Hi friend.

Two days ago, I came to an epiphany that my Facebook and Twitter accounts are causing me more stress than pleasure in keeping them. This was triggered by certain events that led me to burn bridges with friends because of those social media rather than nurture connections through it.

 I miss the feeling of wondering what my friends and family are up to. I miss the feeling of missing someone because honestly, I feel I am with the person I'm following in Twitter, 24/7, especially if this person tweets every action they do or every little senseless thought that crosses their minds...those I'm not really interested in. But since I'm following them, I feel I am oblidged or pushed to absorb everything. This led me to grow tired of those social media.

In Twitter and in Facebook, everything is rolled out: every picture, thought, update, opinion or location is shared that there is no room for "wonder". It's like receiving postcards even if the person is not on holiday or the person is really not close to you. It also feels like I am in a middle of a park where every friend has a podium, and they're all speaking at the same time.

Everyone is just blabbing, sometimes, like a crazy person because they're the only ones who can understand their thoughts or "what's in their minds". The reason why we listen is because we are interested. But when someone talks and talks, just like when someone carelessly posts, I feel don't need to care or pay attention. Beyond that, when the messages they send causes me stress (like insulting posts, rude comments), I'd think, "I don't f*cking need this."

So, thank you for about four wonderful years for following me in Twitter and befriending me in Facebook, together with all online activity that comes with it, like liking, commenting, favoriting, mentioning, etc. I feel nostalgic when I think about the good old days of the internet when everyone was so nice and unassuming. But those days are long gone...probably by the time when everyone ridiculed a beautiful thirteen year old for singing a song called "Friday", and when everyone became "keyboard samurais" as my friend said in describing people who are very brave and cocky in the internet but are in fact losers in real life.

I will get to catch up with you in a more interpersonal way, through text, call or even through a cup of coffee or buckets of cold beer. We would have so much to talk about because you didn't know about my recent hiking adventure through Facebook and my ah-huh moments in Twitter. I'd have so much to ask you because I didn't know your baby kicked for the first time and that while in the elevator you suddenly remembered your ex.

I will no long follow, or lurk in Facebook land, peering over other peoples' lives. No longer would I be obliged to absorb messages that are not really for me.

If you want me to know what you're up to or what you're feeling, find a way to reach me and not share it to the rest of your friends list. And I'd do the same. I'd let YOU know. That's why I only share this blog address to those who I believe would be genuinely interested. Rest assured, my posts here are those that I really want to share with you, from my heart and my sober mind.

I am taking this personal revolution because I want to discover myself and the people in my life again, not in front of the computer screen, but through more sincere, personal means.

I feel much better already by saying these out loud. I hope to see you soon.