Why Facebook?

Facebook has become a vital communication tool with most of the adult population using it to some degree. I have a roster of 47 girlfriends of which only 6 are not on Facebook.  For those who are on Facebook but are not active, they can still see what the rest of us have going on and read the group party invitations. For example, most will check out my trip pictures and may comment on them through a text message or when we are together. Some of my closest friends refuse to use Facebook: at least one is technology resistant, and another eschews it due to politics—which I get. But I find the benefits far outweigh the negatives. 

I wonder if those who dismiss Facebook realize what they are missing? Do they know that they can simply have a Facebook account, using an assumed name (as one of my friends does), and they never have to post or respond? That way they can still see what is going on.

One of my non-Facebook friends wants me to send her pictures of my trips and/or parties. I tell her it is on Facebook. Another gets frustrated when I see pictures of her grandchildren before she does. She thinks her daughters-in-law should send her the photos directly—but they feel that they’ve already posted them and shouldn’t have to also send them individually.

So, why should people use Facebook?

Connect with Friends and Family

Keeping up with friends and family is the most common use for Facebook. My personal examples above play into this. After all, Facebook’s mission is “to help people stay connected with friends and family, understand what’s going on in the world, and express what they feel.” I have rediscovered friends from different phases of my life through Facebook. That friend may have commented on a post from a mutual friend on which I also commented. We reconnect, become “friends,” and can be as involved with one another as we choose. Though I post a lot on Facebook, one doesn’t have to. They don’t kick you off if you are not an active user. One caveat: don’t post anything on Facebook that you wouldn’t want on the front page of the New York Times—not that they are watching, but it is just a good rule of thumb.

News

Many people get their news from Facebook. We may have certain pundits whose opinions we value and, therefore, follow. While I am, historically, a news junkie, from time to time, I get disgusted with it and go on a news fast. I figure, if anything important happens, I’ll see it on Facebook. I do. There is also a specific option for news.

Inspiration

Many Facebook users post daily prayers (or requests for prayer), Bible verses, or inspirational stories or quotes. When I posted on Facebook asking for people to share why they liked it, Kate Wiggins Ediger said: “Inspiration and uplifting stories–if you follow the right pages. But saying that, one post may make you smile and the post below it makes you lose faith in all humanity. It’s not balanced.”

Dating

Several of my single friends use the Facebook dating platform. They like it because it allows them to see if they have any friends in common, check the person out, and read what they post. They have met some nice guys and, in some cases, developed long-term friendships. No love, so far.

Groups

Non-Facebook users are generally unaware of the “Groups” benefit. My girlfriends and I have a Facebook group page. We use it primarily as a depository of photos from our fun activities and a bulletin board. If someone was unable to attend an event, she can experience it vicariously through the pictures. If we have furniture to sell or are looking for a doctor, we post it on our group page. All our party invitations are also posted there in the “Event” section and our members RSVP through that function. Our page is a private group and only members can see it. But there are other groups that are geared more toward the public.

Two that I use a lot are the LBK Foodies group and Recommendations And Small Business Advertising in Lubbock. (Wherever you live, there are likely similar groups in your area.) For the Foodies group, I often post questions about local restaurants. Recently, I asked about a restaurant near the movie theater my girlfriends and I are going to. I had never been there. We were inundated with responses and now have a reservation there. I also learn about new restaurants through the page. I like to support local and my friends and I often dine at places we learned about through the group posts.

For the Recommendations page, I respond to posts about people wanting remodeling done. I actually get quite a bit of work through this page. When I see a remodeling post, I ask my friends to go to the page and give me a good review. I also post when I am looking for something and receive helpful suggestions.

Just search for “Groups” on Facebook or ask your friends what groups they are in that might be helpful.

Events

We used to learn about community activities through the newspaper or radio. Today, Facebook updates us. Just do a search for “Events” and add your town’s name and you will find all kinds of things you can go to. Earlier this month, I had a friend visiting. She has a sister who has recently moved to a new town and hasn’t made any friends. My friend commented on how, in eight years in Lubbock, I’ve gone from having no friends to having a spreadsheet of 47 friends (that will be another post). I asked if her sister had a Facebook account. “Yes, but she doesn’t use it. She doesn’t want all her life exposed.” Again, you do not have to post anything, and you can still benefit. She could find out about concerts, shows, wine tastings—and there she could meet people with mutual interests. Some of the women with whom I am friends became acquainted in just this way.

Marketplace

This is the “Want Ads” of our day. I currently have a bedroom furniture set that I want to sell posted on Marketplace. I get rid of all kinds of things this way. Some I post as “Free”, others I price fairly. Occasionally, I buy. There are other local “groups” that are dedicated to buying and selling. Join them!

Business

As I already mentioned, I get a good bit of remodeling business from Facebook. I always post before and after photos of my jobs and pictures of my artwork. I have a business Facebook page for both enterprises. Donnella Looger shares: “My book editing business really took off during Covid and virtually all my clients found me on Facebook. It’s also a great way for me to help them find new readers.”

Memories

Nick Harrison (an editor with whom I used to work and now stay in touch with through Facebook) told me: “I like the See Your Memories feature, often reminding me of nearly forgotten past events.” Yet another fun aspect of Facebook and unless you opt to share them, only you see them.  

 Then, of course, there are the cat videos. 

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Marita has spent the majority of her adult life working with women—helping them improve relationships, achieve their speaking and writing dreams, and being the best version of themselves they can possibly be. The author of 20 books, this Living Our Best Life Project is her newest effort—through which she hopes to challenge women to be fulfilled where they are.