Escaping Facebook

I was talking with a friend the other day while she was looking at her phone. Mid conversation, she began informing me of the happenings on Facebook.  I don't know the majority of her friends.  So, basically I didn't care about her news feed. I REALLY didn't care. But my annoyance reinforced my own belief that I made the right choice in eliminating Facebook as a distractor in my life.

I have been far more present in life since I "quit". During the chat with my friend several things were brought up by her based on what she read on Facebook. I couldn't help but wonder why we weren't talking about things that were happening in our "real" lives. After all, we were together - in real life, the two of us.

I know I sounded like that before I "quit" too. I am sure that I have said "Did you see X on Facebook" or "I saw such and such on Facebook"  or "What? You aren't on Facebook?" more times than I would like to count. Guess what? I don't say that anymore! Yay! It feels good to be talking about what is actually happening in the moment.

And guess what? Every since I quit Facebook I don't feel guilty about having breakfast as dinner for two nights in a row. I don't feel guilty about using soap that I buy at the store instead of soap made from scratch. I don't get caught up in issues that don't affect me. I don't beat myself up for missing a workout after seeing my friends' status updates. I don't feel like I need to be on some secluded beach drinking drinks with little tiny umbrellas just because someone else is. I don't get angry about someone preaching one minute and cursing the next. I don't whip out my phone in an effort not to be alone. I don't hear all of the noise that distracts from my amazing life. Yep, my life is amazing. It is sometimes hard to realize how amazing your life is when you see everyone's brag book plastered in front of you.

Since quitting Facebook I have realized that I am a better me. I appreciate the awkward silence. I have conversations with strangers. I am more appreciative of the beauty around me. I call or text my friends more often. I read more. I run because I want to run (not because I need to go farther/faster than my friend. Kidding, kind of). I hardly look at my phone.

And no, I STILL DON'T want to play Farm Town or Diamond Dash or Bejewled whatever it is. Instead I choose to play: Hi Ho Cherry-O, The Ladybug game, Thinkfun Roll and Play, Connect Four, Eeboo Tea Party game and a modified form of Yahtzee with little people. No amount of enjoyable Facebook gaming can compare to their faces when I sit down with them to play a game. And, I don't have to try to recruit other players in order to advance levels! I don't need someone to give me a goat in order to keep playing!

I do realize that not everyone is affected by Facebook in the way that I was. I am not dissing anyone for having Facebook. I am simply telling you that I am glad that I "quit". I am sharing my experience and how that experience has helped me be more mindful. Do what works best for you. Me? I'm better without it.


Quick Q & A

Do you see the irony in the fact that you quit Facebook but started a blog?
Yes. Totally. The difference is that I try to be thoughtful in my blog posts. I don't mindlessly scroll, like, share and post. And I also only work on my blog when the littles are sleeping. 

Have you seen the social media video that cannibalizes social media?
Yes, here's the link. Ironically, I first saw this on Facebook. It had a big impact on my decision to quit.