Forty Facebook-free days of triumph and tribulations
Kathryn Walters (The Beacon)
By Kathryn Walters, Staff Commentary
After writing one paragraph of your seven-page paper that is due tomorrow, you decide to reward yourself with a little jaunt on Facebook, that lovely online world of never-ending updates, notifications, messages and social interaction. It's 10 p.m. "Okay, I got this! Five minutes and then back to work," you say.
After you log on, take care of notifications and peruse your news feed, you notice that one girl you could not stand in high school, and yet, somehow, you are Facebook friends, has broken up with her long-time boyfriend. It's become a pity party on her newly updated relationship status, and it's like a train wreck. You can't look away. Then you glance at the clock. 10:15 p.m. Nice try, sucker.
This has happened to most of us, myself included, at one time or another. Over time, it became clear to me that, just as a coffee addict needs a regular jolt of caffeine, I needed an hourly dose of Facebook. So, not long ago when Lent rolled around, I didn't have to think hard about what I would give up. For 40 whole days, I would turn my back on the overwhelming, yet enticing, social network behemoth in an attempt to get rid of my addiction.
I realized, however, that cutting Facebook cold turkey is simply not realistic in this age of constant online interaction. I decided that since each Sunday during Lent is considered a mini-Easter because they do not count toward the 40 days, I would allow myself a short reprieve on that day each week. Feel free to call me a cheater.
The last 38 days (not that I'm counting) proved to be a transformation in my perceptions of Facebook, as well as my online habits. I'm not going to lie, every time somebody says "Oh my God, did you see - Oh wait, you're not on Facebook," I want to slam my forehead against the nearest hard surface. If I had a nickel - well, who am I kidding? I would still be a poor college student.
Of course, I must constantly deal with the disconnect between my life and the lives of everyone else who remains on Facebook. I unfortunately miss out on the funny video someone posted on my Wall, the ridiculous and highly entertaining Facebook wars and even simple things like the details of an event my friends and I are planning. First world problems, I know.
But in all honesty, living Facebook-free has been an eye-opening experience. I now have the opportunity to view Facebook from a safe distance and guess what? It's just a website.
I'm not denying the importance of social media in our world, but I think many of us have lost sight of the fact that we allow Facebook to consume our lives. Even in real life interactions, our conversations often revolve around Facebook!
My shifting attitude toward Facebook has manifested itself in my habits on the website. It makes sense that the less time I am on Facebook, the less I am invested in it. Not only this, but even when I can go online on Sundays, I don't spend nearly the amount of time I used to on it.
My absence from the Facebook world also has bigger payoffs, because I now use the accumulated time I would have normally spent online catching up on my Netflix queue, or adding a few new pins to my Pinterest boards.
So, as Easter beckons, what does the future hold for me and Facebook? I would like to think I will not fall back into my old habits, but we'll see. If all else fails, I'll invest in a snazzy blindfold to keep my eyes off that train wreck.
