I quit FB

[HeidiKnight]

Last night I deactivated my Facebook account. I have spent the past several months reflecting on how I want my life to be, who I want to be as a person and what changes I need to make to get myself there. Getting off FB and living my real (unplugged) life was a big consideration for me. Then, last night, my husband asked me very nicely to close the account, not knowing I had been contemplating it already. So I closed the account. He was surprised that I didn't put up a fight. But FB was so addictive and I knew it needed to go, right then. If I'm honest, I was checking updates and comments dozens of times per day... at home, at work (on my phone), in bed last thing at night and first thing in the morning, and even while driving (gulp). I don't know how many hours per week I wasted on FB, but I am sure even I would be shocked if I knew. Now I'm not saying I hate Facebook. It is wonderful to catch up with friends, read their stories and see photos. I just know it's not good for someone like me who has a tendency to obsess. It was truly an addiction.

So, I'm hoping I will have more time to spend with my family, take pictures, enjoy the simple things in my real life, and scrapbook more when I'm at the computer instead of wasting the hours away looking at FB. Anyway, just had to share in case there are others out there who have made similar decisions. It's FB Anonymous, lol. "My name is Heidi Knight and I'm a technology-aholic." I jest, but it's more true than I like.

[Britgirl]

I'm with you. I just can't get sucked in anymore. I blog, I scrap, I take photos. Enough already don't you think

[esther_a]

WTG Heidi!! Gosh it's hard to find a balance! I'm an obsessor, too, and I find that even just with photography, scrapping and the few blogs I follow I keep missing out on things going on around me

[maureenreynolds]

Good for you Heidi for recognizing when to call it quits. Watch out for withdrawal!

Once I hid all of the Farmville, games, etc on FB I found that it was ok. Twitter is the one that can get me if I'm at the computer because there is so much new and interesting quite often. FB updates come by email so I usually just look at them there. However that number next to my Mail icon calls to me more often than I'd like. When I'm ready to get something done, I turn mail off. I really should do that as soon as I've read the morning email.

My dh will often come down from his office to my studio and ask me if I've read my mail because he cannot ignore ANY incoming emails. When I say I have Mail off, he just can't believe it tho he's heard it for a year or two. My cell phone is usually on mute and people know if you want to get me, use the home phone which my dh answers. I love LUV technology but I had 20 years of people making demands on me over the phone and I gave the phone up when I retired!

[iUma]

I only tinkered with it for a few minutes a few months ago and then closed it in January. I could see it's potential in many ways but also decided I was happy with my Techy life as it is. Bravo for the easy resolution with your husband. You must really be married.... thinking the same way without talking!!

[Elena]

Originally Posted by Britgirl

I'm with you. I just can't get sucked in anymore. I blog, I scrap, I take photos. Enough already don't you think

Amen.

Sounds like a good decision Heidi... now you can spend more time here... LOL!

[ValerieP]

I can see how it could take all of your time-I have an account, but I go days without checking it! I think that is because it is blocked at work-so I forget about it until I get an email from someone
Have fun with your hubby and your new found time!

[muddygirl]

When I first opened my account I was like that. Then I discovered this place and started spending more time on here and scrapping, and I only logon to my FB account when a close frined of mine leaves me a message, then I might browse around at what everyone is up to, then it will be months before I go on again.

However, I am a bit like that with scrapping and this place. Sometimes I feel like I'm neglecting my family with the amount if time I do this. When my son tells me to stop inturupting him while he is watching TV and do my puter (laptop computer), I know he notices how often I'm on this thing.

[HeatherPrins]

me too. i had an account for a couple of months last year and so did my daughter and i saw in her first how addicting it was becoming and made her shut hers down and then I did the same. I just don't need it in my life.

[manda]

Add me to the group of FB quitters! I was on there for several months and saw how it was taking over my time. Now if I could just find that balance in my online time in general. Being a SAHM doesn't help. When all you have is a 2 year old to talk to all day I find it hard to stay off the computer to talk with "grownups." Slowly but surely though I am finding that good balance. It's hard though and the techy stuff is very addicting for me. I have to keep check on it often.

[earlofoxford]

I've never done FB, Heidi, but I can definitely relate to the obsessive / addictive nature. I have that kind of personality, so I don't need any more things in my life to which I can become addicted. I'll stick with my DD addiction.

[Cassie Jones (1gr8muggle)]

I'm proud of you, Heidi!

[FlowerGirl]

Good for you, Heidi. I haven't touched my account for months and keep thinking I should just take the plunge and close it. The only reason I haven't is my aunt and cousins are on it and I don't get to talk to them much otherwise. I think you made the right choice, though

[DonnaNJ]

Congratulations! I can definitely see that it could become addictive.. I don't have an account but my 13 year old does and I'm struggling mightly to moderate how much time he spends on it

[GypsyMama]

I found I wasn't using it except as a second email, and that darn Farmville just ATE time. I killed my account too. DH never said boo to me having an account, but he really despises FB. So why would I keep doing it? I got nothing out of it really, except keeping up with "distance" relatives. And I have their phone numbers. If I added up the hours spent on FB... I could just commit to calling one a week and have a real conversation!

[Jana Morton]

I have a facebook account and I NEVER use it and have thought about closing it. I can see how this would happen...in fact, it describes my life at DD but I don't think I can pull the plug...good for you though! That is wonderful!

[connieg]

Since my BIL, who never married or has kids was diagnosed with lung cancer, I've found using FB handy to keep distant family members and friends informed. I usually check it once a day. Other wise I very seldom used it and those games and hearts/gifts people send annoy me.

[LoriS]

Good for you!!!! I have to say, i couldn't close mine... i'm not a phone person... so i like to catch up with friends and family on fb... post pics, look at their pics, etc. I hate the games, people asking me to play their games, etc, etc...

[Julie DeGuia]

It sounds like a big step in getting your life closer to where you want it to be. And what a good confirmation with your husband asking you to stop. I have had friends ask me to join FB and I will not... I already spend too much time on my computer and absolutely can't add anything else to the mix. If I'm going to be ignoring my family it had better be looking at pictures of them and putting together scrapbook pages which we can enjoy looking at together... once I get around to printing them out! LOL!

[dorah]

Add me to the list of FB quitters. In face I have quit it twice. I rejoined the second time because my sister was nagging me. But this time I quit and I don't see myself going back. Send me a text, email or call.

[Crystal]

Congrats!!! That's awesome! I have not quit yet, but I am definitely a wee bit of an addict.

[shellb]

Oh Heidi, you are so inspiring. I'm so glad you shared this. I have been debating this for along time now. I think I'm going to take the leap! I too find it a bit addicting.

[KerryMac]

Good for you! It's hard to take a step away from anything that is all consuming, be it the computer, food, drink, shopping, etc. It shows that you are a healthy girl
I love FB because I keep up with family members and share photos, but I don't play the games or post my status very often.
I do, however, hang out here a bit too much! DD is my little addiction. So far, I can still click off, but the long tentacles of the place reach out far and often.

[jk703]

I have an account, and in the beginning I was addicted. Then not so much... I go on a few times a day and check to see what is going on... then move on... I put some of my pages on FB, and photos of the kids... it is an easy way to keep afloat of what is going on in everyone's life for me... Long-distance family too!

My DH has a FB, and does that Farm thing... I think it is hysterical that he has to "farm" everyday! But, I don't say a peep... he doesn't bother me about going into our basement and going on the computer...

[cheska99]

Between designerdigitals and clickinmoms.com (photography board) I am maxed out. I'd much rather have more time to look at all the amazing layouts you all post here than join in the cacophony at FB.

[HeidiKnight]

Thanks everyone! I think it's going to be a good decision. Maybe I'll be able to scrap more pages and be on DD a little more this way too! That's my hope!

[dugarner]

I've been on FB for two years now, so many of our kids at church communicate that way now, it was almost necessary. And all my family is far, far away, so it's been an easy way to stay connected with them.

I have a script that hides everything except status posts. I don't see likes/dislike activity, games, apps, nothing. My sister tried to get me into Mafia Wars, but I had no interest.

DH said last year that FB was cited in nearly 20% of divorce cases (regional, national, in a particular city, I don't know). There is this huge swell of reconnecting with past loves, friends, sweethearts, whatever, and people are getting into trouble. But for me, it's been a great way to heal some seriously deep wounds and I've not friended anyone I wouldn't want my husband to know about. I tell him when I've received a request, and as a rule, I do not send friend requests to men. And I send very few to women, as well. He does not send any requests.

It's a fun tool when used properly, but I can see how so many people wind up addicted. On the upside, I have been able to maintain relationships with people like the 100 campers we had at our camp last summer, who live scattered from North Carolina to Arizona. I don't bug them, but I can see what they're doing and where they're going in their lives. It's created a network that wouldn't have been there before---immediate updates on campers who are sick, who are going through something terrible, who need help or who want to rejoice over some blessing . . . it moves faster than our phone lines, and I've been grateful for it many times.

I think you will feel much better for it! Go with what works best for you.

[justmp]

Good for you!! I'm definitely addicted and have actually been trying to limit myself a little to how often I jump on. Enjoy your extra time!

[cstaff]

Remember when we would call someone to keep in touch... Don't even want to try FB... technology can be an evil master... Good for you Heidi for finding your balance... not sure I could...

[cedarhil]

I have an account but haven't been on it for 6 months or so. DD is my facebook. I kinda like you all here!