I’d be lying if I wrote that I haven’t wondered — almost daily — if this whole social media thing is worth it. Most mornings, I’m greeted by Twitter and Facebook and then my palm slapping my forehead.
While I’m unable to break this ritual, one of the world’s top-ranked golfers, Rory McIlroy, just admitted he has. He’s logged off social media, and he doesn’t have plans to get back on.
“I don't need to read it,” McIlroy told reporters ahead of this week’s Irish Open. “It's stuff that shouldn't get to you and sometimes it does.”
The final straw for the 28-year-old was the online beef he had with former PGA champion Steve Elkington a few weeks ago, after McIlroy missed the cut at the U.S. Open, and Elkington hopped on Twitter to criticize him. The back-and-forth between the 54-year-old retired golfer and the current world’s #4 got a little chippy when the elder questioned the younger’s commitment. That did not sit well with McIlroy, who, by all measures, has had a far superior career to Elkington’s despite not yet reaching 30 years old.
Elkington made another cheap dig, saying McIlroy isn’t as great as the legendary Jack Nicklaus. Then again, not many who’ve ever played the game can measure up to the Golden Bear. McIlroy wasn’t going to let this notion that Nicklaus wasn’t motivated by money stand, so he hit back again.
Usually, our pro athletes aren’t this messy in public. And so this absolutely delighted the Twitterverse, who hurriedly memeified the exchange and declared McIlroy the clear winner.
Despite winning this online joust, it didn’t sit well with McIlroy. And that’s not just because something negative was said about him, but more because of how he reacted. He had let an insult get under his skin, and it brought out a side of him he didn’t like.
"I must have wrote that tweet and deleted it about five times before I actually sent it," McIlroy said. "I sort of regretted sending it at the end. I actually gave my wife Erica my phone and said, 'Change my Twitter password and don't tell me what it is.'"
So now, when you go to McIlroy’s Twitter page, you mainly see banal retweets or videos of charity meet-and-greets. It’s primarily a marketing feed for Rory McIlroy the corporation as opposed to Rory McIlroy the living, breathing human. However, it sounds like he’s pretty happy to quit social media cold turkey and have this distraction out of his life.
If only I were so strong.
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Grieving couple comforting each other
This response to someone grieving a friend might be the best internet comment ever
When someone is hit with the sudden loss of a friend or loved one, words rarely feel like enough. Yet, more than a decade ago, a wise Redditor named GSnow shared thoughts so profound they still bring comfort to grieving hearts today.
Originally posted around 2011, the now-famous reply was rediscovered when Upvoted, an official Reddit publication, featured it again to remind everyone of its enduring truth. It began as a simple plea for help: “My friend just died. I don't know what to do.”
What followed was a piece of writing that many consider one of the internet’s best comments of all time. It remains shared across social media, grief forums, and personal messages to this day because its honesty and metaphor speak to the raw reality of loss and the slow, irregular path toward healing.
Below is GSnow’s full reply, unchanged, in all its gentle, wave-crashing beauty:
Why this advice still matters
Mental health professionals and grief counselors often describe bereavement in stages or phases, but GSnow’s “wave theory” gives an image more relatable for many. Rather than a linear process, grief surges and retreats—sometimes triggered by a song, a place, or a simple morning cup of coffee.
In recent years, this metaphor has found renewed relevance. Communities on Reddit, TikTok, and grief support groups frequently reshare it to help explain the unpredictable nature of mourning.
Many readers say this analogy helps them feel less alone, giving them permission to ride each wave of grief rather than fight it.
Finding comfort in shared wisdom
Since this comment first surfaced, countless people have posted their own stories underneath it, thanking GSnow and passing the words to others facing fresh heartbreak. It’s proof that sometimes, the internet can feel like a global support group—strangers linked by shared loss and hope.
For those searching for more support today, organizations like The Dougy Center, GriefShare, and local bereavement groups offer compassionate resources. If you or someone you know is struggling with intense grief, please reach out to mental health professionals who can help navigate these deep waters.
When grief comes crashing like the ocean, remember these words—and hang on. There is life between the waves.
This article originally appeared four years ago.