While Facebook can make us feel connected and socially happy, at times it can put us down and take a toll on our well-being.
If you’re an active Facebooker, you may be engaging in self-destructive behavior without even realizing it. By identifying what causes these negative feelings, you can battle this virtual self-harm to stay happy and have a better social network experience.
Here’s a list of the 12 most self-destructive things we can do on Facebook.
1. Browsing old photos and messages that involve your ex.
Thanks to Facebook albums and saved messages, you can easily take a trip down memory lane to nostalgically ponder what you once had. You’ll quickly come to realize that going through the digital remains of your failed relationships isn’t so beneficial.
Discipline yourself to not wallow in the past, or better yet, delete the evidence to move on permanently. You wouldn’t want your future prospect to look at those photos anyway.
2. Stalking your ex’s new significant other.
Anyone who says he hasn’t stalked his ex’s new partner’s profile is lying. However, keeping tabs on your former flame is dangerous. A study shows that Facebook stalking your ex after a breakup can delay emotional recovery and personal growth.
3. Counting how many birthday wall posts you received.
It’s that exciting time of year when notifications flood your Facebook. But the downfall is that many people tend to associate the number of birthday greetings with how popular they are. If you find yourself comparing the numbers of birthday posts on your wall over the years or counting them the day after your birthday, stop. You shouldn’t evaluate the quality of your birthday and social life by these posts.
4. Reading your old statuses.
That awkward moment when you read your old status and ask yourself, “What was I thinking?” Whether it was using a ton of exclamation points, tAlKiN LyK dIs b4 U kNeW iT l00ked dUmB or ending every status with “text me,” you’ll be glad to know you weren’t alone.
5. Back-stalking old tagged photos of yourself.
You’re Facebook surfing and happen to stumble upon an old photo of yourself, otherwise known as a less attractive version of yourself. You begin to search actively for more photos, and then wonder why you loved Abercrombie so much and realize how ridiculous the duck face really looks. Save yourself the embarrassment by untagging these kinds of photos.
6. Looking at photos of everyone hanging out without you.
Your News Feed won’t hold back from letting you know five of your friends are tagged together in a photo. Then, it hits you as you’re curled up on your couch: Everyone is hanging out without you. Save yourself the unnecessary FOMO — hide these photos from your feed or disconnect.
7. Posting during important events when you shouldn’t be on Facebook.
If you’re giving social media play-by-plays — uploading photos while in labor, during graduations or while you’re on your honeymoon — rethink the way you use Facebook. Sometimes bombarding your friends’ stream with posts can come off as annoying, and there’s a fine line of what should be kept private and what should be shared with your Facebook community.
8. Accidentally sending a Facebook request to someone you hardly know.
If you’re going to creep on someone, try to make it less obvious. Adding a friend unintentionally sends the message you were (most likely) stalking her Timeline. You can cancel the request, but she’ll still receive an email if she signed up for email notifications.
After that happens, crawl into a hole and stay there.
9. Posting a bad photo of a friend and being on her bad side for a week.
We’ve all committed our owns act of “photo sabotage,” in which we upload unflattering photos of our friends. Losing a friend because of an unattractive photo you posted of him or her isn’t worth it. After all, you wouldn’t want anyone to post a bad photo of you.
10. Posting sad statuses as cries for attention.
If you’re sad, you are sad. Let’s be honest, people don’t want to hear your problems via Facebook. And if nobody “likes” the status or comments, you’ll most likely feel even worse, and more insecure.
11. Accidently tagging someone you haven’t talked to in years.
We’ve all done it. As soon as this happens, click “Edit” on your photo and click the “X” next to the person’s name you want to untag. Then, try not to feel too embarrassed.
12. Posting a status in a time of frustration, and regretting it after you’ve calmed down.
We’re all capable of going on emotional tirades when we’re frustrated, and some of us can’t hold back on Facebook. In the heat of the moment, you may post something you regret or feel like an idiot for later. Passive-aggressive quotes, misspelled words and snarky comments all fall into this category. Next time, think before you post, and use your common sense.
Source: Mashable