Dear Facebook Friends;

The time has come for me to say goodbye.

I’ve been using Facebook since the first time I was in university, signing up with the hope that it would help me build real connections. Over the years, I clung to that hope, but unfortunately, Facebook never created the meaningful relationships I was searching for.

I've realized that Facebook adds no real value to my life. I've experimented with it in various ways, hoping it could offer something unique, but time and again, it has led me down endless rabbit holes. The effort, energy, and time I’ve invested just aren’t worth the little I’ve gotten in return.

Maybe I’ve missed the point, or maybe I just value different things. For me, the in-person connections and time spent with people mean far more than any virtual interaction. I find more fulfillment in real-life conversations, handshakes, printed photos, and shared stories than in a digital network where I’m constantly marketed to, and “friends” are made with little effort or sincerity.

But please, don’t misunderstand me—Facebook offers no value to me, but my Friends (the real ones, not the “friends”) mean the world to me. The people who truly matter—those I meet in person, share laughs with, and help out—cannot be replaced or replicated by Facebook. While Facebook might facilitate some connections, I believe it ultimately does more harm than good to the relationships I hold dear.

In the past, I’ve said I was leaving Facebook but never followed through. This time is different. After a lot of self-reflection, I’ve come to understand what truly contributes to my happiness and quality of life. Facebook doesn’t make the cut—in fact, it detracts from it.

So, it’s with little regret that I’m choosing to leave Facebook. I’m optimistic about the future and excited for what it holds, without the need for Facebook or its version of “friends.”

To those I regularly communicate with on Facebook—through chat, wall posts, or other means—I want to say this:

To my sister, who finds Facebook messaging convenient: my phone is always on. To Amy, whom I didn’t get to know well enough when we lived closer: I’ll keep sending snail mail. To Niki, who I’ve struggled to stay in touch with: our dogs will play together in real life one day, not just virtually.

And to my true Friends and family, I have a phone that’s ready to ring, a front door that’s always open, a cold beer to share, and a picnic blanket big enough for more than one.

As for my “friends”—I wish you all the best. I’m sure that once I’m gone, I’ll be replaced with five other “friends” in no time at all.

Cheers, Kevin

P.S. I’ll be leaving my account active until the end of the year (2011) for anyone (aka Friends) who wants to exchange phone numbers or mailing addresses.