A few months ago, I hit a point where Facebook felt overwhelming. Every scroll seemed to bring up someone I wasn’t ready to hear from a former friend, an ex, or just someone I needed space from. That’s when I discovered Facebook’s “Take a Break” option. Honestly, it felt like a digital breath of fresh air. But then something unexpected happened.
Why I Chose to “Take a Break” in the First Place
Back then, I was dealing with life changes the kind that throw your social and emotional balance out of whack. I had just ended a relationship, started a new job, and moved to a different city. Suddenly, seeing certain people’s posts triggered uncomfortable feelings I wasn’t prepared for.
So, I did what any tech-savvy introvert would do. I reached for my smartphone, opened the Facebook app, tapped the Search icon on the top right corner, and looked up the friend I needed a break from. Once on their profile, I tapped on Friends, and then there it was the Take a Break option.
How I Actually Used “Take a Break” (It’s Not Just One Button)
Here’s the thing: taking a break isn’t just unfriending someone or hiding their posts. It’s way more nuanced and personal. After choosing Take a Break, I saw privacy-related options that let me limit what they can see on my profile and limit where I see their profile.
I even tapped on See Less of their content it felt empowering.
Then I hit the Save button and thought, “Cool, that’s done.” What I didn’t expect was how it would quietly shift how I interacted with Facebook altogether.
But… I Started Missing Out
A few weeks in, I noticed something weird. I was still going to parties, working on job projects, planning meetups with mutual friends, but I felt a gap. Turns out, the person I took a break from? They were still part of my social and professional network.
I began to wonder if it was time to reconnect not just out of curiosity, but because I missed their updates. Their online presence, even the small things, used to inspire me. I had gained perspective and even healed in ways I didn’t expect. And now, it didn’t hurt anymore to see them pop up in my feed.
Reversing “Take a Break” Easier Than I Thought
So I grabbed my phone again and reversed it.
- Opened the Facebook app
- Tapped the Search icon
- Typed their account name
- Found their profile in the search results
- Tapped Friends, then Take a Break again
But this time, instead of setting limits, I tapped on See Profile Anywhere on Facebook and changed the settings back. It was surprisingly simple. I also double-checked and undid the hide your post restriction.
I tapped Save, and just like that, we were back in each other’s online orbit.
The One Reason I Don’t Regret It
The biggest surprise? I didn’t feel weird about it. In fact, I felt a quiet sense of emotional maturity like I had moved past the stuff that made me take the break in the first place. And here’s the kicker: reconnecting didn’t just help with personal clarity, it actually helped with my networking too.
I was able to remain informed, offer support from a distance, and even collaborate again. That awkward silence? Gone.
Things I Love (and Still Find Annoying)
Here’s what stood out to me:
What I Loved
- Control without drama — You don’t have to blacklist or block someone. You can just quietly step away.
- Reversibility — You can change your mind anytime.
- Support for emotional clarity — Seriously, this helped me more than I thought it would.
What’s Still Annoying
- Facebook hides the feature in menus that aren’t obvious. Finding See Option under Take a Break took me a bit.
- No notifications go out which is good but it also means people don’t know if you’re backing off for a reason or by accident.
Would I Recommend It?
If you’re going through a tough patch, or just need time away from someone without cutting ties completely, yes absolutely. And if you’re wondering how to reverse take a break on Facebook, I’ve been there. It’s quick, it’s customizable, and it feels a lot more human than the old block-and-delete era.
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