I made a big decision last week. It has been the best decision I’ve made in 2013, thus far (after adopting a puppy, of course). I deactivated my personal Facebook account. YIKES.
Those who know me are shocked by this. I was Facebook’s biggest fan. By far, I went on it more times in a day than most. I was the one who went on first thing in the morning and looked at it right before bed each night. I was also the one who would be scrolling through my news feed throughout the day far too often. At a stoplight. Waiting for my lunch. So on and so on.
For these reasons and more (such as learning of a good friends engagement via Facebook), I’ve decided it was time for a break, whether temporary or permanent.
I can’t tell you how much of a weight I feel has been lifted ever since I did this. I still use it for business (I manage my blog page and a few others), but no longer personal (same for Twitter and Instagram…solely for business/blogging now).
This isn’t me telling you to deactivate your Facebook account, but this is me telling you to be aware of how much you’re on it. I’d find myself scrolling through my news feed for almost the entire 55 minute drive to the lake with my boyfriend, rather than enjoying that time with my boyfriend. I was practically addicted. It’s easy to get wrapped up in social media, but it’s nice to be able to put it down, turn it off, and focus on the people you’re with and the moment you’re in.
I know the close friends in my life will alert me of big things happening in theirs, and I won’t miss it just because I’m no longer on Facebook. People close to me will send me pictures they want me to see. I’ll have reminders in my calendar for birthdays so I won’t miss any of those either.
I realized life will go on without Facebook. Crazy, right?!
And it all happened so fast, with the click of a button.
i am thisclose to deleting my personal account, but if i do, my blog page account will also disappear 🙁 that’s the only thing holding me back from shutting it off, because i’m really sick of it too! i applaud your decision.
xoamy
There’s a way around it!! I still have my blog page and the other pages I manage. I’ll email you! xo, Julie
Wow that’s crazy, I don’t think I could delete mine. Enjoy the freedom!
Kristina does the Internets
I have honestly been thinking about doing this too! Facebook, while nice to keep up with some people, has become overwhelmingly about showing off and well no offense to some of my friends but everything is: engagement, wedding, house, babies… and I’m just not ready or even want that to be my life right now. But it is weird how I feel affected by seeing this every day and think it SHOULD be what I want? Why? Just because everyone else my age is doing it? Yeah. It just is a weird social pressure and then I am like how you were with it, always checking it, even when I should be enjoying free time with my boyfriend!
Well that’s awesome that you took that step 🙂 And I’m drooling over that office area…so pretty!
Annie
The Other Side of Gray
I’ve debated doing this many times before, but I always end up missing out on big news with friends who only use Facebook to communicate (sadly). But I totally get how it can be a weight off your shoulders!
Good for you! I sometimes think about life without all this social media and I think it could be so much healthier. Unfortunately, I haven’t made any steps!
Love and Ace
The timing of this is ironic. My husband has been nagging me to get off my iPhone and he’s right but now he’s addicted to Candy Crush so I end up back on FB. Well done…you’ve got me thinking!
I think that is a wonderful idea- it can be such a big time waster. my husband has never had one and he is just fine without it!
i pretty much keep the account so i don’t lose contact with people who live abroad…
If it was affecting your life in such a way, you made a great decission!
I think the problem comes with smartphones. I’m completely addcited to the internet, but on a computer. Whenever i go out to “real life” i have “real experiencies” and i don’t spend time looking to fb since i´ve choosed to have the crappiest phone ever. Thats the trick for me.
Wow good for you lady! I reallyyyy should have done that back in college. Now I use it so much for work that I don’t even feel like spending free time on it, and am much less distracted by my newsfeed these days 🙂
xx, Emily
shell chic’d
The office picture is beautiful. Hopefully you’ll have something similar at your new home. Congratulations on not letting social media rule your life. I would love to read about your organization skills as a blogger.
Good for you Julie! My husband deleted his twitter account for the same reason. I barely ever use my personal facebook any more, I find that it’s a total time sink and I can do so much more with my time. I feel like we’re already crazy busy as is and our time can be much better spent doing something more constructive!
xo jen
Pearls & Lace
im impressed, i really don’t use mine only for the blog page ,
Xo, Megan, http://www.TfDiaries.com
I don’t know if I could do it. My whole family uses facebook a ton for announcements and dates or invites to events. I hope it’s good for you!
xoAmy
http://www.dreamingincashmere.com
Good for you. I only check pictures from my family and very close friends and even that takes a lot of time. Wish you could help me give up the computer. That ,for me, takes the most time in my day.