During this year, I’ve really come to accept the fact that Facebook is not a good space for me personally. Typically I come away from it feeling angry and annoyed. Yet I don’t want to completely delete it because it is a way to keep up with friends. I’ve blocked it on my phone on and off throughout the year and whenever I have, I’ve gained a peace of mind that feels amazing. Recently I’ve gotten back into an app that a friend of mine introduced me to over a year ago. The difference has been amazing. This app is called Longwalks.

So what exactly is Longwalks? It’s an app that asks one question or has one fill-in-the-blank statement daily. Each day has a specific theme to the question. Sunday is gratitude, Monday is mindfulness, Tuesday is truth, etc. There are even “clubs” that you can join, which are basically groups, that have a question a day as well. You can comment on other people’s posts. Some of the clubs I’ve joined are Affirmations, Mental Health, and Breakups & Healing.

The whole point of this app is to ask deep, meaningful questions that cause reflection. I’ve noticed that the questions really make me think about my life on a deeper level. Sometimes I really have to dig deep on simple questions, like what I’m thankful for, who inspires me, and how I can be more mindful.

Why is Facebook such a toxic place for me personally? There are a ton of ads. There are groups that are made in the name of mudslinging. False information is shared on a daily basis. While a good discussion about politics is healthy, the ugly side of people tend to come out on Facebook. I’ve caught myself getting swept up in the middle of debates and had my fair share of immaturity on the site.

In short, Facebook has mainly become a battle ground and a place for people to rant. I’m guilty as charged. Every so often I post a rant and when I get backlash, I remember why I’m trying to take a step back so often.

That’s not to say everything on Facebook is deplorable. I still get on (only on my laptop) in order to work on my blog’s Facebook page. There are other groups that I’m a part of that I like to check in on occasionally. The messenger app has also been a great way to stay in touch with people. I’ve linked my personal Instagram account to my Facebook page so people can still get updates. Instagram has been a much more positive app for me, so I tend to post on there somewhat regularly.

Also, to be honest, another reason I’m trying to stay away from Facebook is because it’s too tempting to try to find my ex. Going no contact post breakup has been one of the hardest things I’ve ever done, but I know I need to in order to heal fully. Some of my worst anxiety and moments over the last year have been triggered because I’ve looked for my ex to find out how he’s doing. Once I consciously decided to block Facebook in an effort to not look, my anxiety has lessened and I’ve felt lighter.

I have friends who have a very positive experience with Facebook and I’m very happy for them that it’s such a good resource for them. This year has taught me, though, that we really do need to look at the social media we consume and cut out the things that don’t add any value to our lives.

Longswalks tries to add value by asking those thought provoking questions. I think because the app based on guided questions it’s a much more positive space. I’ve certainly gotten a lot more out of it as I’ve consistently used it. Another cool feature is that the end of the week brings a “Weekly Roundup” of your answers, so it can act like a journal of sorts.

If you’re looking for some social media that’s more wholesome and grounding, I highly recommend checking out Longwalks. It’s one app I haven’t regretted downloading.