Facebook and I have had a tumultuous relationship for the past couple of years. I went from rarely ever looking at it to being completely obsessed and unable to step away. When people told me they didn't have Facebook, I'd always respond with, "What?! Why not?" I couldn't fathom not being on Facebook.
Then, like a sign from heaven (cue singing angels), people who had disconnected from Facebook came into my life. A plethora. And while I was interrogating these weirdos, I realized they all had pretty good points. This retrospection on their lives caused me to consider my life.
What does Facebook do for me? I asked myself.
Truth is, it didn't do a whole hell of a lot (at least not positively). I was kind of a creeper on Facebook, friending my friends' guy friends and talking them up because somehow in my life I learned that I need to be the hunter in relationships and this probably has to do with the fact I usually date HUGE dee bags, you know what I'm sayin'. I have theories about this behavior, of course, but that's for another day.
Facebook also caused me to feel extremely, extremely insecure. Why wasn't I invited to this or that, obviously that person hates me, omg there's pictures from said event and everyone I know was there and I didn't know about it, I'm such a loser, fuck fuck fuck. Or, random girl from high school has a baby and is married and they were only dating for 6 months, I was in a relationship for 3.5 years and he didn't want to marry me, no one will ever love me again, I'm a loser, I'm so fat, I'll never have anything, I'm a failure, fuck fuck fuuuuuuuccccckkk.
P.S. It's a total time suck. Like Pinterest, but bad for the soul.
In spite of the above, I continued to think Facebook was a necessity. Then, one morning I woke up and decided I'd take a break. I gave it a week and if I felt more fulfilled with it, I'd reactivate. This was in February. I haven't looked back since. I was worried I'd be excluded from events because my friends post everything through Facebook. But that hasn't been the case. People use the phone like real human beings and call me. It's amazing.
A couple of days ago, I took the real plunge. I deleted my account. There's no going back after that.
During the deletion process, Facebook asks you about 5 times if you're sure you want to leave Facebook. THEN they give you 14 days to sit with your decision. But, I'm sure.
I'm with you. Well, I haven't deleted my account, but I may as well. I post about two status updates per year. Besides, Twitter is soooo much cooler.
ReplyDeleteI agree, Twitter is way better. I started by deactivating and then deleting.
ReplyDeleteawwww good for you! :)
ReplyDeleteI've never ever had a Facebook and i feel like it's better that way (for me)
Woootwoooot for no "space books" ;) that's what i call it
There's a small army of us forming in the ATL
DeleteI deleted my account back in 2010 and have not looked back. Sure there are contests/promotions that are facebook only, and when I have a moment, I try to alert those folks to also include twitter! Sometimes they do (and I give them free social networking RT+) sometimes they don't (and I stop paying attention to them).
ReplyDeleteMy wife is still on Facebook and is the crack addiction range. She misses most emails now. That so many people are using facebook as their sole interaction medium on the web is horrifying. I am always delighted to hear positive stories of people leaving fbook so HEAR HEAR!
Cheers to your weekend!
Thanks! A few minutes ago, I was reassessing my decision because I missed out on a party because it was only discussed over Facebook. Then, I remember I'd been out of town all week and missed the fliers and discussion of said party. I feel as if there is a wave of people deleting and saying goodbye.
DeleteGood for you, too!