Of the seven deadly sins, sloth is my greatest weakness. Gluttony’s a close second, but let’s stick to the point:
I have wasted far too much of my life on Facebook. The drama, the stalking, the deceptively flattering photos… all in good fun, perhaps, but we lazy types don’t need more excuses to dodge reality. And as one person put it, “The world is going to hell in a handbasket and whole generations spend their time sending each other virtual cocktails.”
Minutes ago, I deleted my Facebook account, dismaying my poor boyfriend:
Ian: “Who will I be In A Relationship With now?”
Rebekah: “Honey, you LIVE with me.”
How long can I go without Facebook? Place your bets!
you’re a stronger woman than i, rebekah. you can do it!!!! be sure to update me on all the great new hobbies and activities you pick up with your new free time!
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wow, guess I haven’t become addicted. Why is it an ‘either/or’ situation? It’s interesting how we give Facebook so much power. it is nice to have easy one stop access to people we like and love.
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kelly – Thanks, Kelly! I think I hear crochet calling my name. Can you crochet? We STILL haven’t jammed together, and time’s running out.
jean – I deactivated my account twice in the past, but couldn’t stay away. I tried using Facebook Lite —- which, by the way, was awesome— but I’d end up checking Facebook Lite AND Facebook, which is a little pathetic. It doesn’t have to be an either/or situation for anyone else, everyone’s different.
I’ve been having wrist problems for the past year, and the pain lessened dramatically once I stopped spending 20 hours a week at a desk job. I don’t want to spend 20 unpaid hours per week staring at Facebook from home and jacking up my wrist again.
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You are wise and I cannot tell you how tempted I am to follow your example…..in fact I will do so right now. I will use the million hours of extra time a week to sew pretty (but very plain) summer dresses, make manly shirts, and enumerate the 2010 Census.
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Stitchywitchy – Bold lass! They won’t actually delete your account for two weeks— so if you have second thoughts, all you have to do is log in again and all is forgiven.
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I think you may have the staying power to do it –
The longest I was able to delete my account for was 2 months –
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I should use those two weeks to transfer my photo albums to disks….yes?
Two days without Facebook, and I haven’t sewn a shirt or dress yet….but I’ve gotten a lot of census work done.
And I do feel less stressed not knowing how many people have too many ducks on Farmville…..
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Dylan – Hey, two months is longer than I’ve ever lasted. Not too shabby! What inspired you to quit, and what moved you to un-quit?
Stitchywitchy – You’ll need to save all your photos/friends’ contact information Before deleting the account. Logging back in during the two-week period will un-delete you. Or are you ‘deactivated’? Either way, logging in takes you back to regular membership.
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Wow, I’m impressed. I think we could all use a facebook fast once in a while.
This is interesting though:
Ian: “Who will I be In A Relationship With now?”
Rebekah: “Honey, you LIVE with me.”
It seems like people are obsessed with translating so many real life things (not saying Ian was serious or meant it in this way) into an advertising campaign for themselves on the internet. Now a good photo can’t just be a good photo but, “yay! a new profile pic!” All of our personal enjoyments that we learn about one another through conversation are laid out in a template for others to browse over and pick and choose. Facebook is becoming a way of thought, indulging our desires to, what, be famous? Be the coolest in class?
I, of course, am a total sucker for it…
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Rebekah Reply:
May 25th, 2010 at 9:44 PM
Bridget – EXACTLY! You said it PERFECTLY! At least twelve times a day, I have some clever thought and imagine what a great status update it’d make.
We’ve developed so many substitutes for real life; Second Life is the most blatant. In the time it takes to master Guitar Hero, one could learn to play an actual guitar. Half the hours I spent staring at Facebook could have been spent befriending neighbors, getting involved in my community… hemming that pair of trousers I’ve avoided for 1.5 years…. finishing those songs I started a decade ago…
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Wow! You’re a brave one – I’m not sure I have your strength!
I just wanted to pop over and thank you for entering the giveaway for my Karma Cards on Lady Smaggle’s blog. We’ve got a few sets left if you’re still keen! (cough, shameless self-promotion, cough) ;D
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Rebekah Reply:
May 28th, 2010 at 9:43 PM
Sarah Von – Why thank you, celebrity guest!
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so…you finally managed to escape from facebook! good for you…..I often wonder what would/n’t happen if I did but….then I wonder what useful info will I miss? like concerts, events….I don’t know….I’ve got family that lives abroad and it’s fine to know in what they are into….I just try to pick the good….I mean, never play Farm ville!! I got my own real garden!! that’s better :)
Well…that decision of yours will lead me to jaunty dame more frequently. ^_^
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Patricia – A real garden IS better.
Maybe I quit Facebook just to trick you into visiting my blog. We’ll never know for sure. =)
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Goooooooooo Beck! You can do it, I know it! Read Failbook every time you have a weak moment. ;)
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Ming – Oh, I’m a subscriber! I survived two weeks without Facebook, which means my account is really and truly gone now. They should have greeting cards for these occasions.
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Ming Reply:
June 7th, 2010 at 2:25 PM
Well, probably it’s not really gone. That’s one of the beefs people have with them. I read a huge Jezebel thread about it, kinda scary.
But you are a bigger, stronger lady now! Grrrr!
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Rebekah Reply:
June 7th, 2010 at 3:40 PM
I feared as much. Eew eew eew.
BIGGER? WHO TOLD?!
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