Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Taking back a piece of my life.

On Sunday Chris and I had a lengthy conversation on how much we hate Facebook. Seriously, it was like a 20 minute rant between the two of us.

For me, it is a supreme waste of time, especially during school. I just sit there, hoping something interesting will happen so I don't have to write that paper.

I hate all the changes they are constantly making to the profile and the news feed, to the point where I can't even focus on anything worth seeing because it's just cluttered with junk. I don't care what quiz my friend just took, quite honestly.

I hate getting friend requests from people I don't really know. For example, over 2 years ago I used to work at McDonald's. There was a kid I worked with, who I will call B. B was a nice kid. He had a good attitude and he was fun to work with. But once I quit working there I didn't really care about what was happening in B's life. We were Facebook friends while I worked there, but a few months later I removed him as a friend. I figured he wouldn't notice, since we weren't best friends. Wrong. Every few months he'll send me a friend request, and I'll deny it. Because we are not friends.

Really, the only people I still have my account for are my friends and relatives that I don't see often, who live in other provinces/countries. But I just don't want the hassle in my life.

One of my New Year's resolutions is to simplify my life, technologically. And Facebook bogs me down more than it helps.

I also want to reconnect with people for real. I have so many people in my life that I care about, and I would rather spend face time with them rather than Facebook time. I'd rather use that time spent editing my profile to write a letter or call a friend and make a date for coffee. I want to know people because I talk to them, not because I stalk them.

So next Wednesday I will delete my account permanently. I mean, it's not like I'm dropping off of the planet. Or even the internet, for Pete's sake. I check my email about 30 times a day (having an iPhone helps). I have my blog, where I can post pictures and life updates. I always have my phone on me, so a text or a phone call are great. I even do that old-fashioned thing of writing letters, which is way more fun than a wall post, if you ask me.

One of my best friends Theresa deleted her Facebook account over a month ago, and she is so happy she did it. Chris deleted his account yesterday. I can't just do it out of the blue, because I want to make sure people have my info.

I sure hope that people won't forget about me, though.

9 comments:

  1. That was the most well-written explanation for getting rid of one's Facebook account I've seen. Good on ya, Fe!

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  2. I did the same thing! But I deleted my FB back in September and honestly it feels so good! I LOVE not knowing other peoples daily info, it's refreshing! And the "B" story was funny!

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  3. I won't forget about you Felicia! I did the same thing in 2008, because it was taking up far too much of my time - but then I got back on later in the year, because I realized the only time I talk to some people is on Facebook, and I didn't want to lose contact with them - sad, I know. I have a better time balance now though, and I'm not on there so much now, so I can justify it now. Ha! If it ever becomes too time consuming again, I'll probably delete myself again - but we'll see. Anyway, I will not forget about you, and we will stay in contact anyway! Blogs and letters are wonderful things, no?

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  4. Atta girl, Felicia! I kinda wish I could delete mine...

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  5. A family member, a distant uncle, asked me at Christmas if i was on facebook. I said, "Yes, but don't bother trying to friend me because it's only for my youth stuff, and you would see useless info on there. If you friend me, i will decline, b/c i won't interact with you anymore on facebook than i do in real life."

    I think he was offended, but i don't care. I never see him, so why should he all of a sudden be interested in my life so much.

    Good on ya for getting rid of it, unfortunately, as a youth pastor, it's the easiest way for me to stay connected to the youth.

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  6. Hurray! Good for you!

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  7. What you're doing is really interesting and commendable. There was a similar story in USA Today a couple of months ago.

    I'm finding Facebook pretty unfulfilling. I had hoped to deepen my relationship with my fiance's family (especially his kids) but they are so self-absorbed and take little interest in our life. So I'm close to chucking it, too.

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  8. I like this post :) I mostly use Facebook to communicate with members in some of the organizations I'm in as well as promote our events. That is the only thing keeping me from deleting it because I want to so badly!!!! I can see how life sans Facebook is more fulfilling :)

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  9. hey felicia, what is your email address again??

    Caina

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