thing at night. And the more you shared about the lives of others, the more I compared it to mine. It was partly my fault too because I lacked focus.

I had to distance myself because it was getting toxic. I had to delete you from my life. After a while, I became content. It was good. But I realize that I needed you to connect with my friends.

I’ve seen you change. Some for better like that time you introduced memories and made me recall past years. You’ve also informed me about events and made them more accessible. These are the moments I'm glad you're around, Facebook. You also became more emotionally mature because you allowed me to react in different ways. I also liked you allowed me to unfollow people but not unfriend them. It’s like you thought things through.

However, what I don’t like about you is that it became all about business. You’ve used some information I’ve shared to become targeted for things I don’t even want. I'd also like to include that you're so selective in what information I’m exposed to. There was even an occasion you've shared fake news. I should be wary of you.

Honestly, I don’t know what you’re trying to be now. You try to act playful like Snapchat and IG with those second-rate filters and stories, but it doesn’t quite suit you. I know you’re too strategic for your own good. You tend to be gimmicky, like the time you developed Facebook dating. Frankly, it isn’t what I’m looking for with you, and my reaction was to laugh and cringe. Even though I’ve created lots of memories with you Facebook, I think we outgrew each other. It’s time we consider going on separate timelines. It may be for the best. Sincerely, Nina Fides Garcia