Five years ago the question would have seemed totally absurd. Nevertheless, I found myself asking it.
Can I actually delete my Facebook account?
I'm afraid I'm going to be so out of the loop if I do it. I'd miss being able to scroll through my photo albums and take a walk down memory lane via my own profile page. I'd miss the easy and instant communication with such a large number of people. I'd miss the connection with those whom I'd otherwise probably have no knowledge of things happening in their lives. I'd miss all the helpful articles that come across my news feed daily. Also, does the fact that I help organize a homeschool co-op in our community obligate me to remain on Facebook, to help carry that load of responsibility and communication?
There were so many things to consider before doing something "crazy", but one thing was for sure; Facebook and other avenues of social media and communication were stealing too much of my time. Stealing my focus. Stealing me from the people right in front of me. I was also becoming painfully aware of the example I was setting for my children. They saw me with head buried in my phone, swimming in distraction, more often than they should. They saw my immediate obedience to every beep and whistle from my device. They saw me walk away from face-to-face time with them in favor of answering a call or text. Those are hard words to write. But I believe that change has to start with telling the truth.
So, I'm planning to unplug.
I'll start with Facebook and go from there. Not because I don't want to connect with people. Because I want most to connect with those who sit around the breakfast table with me each morning. Because I can only read so many self-help articles in one day. Because my world needs to become a little bit smaller.
If you are feeling that same pull, let me throw you a lifeline. Here are some books that have been extremely helpful and inspiring:
Can I actually delete my Facebook account?
I'm afraid I'm going to be so out of the loop if I do it. I'd miss being able to scroll through my photo albums and take a walk down memory lane via my own profile page. I'd miss the easy and instant communication with such a large number of people. I'd miss the connection with those whom I'd otherwise probably have no knowledge of things happening in their lives. I'd miss all the helpful articles that come across my news feed daily. Also, does the fact that I help organize a homeschool co-op in our community obligate me to remain on Facebook, to help carry that load of responsibility and communication?
There were so many things to consider before doing something "crazy", but one thing was for sure; Facebook and other avenues of social media and communication were stealing too much of my time. Stealing my focus. Stealing me from the people right in front of me. I was also becoming painfully aware of the example I was setting for my children. They saw me with head buried in my phone, swimming in distraction, more often than they should. They saw my immediate obedience to every beep and whistle from my device. They saw me walk away from face-to-face time with them in favor of answering a call or text. Those are hard words to write. But I believe that change has to start with telling the truth.
So, I'm planning to unplug.
I'll start with Facebook and go from there. Not because I don't want to connect with people. Because I want most to connect with those who sit around the breakfast table with me each morning. Because I can only read so many self-help articles in one day. Because my world needs to become a little bit smaller.
If you are feeling that same pull, let me throw you a lifeline. Here are some books that have been extremely helpful and inspiring: