Life Without a Facebook.

The non-Facebook Trials

Recently I decided I waste way too much time on Facebook and check it several times a day habitually; out of boredom, curiosity, expression, communication and so on—but, I think most could attest that messing around on FB is mostly out of boredom.

I decided to de-activate my FB account indefinitely to assess how addicted to FB I actually am and how long I could make it.

Through this odd experiment, I kept a log of my thoughts and whenever it had an effect me.

It turned out pretty interesting..

——

DAY ONE:

Around 8 p.m., a few hours after de-activation, I feel anxious. Think about checking Facebook about a dozen times. Numerous occurrences where I'd think of something and wanted to post on status update.

DAY TWO:

Mid afternoon: Still feel edgy. I am really bored. I want to see what people are up to; chat; status update. Still, I want to make it a week.

Evening: I am using the computer less and watching more TV. When I get bored, I typically initiate the Internet starting with FB; I just instinctually type in Facebook.com in the search bar thing, even if I originally went online to do something else.

DAY THREE:

Not using FB is keeping me active in a different ways and I spend way less time using the Web in general, and when I do, I  just browse, read, blog, schoolwork, etc. But somtimes I still urge to check FB.

DAY FOUR:

Becoming more accustomed to this, but still a little edgy when I'm bored. Each day I feel a little more liberated. At the same time, I think I am addicted to FB and probably go back to being just as consumed as I was pretty soon.

DAY FIVE:

Feeling less of an urge to use FB. I do have some people and thoughts I want to communicate, but I really want to make it a week, and I think my convos and updates can wait a week. I don't NEED Facebook. This is still really weird though not being able to use it...

DAY SIX:

I don't even want to use FB. I'm using my computer for mainly work and music and stuff. I wrote a research paper with no distractions; apparently FB is big a distraction for me. AND I honestly think I was way more bored back when I was using FB than now. I got a lot of work done today though.

DAY SEVEN:

One week anniversary without FB and at this point I want to continue this detachment from the digital world. I actually feel more in tune with the real world… I don't know if that sounds weird.. But now I have to call, text or physically make contact with a person to get in touch (and vice versa), which I is a more personal, real way of connecting with people as opposed public FB comments and what have you.

DAY EIGHT:

I don't know what to do, I don't even really want to re-activate my account, but at the same time I kinda do. I'm sick of blogging about this because I don't think I care anymore… Let's see how long I can continue this experiment thing

DAY 10:

Kind of pissed that I can't share my wise words with the public.

DAY 11:

Okay so I signed onto my Facebook toady because I was really bored at work and now I'm back on there… But I find that I'm not as dependent on FB anymore! Hopefully I can be a recreational FB user….. If that happens...

So, in summation I learned that Facebook is just addictive, but it's really not a big deal when you get used to the detachment. Throughout the 'experiment,' FB became less and less important, but it IS still important, for lack of a better word. I'm sure there are so many people who would have a hard time going one day without FB. 

I hope from now on I can use Facebook much less!