AIBU WhatsApp dumping

[Covidbegone]

I am probably being over sensitive, but when you are on a WhatsApp group with a load of mates, and then out of the blue, one of the group just announces they are having a digital detox and leaving the group for ‘a while’ they might as well just say, it’s you it’s not me, you’re dumped, because hardly anyone ever rejoins when they leave do they.

As I said probably overly sensitive, but does anyone else feel like they’ve been dumped when that happens?

You’re being ridiculous!

What?

No, I don't think I'd take it personally at all. WhatsApp groups can be really overwhelming at times, and these days it gives people the ability to reach out and contact you at any point, and most people then expect an instant reply.

I wouldn't think too much into it. Maybe have a think about why your friend feels the need for a bit of detox, check in and make sure they're doing ok. Could be a lot going on their lives, and perhaps the group chat has been triggering something or they are just feeling the pressure to keep up with it, and responding is too much for them at the moment.

This has never happened to me because my friends aren’t self involved dicks! 😂

Digital detox? Surely you’d just mute notifications and put your phone down a bit more often not just lose touch with your friends.

I don't mind at all if this happens, as long as they don't then expect to be kept up to date individually with just the bits relevant to them.

YABU. It's really not about you.

I have to say I never get the people who don't just mute whatsapp groups they're not interested in. Why make a big announcement and leave. The people I know who do that are usually being dramatic.

I’m actually feeling a bit better reading these. I’ve been taking those announcements personally recently. It’s happened twice in different groups and it made me feel quite sad. But as you say, it’s probably not a direct dumping.

I have lots of friends that have done this with WhatsApp and Facebook and ALWAYS come back so it's nothing like being dumped.
One particular very opinionated and political friend of mine likes posting long diatribes about how toxic and damaging social media is, and how he's deleting all his apps to preserve his mental health, yet he always pops back up again a week later... he's done this about a dozen times now

I have to leave WhatsApp groups when my mental health is struggling. Muting the groups isnt enough. It's nothing personal

@NotOfThisWorld

I have to say I never get the people who don't just mute whatsapp groups they're not interested in. Why make a big announcement and leave. The people I know who do that are usually being dramatic.

I don't make announcements but I do leave groups. Why stay a member of something I don't want to be in?

I muted a couple of groups when my dad died, told them I wouldn't be responding to messages for a while as was muting the group.

Digital detox sounds a bit wanky but I'd assume they were possibly struggling with their mental health made worse by social media or trying to curb a phone addiction. I wouldn't assume it was about me, why would it be?

I think it's different if you're struggling with your mental health or the group is actually toxic or part of a hobby you're no longer involved with etc. I just know lots of people who are really dramatic about leaving really innocuous groups e.g. the school whatsapp group that only gets posted on once a month or a family group that again isn't even particularly active and never has contentious posts.

It’s nothing personal they just don’t want to communicate in that way.
WhatsApp groups can be annoying if a couple of people are really active but you’re not.

I wouldn't take it too personally. It's hardly the same as being romantically dumped.

How active is the group? I’ve had to mute my class watsap!

Are you friends with Gwyneth Paltrow? What kind of self-involved wankery is a 'digital detox'?

I'd reply 'alright, bye then' and not even give it a second thought, they're obviously the sort of person who expects a million 'u ok hun' type messages. Who has the fucking time to give that sort of attention seeking a second thought?

Whatsapp groups are an annoying pain in the arse and I hate being joined to one and I mute all of them. And they still annoy me.

I back out of a group as often as I can and I don't care if it offends people.

Awful invention.
What's wrong with texts?!

I don’t blame your friend. WhatsApp groups can be a nightmare and I hate that you can just get added to them without your approval Don’t take it personally, these groups can be a lot to take and I’m sure it’s not about you

I have to leave WhatsApp groups when my mental health is struggling. Muting the groups isnt enough. It's nothing personal

I'm in one and it can get busy, quite a few have the chat muted at any given time and some will leave for a bit and then ask to come back, totally understandable if they're personal life is busy and/or they're having some mental health problems too, seeing hundreds, sometimes thousands of unread messages can feel overwhelming and like a chore.

What? OP why are you taking this personally, as far as I can see this was nothing to do with you? Have you been having a lot of anxiety recently, that could be behind your feelings?

Mate, with the best will in the world, it’s not about you.

If some people step back from social media for a while, and announce it in advance so people know not to expect them to respond, good on them.

I’m too much of saddo internet junkie to do it myself, but I know I should.

You are being slightly melodramatic. Although the "digital detox" makes me laugh, just turn off notifications. Please don't take it personally, it's not you it's them.

@CovidStoleTheRainbow
It's a dated idea back from years ago when people still had capped text messages. Nowadays we have unlimited texts and calls even on the budget contracts.

I think you may be right about the anxiety. I just assume people are fed up of me. I think this has helped me to see things a bit clearer though, so thanks all