Have A Happy Facebook

It's Facebook's tenth birthday today, so it seems like an appropriate time, once the mandatory lamenting of Mark Zuckerberg's success is done with, to post about having a happy Facebook.

Facebook actually seems to bring about quite a bit of distress for some people. From jealousy over other people's seemingly perfect lives (they're as un-perfect as yours, they're just not posting the bad bits, same as you), to being tagged in unflattering pictures, to the angry backlash from a spur of the moment status that should have been more thought - there seem to be a never ending amount of problems.

But I always argue that it's not Facebook that causes problems, it's the way people use it. Here's a quote from one of my favourite Facebook pages, Buddhist Boot Camp:

"I invite you to make your own Facebook page a source of positivity and inspiration for others. We are over-exposed to fear and negativity through all other forms of media, so don't use social media for more of the same... Instead of complaining on here, judging or belittling others, make sure that when someone lands on your page or sees your posts, they are uplifted, inspired, and look forward to hearing from you again." - Timber Hawkeye

So inspired by this, here's a list of things we can all do to make Facebook more of a hive of happiness, without jealousy, anger or upset.

1. Think before you post. Allow me to share another quote from Buddhist Boot Camp:

"Before speaking (or typing), ask yourself these three questions: 

Is what I'm about to say true? 

Is what I'm about to say necessary? 

Is what I'm about to say kind? 

If it's not, then don't say it, email it or text it.. eventually you won't even think it. Make this a new habit and you'll immediately be contributing to an honest, sincere, and gossip-free world! 

Be part of the solution by not being part of the pollution!"

2. If someone continuously posts gossiping, bitter, or hurtful statuses, there's no reason why you can't unfriend them... unless they are actually your close friends or family, in which case if you don't want to cause upset you could simply hide their updates from your wall.

3. Follow pages that inspire you or make you laugh

4. Complain less, and post more about what makes you happy.

5. Remember that other people only post the good parts of their life on Facebook. People may seem like they have a lot to gloat about and nothing to worry about, but everyone has their own struggles that they don't talk about online. Don't compare your bad days to the good moments they post on Facebook.