These days, I've found that I have an unhealthy addiction. No, it's not to chocolate, Nutella, or wedge sandals (you know, the usual suspects). No, my current addiction is Facebook; and I hate it.
It's true that for years now I've been addicted to Facebook but I'm finally admitting I have a problem (the first step in recovery, right?).
I hate how much time it sucks from my life. I hate that I check it so often (for really NO reason, other then it's something to do). I hate that in the evenings Tim and I both sit on our phones and browse through the *boring and meaningless* (to us) updates of the day. I hate that it's the first thing I do when I wake up. I hate that I feel like I NEED to keep my account; so people can stay updated on our lives (even though the whole point of this blog was to keep people updated..I'm just really bad at posting). I hate that Facebook has made us all so voyeuristic.
My goal is to get up the courage to kick this addiction once and for all. I'm contemplating disabling my Facebook account by the end of the year. Even typing that makes me cringe (and then I cringe again at the fact that I cringed at the thought of quitting Facebook).
I thought about taking "baby steps" and trying to not use my account for a month BUT (like those cookies in the cupboard) if it's there I know I'll obsess over it. "Just one look won't kill me" or "I can turn it off whenever I want". Long story short, don't trust me in a room alone with a computer.
Now for some feedback: Should I just delete it? Should I keep it? Could YOU quit Facebook? What's the square root of 42589?
I got rid of mine for a bit, same reasons...addicted! I was FINE without it...I would get onto Eric's and check up on my family every once in awhile, but then I started to feel left out...like everyone else was bonding and I was the outsider. I did the "joint account" with my hubby, but ended up practically taking his over, so I got mine back...I would say I am not AS bad, but like you said "it's just something to do", when there's nothing else to do why not just get on facebook, creep around, profile, homepage, profile, homepage, refresh, refresh, refresh, etc....?????? *rolls eyes at myself* it's ridiculous! If the whole world (or at least all of my friends and family) would get off of facebook, I wouldn't feel like I needed one!
ReplyDeleteI've had to make myself take a step back now and again. There are times when I'm more obsessed with FB than others...I think that the main thing is that it's a great communication tool when used in MODERATION! Which I'm not always all that good at. I sometimes take a day or two off...sometimes even a week. Especially when I need to get projects done or get my house really deep cleaned or some such. It feels good to go "offline" for a bit, and it does free up quite a lot of time! I think I might start taking occasional week-long breaks and just announcing it: "Faith will be going on a FB break from this date to this other date, so TXT or call or email if you need to communicate. THE END." Pretty much, what I'm trying to say is, you're inspiring me to moderate myself even more. :-)
ReplyDeleteP.S. I'm a highschool drop-out, so I'm not entirely sure what the square root of anything is. Yay! (Wow, I am SO COOL.)
ReplyDeleteI am a much happier, more productive person now that I have scaled it way back. I have about 10 friends, maybe a few more than that, and some of those are hidden. I use it to keep up with mostly family. I say though, if you can't scale it, quit it! So many people (even very "cool" people!) are canning FB because of the drain it puts on their lives and they are not missing it at all. I know it was supposed to take the place (somewhat) of blogging, but for me it doesn't. Blogging is writing, and that's what I do. Facebook is mostly meaningless ramblings. I have closed my account completely a couple of times when I felt I couldn't just cut down. Been meaning to do it again soon.
ReplyDeleteP.S. I LOVE people's blogs, and read them religiously. (the few that are meaningful to me I mean.)
ReplyDeleteNot a bad plan. I've contemplated doing the very same thing, though I really do use it to keep up with lots of far-flung friends and relatives. But, you are right about what a time-suck it is and I really should put some restrictions on myself. Even checking it twice a day would be a MAJOR improvement for me, I am embarrassed to admit.
ReplyDeleteSelfishly, I hope you keep it b/c I do love to hear about the recipes you try and such. :)
Thanks for the comments! They are all very insightful! I'm going to delete my FB account in hopes of devoting more time and energy to this blog. In the next few months I'm going to do my best to make it clear to everyone to start checking the blog for updates (instead of FB). What I dislike most about Facebook is I don't like the person I am when I'm on it. 1) I'm zoned out from the world around me when I'm trolling peoples pages and 2) It makes me snarky. Snarky is not a good color on me. Also, for me, Facebook keeps me TOO linked to the past (and past issues, drama, problems, etc). I really just want to leave everything that's happened in the past behind me and I feel like the best way to do that is to just cut my losses with FB.
ReplyDeleteI plan on updating the blog at least once a day (using up only half the time that I'm actually on FB...maybe I'll actually get stuff done around the house). Which means: recipes, pictures, stories, links (and maybe I'll even copy Faith and show off some of my fave outfits). WHO KNOWS! :)