Comments on: Unfollow a Friend to Keep a Friend?

By: LisaNotes

LisaNotes — Sun, 29 Jan 2017 00:56:05 +0000

In reply to Lori Schumaker. You make a valid point, Lori: we've eliminated the time buffer that would help us calm down in between attacks. It is now as constant an onslaught as we'll allow. That means it's up to us to discipline ourselves to stay off and set those working boundaries. Not an easy task. It's a whole new world for all of us, yes? But I know God always makes a way for us to love each other and work things out. Thanks for your encouraging words!

By: LisaNotes

LisaNotes — Sun, 29 Jan 2017 00:53:58 +0000

In reply to Cathy. Keeping the peace is our goal, yes? I'd rather not have to unfollow anyone, but we do what we have to do for now. Sigh. Hopefully it will get less divisive as the year goes on. Thanks for sharing, Cathy.

By: Lori Schumaker

Lori Schumaker — Sat, 28 Jan 2017 13:06:15 +0000

Lisa, you touched on such a common struggle right now. A division unlike any other we’ve ever experienced in our country. And I do think the deep thread of anger has been fueled by social media. Before we could disagree, but our arguments were limited to the healthy face-to-face discussions like you mentioned. Now the differing opinions are being thrown at us 24/7 giving us no time to cool down and think rationally! It also provides a platform that sadly for many empowers in a negative way. The unfollowing, muting, and deleting is such a healthy option for setting needed boundaries! Thanks, friend, for being a voice of reason and a blessing!
Lori

By: Cathy

Cathy — Fri, 27 Jan 2017 22:40:30 +0000

I’ve had to unfollow some on Facebook as well. It’s the best option to keep the peace, as I too get upset when I see people angrily pushing their point of view.

I, like you, would much rather talk in person.

By: LisaNotes

LisaNotes — Fri, 27 Jan 2017 20:42:31 +0000

In reply to Jean Wise. Yes, it is disappointing how politics is ruining friendships so much the past year. :( I really don't like using avoidance of it as my go-to approach, but right now that's just where I am. I'm not as far along in maturity as I'd like to think I am.

By: LisaNotes

LisaNotes — Fri, 27 Jan 2017 20:34:04 +0000

In reply to Kelly Chripczuk.

Beautiful words, Kelly. You’re right that we do need to stay aware of the real goal, which is always love. “Stay graceful and proceed with love” – great advice for any area of our lives!

By: LisaNotes

LisaNotes — Fri, 27 Jan 2017 18:06:19 +0000

In reply to Susan.

Unfriend does sound mean, I agree, Susan. 🙁 I’d prefer a nicer way to phrase that as well. I’m finding that I’m more tentative about friending someone in the first place so I won’t have to unfriend them later. 🙂

Your qualifications for unfriending someone sounds very fair and reasonable. This made me smile because I relate:
““Thanks” to FB, I often find myself feeling unkindly about people who I’d ordinarily not think about at all. I really dislike that!”
Me, too. It is quite the modern dilemma! I suppose we haven’t had time to work through the kinks yet. Thanks for sharing your wise thoughts, Susan.

By: Jean Wise

Jean Wise — Fri, 27 Jan 2017 02:12:51 +0000

you are right; it is different this year. I have ‘hide’ posts from so many and personally avoid any mention of politics in what I write. Disappointing how this has changed this year and ruined friendships.

By: Kelly Chripczuk

Kelly Chripczuk — Wed, 25 Jan 2017 22:04:59 +0000

Thanks for sharing your wisdom on this real struggle. So many layers to think about, but always the real goal has to be knowing and loving each other. This will be a season of real learning for all of us if we stay graceful and proceed with love.

By: Susan

Susan — Wed, 25 Jan 2017 18:04:12 +0000

I *do* unfriend on FB — honestly, I dislike that it’s termed “unfriend.” Just sounds so … mean! But here’s why I do it: if I “hide” a person, while I don’t see what they’re doing, they still see what I’m doing. It’s likely my posts and “likes” are showing up for them, and are annoying/stressing them just as I’m feeling. I unfriended 3 or 4 people over the weekend over this issue. These were people who I do not see in real life, and who I haven’t seen in decades. Most were friends from high school who I don’t even know anymore. “Thanks” to FB, I often find myself feeling unkindly about people who I’d ordinarily not think about at all. I really dislike that! And while in some ways I’d like to get off FB altogether, I still stick around. It’s a very modern dilemma.