What Your Facebook Status says About You

Statuses can be like comb-overs

We all know what you’re trying to do, and it just isn’t working.

According to Steve Hofstetter, no you have not.  You love drama.

Sigh. Social media is making us all a bunch of dorks.  It’s time we take our power back.

Who’s with me?!  Eh??  Eh???

Social media is an incredible phenomenon and has the power to alter the course of all of our lives, for good and bad, depending on how we use it.  It effects how we interact with each other, receive and distribute information, and build, develop and maintain personal and professional relationships.

That’s a big deal, right?

There are many articles that address Facebook statuses and “what they really mean.”  Some are humorous articles that call out Facebook status faux pas.

I recognized all of them.  I was guilty of some of them.

In the YouTube video I’ve posted below, the woman raises a great question.  If you died, this moment,  what would your Facebook status say about you?

Oh, that’s a good question.

Some experts have determined that unknowingly, our statuses can reveal something about ourselves we didn’t intend to expose.

Like – loneliness, desperation, neediness, anger and low self-esteem.

Uh oh.

I have admit, I tend to agree.  Some FB statuses make me nervous.  Mostly its the statuses that are best kept privately, in a journal. A journal that’s kept in a drawer.  Locked.  And eventually burned.

I’m not a psychologist, but I do fancy myself a social researcher.  Sort of.  And I have a few Facebook Status DOs and DONTs.  The following have been collected from several different websites and/or are observations made from myself or others.

Feel free to take ‘em or leave ‘em.  Or better yet, leave some of your own observations in the comments below!

DONTs

DON’T talk about your hookups or your sex life.

Don’t be gross.  Keep it private.

DON’T status in anger.

You’ll probably regret it.  Besides, is FB the appropriate place to tell the world you’re fighting, hating, or currently wishing someone was dead?

DON’T fish for compliments or sympathy.

It’s obvious and can make you look needy.  If you need some love, try seeking it from good friends off Facebook.  When I need someone to tell me I’m amazing, I usually go to my husband or my best friend. Or better yet, my mom.  They tell me everything I want to hear and it makes me feel fabulous.

DON’T put your personal relationships on blast.

Sometimes people do this, but leave it vague.  As if most of us don’t know who you’re talking about?  Don’t be mean.  Keep your personal relationship woes … well … personal. Not doing so can make you look immature.  Besides, it’s the right thing to do.

DON’T post party pics, or use inappropriate language

This mostly pertains to you if your FB friends with relatives, co-workers or bosses that may frown upon your behavior.  People have lost jobs over those kind of antics. Remember, pictures posted on the Internet will NEVER GO AWAY.  Scary, but true.

DON’T make your wall a Glamour Shots photo session.

What was that sound? I think I just heard women cringing all over the nation.

Calm down, I’m not talking about you.  Well, I might be, but please don’t misunderstand me – most of us enjoy seeing great pictures of our friends whether it’s a group shot or something they took alone in their room.  I like posting pictures of myself as much as the next person.  I like pics where I look great, look like I’m having fun, or I’m being goofy and showing my personality.  But be careful not to become obsessed.

A good question to ask is, “What am I trying to say with this photo?”

Are you being artistic? Are you trying to relay a particular emotion?  Are you trying to look professional? Are you showing your friends something fun, interesting, or special about you?  Or, are you just trying to post the hottest pictures of yourself as possible, as much as possible?  None of these reasons are a bad thing, but one of them translates as a self-esteem issue.  I’ll let you figure out which one.  It may not be true, but remember, perception is reality.

How will your post be perceived?

DON’T tell me what you’re eating for lunch.

Nobody cares.

DOs

DO share funny, interesting, helpful or entertaining information.

DO share your talents

Whether it be art, music, writing, or putting a smile on someone’s face.

DO be positive and uplifting.

Make someone’s day!

DO keep people posted on what’s new with you or your family

This is perhaps one of the greatest aspects of Facebook.  Staying connected!

DO share information, websites, blogs or articles that you enjoy or are important to you.

Not only is your profile an expression of you, but so are your interests.  Share them!

DO make people laugh.

Please make me laugh.

DO inspire, uplift, support and spread love.

I might be having a crappy day.  Can you make it better?

So, if you dropped dead …

Besides making sure your friends remove everything from your room or apartment that you don’t want your parents to find … what would you leave as your Facebook legacy?

Tagged as: Dos and Donts, Facebook, Facebook Status, self-esteem