UPDATE: I reactivated my personal Facebook profile in the middle of February. It was a short break, but I do think it served a purpose. I proved to myself that I can live without it, but I also learned that it is currently the easiest, most convenient way to keep in touch with people in my life.
I am happy to report that I have continued texting with friends, keeping that more personal (definition of which is relative, obviously) connection. I have not, however, picked up a phone and heard anyone’s voice, which I really need to do. Soon.
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I have deactivated my personal Facebook account.
*audible gasp*
Yes, I have…and I instantly felt lighter.
Every time I mention that I deactivated my account, I am met with concern and the fear that something bad happened on there. I am blogging to tell everyone that this is not the case. Nothing bad has happened. There was no drama or fallout to influence my decision. For me, this is a good thing – and there are a number of reasons why I have abandonned what has been a big part of my life for over six years.
I have decided to reclaim my life. One of my themes for 2013 is reclaim. Deactivating Facebook is the first step in that process. I need to reclaim my time, reclaim my story, and reclaim my sense of why I do things. I don’t need to share everything; I have to learn to appreciate the beauty of taking a photo for the simple reason of having it.
It has served its purpose. Facebook provided me with the thrill of reconnecting me with so many long lost friends. Without Facebook, I could’ve never found some of the people who have become my most cherished friends…again. But, I now have other ways of keeping in touch with them.
It’s already better! When I decided to deactivate my account, I sent out some messages requesting cell phone numbers of people for whom I had no way to connect outside of Facebook. Once I had their numbers, I texted them – and you know what happened? We had more personal conversations than we’d ever had on Facebook “liking” each other’s statuses and commenting on photos that had been shared with hundreds of other people. It was more personal and I felt more connected. More than one person texted that this was “better already!”
Facebook is a convenient way to connect with people, but it’s easy to never have conversations. Not relying on Facebook will force me to put more effort into my friendships. I might even feel compelled to send a letter in the mail!
I know too much. Sometimes, less is more. I love to know what is going on in the lives of my loved ones. But, I also like to have something to talk about when we get together or talk on the phone. I have grown tired of people knowing exactly what my kids and I look like when we show up after years apart. There isn’t the same anticipation or surprise or mystery – because I posted a picture after my haircut the day before. It takes the fun out of reunions.
There you have it – after over six years, my profile is no longer active. Fret not, though! All is not lost; I archived all my information and have it stored on my computer. I can also reactivate my account at any time.
It is important to note that my sarahcasm Facebook page is still active and I will be managing it. I am also still on Twitter (because I’d lose everything if I deleted that).
Maybe, just maybe, the time I would have spent on Facebook, I will now spend blogging! …or cleaning…or playing with my kids…or cooking…or…or…or…
that you were wearing a dress, but you simply said “obviously, this is not a dress” and went about your day. After school, you told me they’d been rude to you again, but you were still beaming in that pink shirt. You were so proud of yourself and you told me you wanted to wear the shirt every day.
Two days later, I took the kids to the store to get new sandals. Thankfully, they were all on clearance because it is so late in the season. As we were sifting through the limited selection, Q asked me what the bench said. “It says ‘Do not stand on bench’” I said. Without pause, Q climbed onto the bench, planted the bottom on his feet on it and squatted. “What?” he said “I’m not standing.”

