I recently made the decision to take a break from Facebook and not for the first time. And I am loving it this time around! I’m not sure yet, but it might be a permanent thing this time. In the past when I’ve given it up, it’s been grudgingly so and there were days when I wanted nothing more than to return and catch up with distant friends and acquaintances. But so far that has not been the case.
Facebook can be a great way to keep in touch with friends who have moved to other locations or for other reasons are just hard to keep in touch with in other ways. But, I realized that it was mostly just an unnecessary and huge distraction in my life. I must confess that I am a bit of a Facebook addict. I found myself constantly using the site and can give 3 main reasons for leaving.
1. I was quickly becoming one of those people I so affectionately call a Facebook “creep.” You know, one of those people who sometimes cruises the profile of a former acquaintance/friend/significant other/etc. whom they really have no reason to be “keeping tabs on”. Honestly, the entire premise of Facebook makes it a lot easier to be creepy. And I don’t like it.
(At least it’s not quite as bad as real-life creeping…)
2. I would find myself envying my friends for one thing or another that they shared on their profile. Facebook makes it very easy for things to look better in other people’s lives than our own, but I think it is because they can choose what to share and what not to. And they can embellish it a little, too. Definitely makes the grass look greener on the other side of the fence, even if it isn’t really.
3. Drama. Oh my word is there drama! Political drama, relationship drama, work drama. You name it, and it’s on Facebook. I was starting to find it just plain annoying. We all have things to vent about, but there are some things that we should keep between us and our closest friends, family, and God and need not be broadcast all over Facebook for our 400+ “friends.” We all have political views, but shouting them from the rooftop that is Facebook is most likely not going to change much.
I guess my leaving all boils down to one reason, It was drawing me away from God. It was taking time away from maintaining my real relationships and inciting feelings in myself that were not proper. So for the time being, until I can learn to control my use of the site better, I am staying away. And like I said before, I might make it permanent, because I must say, I’m enjoying having that extra time each day to spend with God and my real-life friends. Peace and blessings!
