Checking in

I admit it. I’m one of those people who feel the need to constantly ‘check in’ on Facebook. I’ve had ‘friends’ ask me why I do this. Why do I think people care where I am? Am I that self-centered? Frankly, I think some of the people on my ‘friend’ list who read my status updates and think everything I post is for their benefit are a bit self-centered themselves.

You see, I don’t check in on Facebook because I want you to know where I am. I don’t check in on Facebook because I think you should care what I am doing every second of every day. Like most things I do, including updating my Facebook status, I do it for my own benefit.

For example, I often share articles to my wall, not because I want you to read them, but because I want to be able to access them easily later when I need them. It’s simply easier than storing huge stacks of printed articles, magazines, and news clippings in my tiny apartment. I also upload all of my photos to Facebook because it’s a convenient place to store them. I really don’t care if you look at them or not.

I also like to look at the map on my timeline and see all of the places I’ve been. I get a sense of satisfaction when I can look at my map and see that I’ve been out of the house a lot this month. That’s a big achievement for me, considering I spent 10 years trapped in the house while I was married. Or, if I haven’t gotten out much, it inspires me to put down my laptop and take a break from work so I can get out and add another place to the places I’ve been.

My question is, why do some people believe everything that shows up in their news feed was written specifically for them? And why do they insist on subscribing to people who they believe update their status too often? If you don’t care to know what I’m doing, hide me from your newsfeed. Chances are, I’ve already hidden you from mine.

So, to answer that question… Yes, I am that self-centered. Just not in the way you think.

How often is too often to update your status? Do you ‘hide’ friends who post too much? What criteria must your friends meet to stay in your newsfeed? Please share your thoughts in the comments below.

Mandy Webster