I have what I would guess to be the about average amount of friends on Facebook. Friends from high school, acquaintances from high school, people I knew from church growing up, friends from college, sorority sisters, current friends and neighbors, ex co-workers, blog buddies and of course family! But, how often do I actually interact with all 571 of these people? These so called “friends” I have? How often do you actually reach out to those people you are friends with on Facebook?
So here’s my idea- every day for a year I plan to wish a “Happy Birthday” to every person on my friends list. If they don’t have their birthday listed and I don’t know it from memory then they won’t get a birthday wish, of course, but if they do they will! I have been toying with this idea for awhile now and I feel like since its a new year, when better to start?
I started this 2 days ago and plan to continue through the end of the year! If I forget or miss a day for whatever reason, it’s no big deal, but I will try my hardest to follow through. And I am really curious to see what happens! Will I start to see more of my friend’s updates in my feed? Who knows?
Happy Birthday Everyone!
This month’s super sponsor:
I feel bad starting this party off with a sad note, but here's my reason why I don't do this.
Somebody close to me died last year. Recently their first birthday not with us occurred. This person's wall had a handful of random "Happy Birthday!"'s, but also a few messages like "I hope its the best one yet!" "Have a great special day". I wanted to leap through the computer and scream at them, "are you stupid, or do you just not care?" I didn't end up saying anything, but it was really upsetting.
Oh wow sorry about that. I'll be sure to check for that first!!
I always wish people on my friends list happy birthday. Even if I don't talk to them, it's literally 15 seconds out of my day to send good wishes to someone else.
I feel really silly saying this, but I do this every day if I see the listing (or if I know for sure, it's a friend's or relative's birthday). I think birthdays are to be happy occasions. And, for some reason, it really feels good to offer the birthday greeting! I really am grateful for reconnecting with people on FB.
However, I'm definitely going to keep in mind what Luca said above. I don't think I've come across that situation, but there's always a first time, and it's hard when you're grieving and a birthday comes up.
Excellent idea! I try to do this but maybe I should be more mindful of it! I love my birthday on FB – it's so fun to see who sends the b-day wishes!!
if i'm on FB and notice it's someone's birthday I always wish them a happy birthday, it takes like 5 seconds so i figured why not? that's a good goal to start though!
This is an interesting idea! Every time I get a birthday notification, I realize that it's probably time to clear out my friend's list.