Tomorrow officially marks my one-month vacation from Facebook. How crazy is that? What a weird question. Why would it be crazy to not be on Facebook? And yet somehow it is.
I’ve been in a constant state of flux since removing myself from the social networking behemoth. One day it’s awesome to be rid of the noise and to carry on my life as I please. I’m no longer tethered to my Blackberry for fear of “missing something” on my news feed. Yet at the same time, I think I’ve missed a lot of important information about my friends. For example, I know at least one person has announced that they are expecting again. And I’m pretty sure a couple others have posted ultrasound photos since my respite began. I think a few others might have had their babies, one or two people may be in the midst of marital crisis, and who knows what other news I’ve been missing out on.
My husband and I went out for a couples night with our other parent-friends a few weeks ago — after I had left Facebook. One of the guys briefed me on his feelings toward Facebook: “If we’re friends, we have each other’s phone numbers and email addresses. And if we don’t, then we’re not really friends. So why would I waste my time pretending to be friends on Facebook?”
Point taken. And I agree to some extent. But over the course of the last month, I’ve come to realize that many of my friends, whose phone numbers and email addresses I do have, post things to Facebook under the assumption that everyone who matters is also on the social networking site. Gone are the days of emailing photos and stories to family and friends. Now people keep in touch through social networking sites, blogs, and photo-sharing sites.
And to be perfectly honest, Facebook was a great way to stay in touch with people should you ever need their help, expertise, recommendation or advice in the future. The way most people use Facebook wouldn’t fall under that category, but I kind of used it as a mix between MySpace and LinkedIn. I don’t use MySpace anymore, but I am a current user of LinkedIn, and historically speaking, it has proven to be an invaluable resource.
The internet is truly an incredible instrument. It’s power is so far-reaching that even a very small, Jewish bakery down the road from us has a website. It’s completely baffling. I remember when I was young that the internet didn’t exist. I remember having and using a rotary phone. I know there are so many more, older and wiser, people out there who remember much more antiquated forms of communication than I do. The point is, our lives used to be so interconnected and personal, and now they’re not. Or aren’t they?
“Facebook helps you connect and share with the people in your life.”
Does it? Does it keep you informed and interested in other people’s lives? Or does it alienate you because of the limited capability of it’s auto-populating newsfeed? Does it keep you just far enough removed that you get sick of using it, and need to filter out the noise?
I’m somewhere in the middle. Do I miss screwing around on Facebook for my two hours of rest period every afternoon? Sure. It also pains me to be away from my account after putting so much effort into growing my profile. After being recommended by my fellow Facebook friends to check out study breaks, a website showing reviews on the best ways to buy likes, I decided to research into how to grow my social media platforms. So to take a long break from something I’ve invested in can be painful. But have I stayed connected to my friends and family despite being away from social networking? You bet. And have I read infinitely more books and stayed abreast with current affairs much more efficiently than I would have had I been wasting my two hours daily with mush-brain nonsense? Most definitely.
Some days I do miss Facebook. Others, notsomuch. I’m sure I’ll reappear as an avid user one of these days. For now I’m rather enjoying my peace and quiet. So, friends, if you’re harboring some kind of big news that all of your friends would like to hear or see, don’t forget about us little people on the outside.
Happy Facebooking!
