Or at least, I have, temporarily. I would like it to be permanent. And since I just announced over there THAT I meandered away, I thought now would be a good time to share WHY I meandered.
Somebody posted a link to "Three Reasons Why You Should Quit Facebook," and while, ironically, I cannot recall what they WERE, it certainly caused me to think, "Why do I HAVE a facebook?" and the answer was, "Because everyone else does."
Needless to say, this answer did not please me. I continued to poke and prod at the thought, and realized that the things I wanted facebook to DO, it didn't, and the people I really, REALLY loved never used it anyway (with a couple note-able exceptions), and ... It depressed and upset me!
So I decided to try a radical experiment! I started texting my friends in a big GROUP the things I would normally tweet about. Because THEY were the ones I wanted to know, and THEY were the ones I wanted to respond! A couple people politely backed out (understandably - I'm quite a prolific texter), but ... Suddenly I was getting responses from people I cared about, about the things I was doing, and it was GREAT!
The other thing I was not getting on facebook was the capability to write LONG AND LENGTHY THINGS. Which I love doing. I'm definitely more of a blogger than a facebook-updater. Hence, BLOGGING. I had forgotten how much I loved it. *swoon*
Also, I am not missing the drama. I don't think it's this way for everybody, but the "drama" on facebook REALLY bothers me. Like, deeply, deeply distresses and disturbs me in a I-Can't-Stop-Thinking-About-This way.
I love my people. I really, REALLY do. And when I see them posting things about un-wise decisions, or saying caustic and hurtful things, or when I perceive that their choices are moving them further from God, I feel physical pain in my chest. Like somebody is squeezing my heart. And Facebook is not a place where you can confront people.
In fact, I would go so far as to say that Facebook encourages an environment where it is socially EXPECTED to be as divisive, argumentative and caustic as possible. I have had people I love in real life become verbally hateful over facebook. I have had people deliberately start arguments, or play devil's advocate JUST BECAUSE there.
It is not an environment that encourages kindness, thoughtfulness, respect or maturity.
Also, people have frequently taken something I've said there a little sideways, or not-quite-what-I-meant, and that frustrates me, and hurts me, because I feel like they don't know who I REALLY am. (I mean, seriously. I think I'm one of the LAST people you'd accuse of being deliberately hurtful or sarcastic, and I've been interpreted that way.)
So, that stress being gone from my life is SUCH A HUGE BLESSING.
Obviously, I'm not going to suddenly IGNORE that people I love are making unwise decisions, but sometimes seeing their posts is like being slapped in the face with it, over and over and over. So instead of allowing myself to stay where I am being so constantly attacked I can't pray wisely and calmly (I just pray "Oh God. Oh God," because I'm in such emotional turmoil), the space of no facebook allows me to be healthy myself, AND still pray for the people I love.
Not to mention, I feel a bit more in control of a blog. I don't have to worry about making my posts PC for EVERYBODY. (Something I'm always very aware of on facebook.) A lot of the people on facebook I'm friends with for business reasons, or they're my students, etc. etc. But I feel like a blog is a lot more personal. It's like your house, as opposed to facebook, which is more of a public park. I think that only people who actually WANT to know about how you're doing, etc. are going to actually bother to read a blog. Heh. (Or if they're really determined gossip-mongers and dirt-diggers. But, well, I have nothing to hide. So. *shrug*)
Anyway, the experiment went so well! I love it! So much less stress, and the people I actually LOVE AND CARE FOR are texting me (Eeee! *swoon*), and I love chatting like a mad thing on a blog. It's fun.
I do miss the baby pictures, and posts from my few close friends who DID use facebook, but it's not a big deal because we're connecting in OTHER ways. And I have suddenly found a LOT more time. I didn't even realize how much time I was just poking away on Facebook instead of other things. Like watching movies. I used to watch movies and draw. Then I watched movies and facebooked. Now I watch movies and draw again! (Or pinterest. Because it is full of shiny things.)
Now, my cousin said, "Well, set time limits!" But I SUCK at that! I know this from old. "Just five more minutes! Just five more minutes!" and FIVE HOURS LATER ... Heh heh. But it is good to know your limitations!!!!!
Anyway. It has been a bit of a week, and a bit of a day (although I got to hang out with my littlest sister! Wheee! <3), and I am going to eat some food and watch a movie. ^_^ I may or may not go to Koinaia today. I was originally PLANNING too, but my plans changed up a bit when my sister came home with me. ^_^
Ta, all! <3
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