I don’t know about you, but I distinctly remember a time—not too long ago—when I thought people had a slight aversion to internet addicts. I, too, shared that sentiment of disdain. I vividly recall resisting the itch to log on, fueled by a proud teenage rebellion that pushed me to the fringes rather than into the mainstream. My earliest blog entries from 2003 are snapshots of my reluctance to leap into the cold, digital waters. There was just something about spending my days tethered to a computer screen instead of actually “living” in the real world that made me uneasy. I didn’t want to be labeled a geek—not that I think there’s anything wrong with it today. Honestly, in this age, everyone’s a geek in one way or another.

Fast forward to the present, and all my noble intentions have crumbled into dust. I’ve had accounts on LiveJournal, Friendster, Hipstir, MySpace, Multiply, WordPress, Facebook, Twitter—you name it, I’ve dabbled in it at some point, and some I still do. I’m fairly certain I’ve left a few out of that dizzying list. And while we’re at it, let’s not even begin to count my multitude of email accounts and instant messengers.

It’s official: I’ve become an internet addict, and there’s no turning back.

Among all the social media platforms I use to showcase my thoughts and whims, LiveJournal remains my absolute favorite. Bar none. There was something about LiveJournal that had a pulse—a unique energy that allowed strangers to forge intimate connections and share confidences like it was a communal therapy session. Back in the early aughts, when the LiveJournal user base was small enough that you could encounter most users at some point, it created a sense of community that feels almost mythical today. It was on LiveJournal that the incredible Meryn Cadell “friended” me, and let me tell you, that shot me straight to euphoria! I have a treasure trove of wonderful memories from my time on LJ. I used to say I had a love-hate relationship with it, but now, in retrospect, all I feel is love and appreciation for what I can only describe as the glory days of blogging. Too bad, it’s dead now.

Next to LiveJournal, I suppose Facebook comes in a close second as my favorite. I created my Facebook account back in late 2007 with my old email, stereotypephobic (cringe-worthy, I know). But it wasn’t until January 2009 that I, like the rest of the world, got hopelessly hooked. Yet, much like every other social networking site I’ve felt compelled to join, Facebook isn’t without its fair share of flaws. As brilliantly explored in “The Social Network,” the early days of a social platform are often more about prestige and cachet than genuine connection. It’s a bit like lining up to get into the hottest club; there has to be enough allure and just the right amount of hype to make people outside want to join in.

What once turned me and much of the world off from MySpace and Friendster has now reared its ugly head on—gasp!—Facebook. Recently, my Facebook activity consists mostly of blocking online shops, useless apps, and reporting spam, rather than actually engaging with users. I don’t know about you, but I like my News Feed neat and functional. It drives me up the wall to see endless “fashionista” shops cluttering my feed with “branded” and “pre-loved” (let’s be real, “pre-loved” might as well mean “full of germs”) clothes and trinkets. Plus, I’m pretty sure none of these online businesses pay taxes, which is a massive injustice to legitimate shops trying to make a living. But then again, maybe I just need to tidy up my friends list. To date, I’ve blocked a staggering number of people, shops, and apps—Facebook doesn’t keep count, but if I had to guess, it’s easily over 2,000. Yet, deep down, I know this is a losing battle.

I do take some comfort in the fact that Facebook insists users write their names with the first letter capitalized, as proper names should be. But somehow, the determined ones have figured out how to circumvent that little rule. So now I have friends with questionably chosen characters messing up their names. Why would anyone want to do that? It’s baffling!

I’m so over Facebook.

When Friendster—the now-defunct social networking site that once held sway in Southeast Asia—first emerged, the internet landscape was vastly different. Back then, having internet at home was more of a novelty than a necessity. In the Philippines, where connection speeds were akin to molasses and not every household had internet access, Friendster was genuinely cool. Those who could afford home internet were the pioneers of social networking. But it didn’t take long for the masses to catch on, and soon, Friendster morphed into a playground for users who typed LiKe DiS. What started as a haven for a select few gradually transformed into a chaotic jungle of trends and fads that made me question my past judgments.

Now, as I sit here contemplating these digital relics, I realize this post was originally meant to segue into what I really wanted to discuss: Google+ (Google Plus). Obviously, it took on a life of its own. I guess I’ll tackle that later. For now, I need some sleep. After all, navigating this digital landscape takes its toll, and even internet addicts need to recharge.