So long

Today I made a totally crazy decision that may affect the shop in a negative way, but it's one I had to make. I removed most of the shops social media and shared a post on FB giving followers and customers fair warning that I shall be deleting our account on the 31st of this month. Actually, in all honesty I'm not sure it will really make that much difference, for I get about only a dozen people interact on a regular basis, so I'm quite sure most of our posts aren't seen anyway!

 
"In light of recent developments within Meta, and after witnessing an appalling gesture yesterday from someone Meta have no associated themselves with, I have decided - likely not the best business move - to withdraw my support and platform from a company willing to align itself with such behaviour. I cannot, in good conscience, stand by a corporation whose revised policies leave individuals who don’t conform to specific categories vulnerable to mistreatment and abuse.

Social media has undeniably provided an incredible space for connection - bringing families and friends closer, and offering businesses like ours a way to reach new and existing customers while showcasing our work. However, over time, it has increasingly become a source of division. Platforms once meant for sharing have devolved into spaces filled with clickbait, political bias, and unchecked falsehoods. Meta-owned platforms have become particularly problematic, now refusing to fact-check posts and inundating us with targeted ads, misleading news, and divisive content. What was once a safe place to share has turned into a breeding ground for anger and hatred.
 
I refuse to accept a world, whilst actively enabling a social media site where individuals who don’t fit into a predefined mold feel unwelcome or unsafe. I don’t want to see my feed flooded with rage and hostility, and though I know there are still wonderful people spreading positivity, love, and joy, the algorithms actively bury their content. I haven’t had a personal Facebook profile for over a month now, after logging in one day to find myself scrolling through ninety-three posts before finally seeing something shared by a family member. None of the other posts were remotely relevant to me - they were mostly targeted ads for groups or pages I have no interest in or connection to. I am sure many of you have noticed this too on your own feeds.
 
That said, I’m not disappearing completely - you don't get rid of me that easily! . I’ll still be sharing updates on other platforms like Bluesky and Tumblr, so if you’re active there, I’d love to stay connected; we won't be able to interact in the same way we do here, but I'm hopeful there's a friendly FB replacement just around the corner. You can also find all our updates/shared photographs on our dedicated website at www.farehamflowers.co.uk - be sure to bookmark it, and of course, we’re just an email away- the original way to connect online! 
 
Our Facebook page will remain active until the end of the month, but I’ll be deactivating Instagram, Threads, and WhatsApp by the end of today. I hope to reconnect with you all someday on a new, improved social media platform that fosters genuine friendship and positivity.
 
I shall leave you with a bright coloured hand tied bouquet; I think we all need a little bit of cheer."
 
Whether this decision was a good, or bad thing remains to be seen but it was something I had to do.  



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