Are you sick of being irritated by Facebook? Tired of getting into online arguments with jerks? Me too!

Today, I’m sharing my favorite tips for setting Boundaries online so you can love social media again. Watch today’s video right now.

*AWAP = As Well As Possible

Now it’s your turn:

How about you: Are you able to set boundaries? Do you ever ban or block Folks on social media? Share your experience in the comments below.

Want more #AWAPwednesday? Check out our #AWAPwednesday video playlist, which has more than 100 videos packed with practical advice, lots of humor, and bloopers. Lots of bloopers.

Is there a question I can answer for YOU? Add it to the comments below, or shoot me an email.

Until we meet again: Be AWAP! Smooches!

(Loose) Transcript:

Hi! I’m Jenni Grover Prokopy of ChronicBabe.com and today is AWAP Wednesday (that stands for As Well As Possible).

Each week, I offer you my personal favorite tips and techniques to help you craft an incredible life beyond Illness. Yes! I know you can.

Subscribe to the ChronicBabe YouTube channel today to make sure you never miss another video, OK?

There’s the denier: Your illness isn’t real. Your diagnosis isn’t accurate. Your symptoms are atypical so it can’t be (made-up disease name).

There’s the comparer: At least you don’t have cancer. Or: Your pain may be a 5, but mine is one zillion!

There’s the fixer: If you drink this or eat this or take this pill you’ll be fine. My aunt Mabel is cured!  

And there’s the bully: You’re not really sick. You’re an asshole for sharing what works for you because it doesn’t work for everyone. you should (bleep) off.

These folks are mostly well-meaning but let’s face it, they all suck to run into online. I mean, you’re there because you want help, you want to contribute, you don’t want to feel alone. These folks all get in the way. We will always have to learn how to cope with people who are different from us, and it’s a beautiful skill to learn to have meaningful dialogue. But when the dialogue is no longer meaningful, there are some easy tricks to minimize negative interactions.

Quit.

I don’t mean quit being online altogether, I mean quit the groups and forums where these folks thrive, and where moderators don’t step in to cultivate a positive community. There are a gajillion communities out there; you can find better ones.

Block.

If someone is still trolling you after you’ve given them a chance to change, block them. Yes, yes, people have the right to freedom of speech, but you have the right to stop listening. Cut them off. Ain’t nobody got time for that.

Ban.

If you’re a moderator or community organizer, make sure you’ve given the offender a chance to read your guidelines for the group and if they still act jerky, ban them. You don’t need ’em.  

Your actions will likely piss some folks off, so you’ll need to grow a thick skin. When they express irritation, try to let it roll off your back – and remember WHY you’re making these changes: so you can get the support you need and be of service to others. All these deniers and bullies and fixers and comparers are wasting your precious time.

You own your digital space. You can set your own boundaries.

By the way, I think our ChronicBabe communities are a wonderful place to seek solace: Facebook, the Forum, YouTube, the blog, Twitter, Instagram, SnapChat and Pinterest. Have fun!

Thanks for watching today! I would love to hear how YOU are Setting Boundaries online and protecting your space. Share your strategy in the comments here or head on over to the blog at ChronicBabe.com to join the conversation—I want to hear what YOU have to say.