Literally withdrawing from Facebook might give some withdrawal symptoms. Speaking from personal experience of going for twelve days straight without Facebook I didn’t itch or scratch like an addict, but I did break down by going on Facebook before my voluntary time off was up.
Let’s start at the beginning, when I said “Yes” to the Viewpoints Editor’s idea of living a full two weeks without Facebook. Once I took on this mission I decided to let my friends on Facebook know I was going off. Five minutes after posting my upcoming two week abstinence status of going off Facebook, I received a pop-up chat from a friend. My friend started off with stating what a terrible idea that would be, which fueled my doubts. My will power to actually deactivate my account the next morning was withering.
At 9:05 a.m. Tuesday September 15, I looked at my profile one last time, and then hit the deactivate option.
I kept a record of the days, here are the high points:
Day 1: I find myself looking at my colleague’s computer screens as I pass through the library. There were several students accessing their Facebook accounts.
Day 2 and 3: I’m looking to TV for entertainment. “Where’d the WB go?” It’s been a while for me, it’s on a different channel and now known as the CW. All I can say is, The Beautiful Life: TBL wasn’t as good as the memories of checking my Facebook in my evenings.
I keep wondering if anyone has tried to contact me through Facebook, like my hiking partner who’s at N.C. State and comes home on the occasional Friday. We had made plans to go in the fall. What if he wants to go sometime in these two weeks? Why ever did I take a voluntary leave of absence? I should have done this when it was cold and snowing outside. Oh that’s right. It rarely snows in Charlotte.
Also, I’ve started to email or call my friends more, instead of Facebook messaging. It seems to work better; I get a more immediate response. I think they first believe I have something really important to tell them, but I think it may become annoying to some when I fill up their 49er express account or voicemail with less than important things to say.
Day 4: Maybe I should chart my weight? I’m baking more than usual for the school year. I only bake for a distraction from my responsibilities. That’s what Facebook used to be for me.
Day 5: I’m beginning to feel like I felt after I went to the mountains over the summer and had no cell phone reception. I could care less when I finally got back to Charlotte about even having access to my phone. I’m not a telephone kind of person to begin with, but I’m feeling liberated without Facebook.
On the positive I find I can study for a longer period of time without feeling the urge to check my email for notifications for any recent messages or photo comments.
Day 6: I’m gathering insight from my friends, because I seem to like to talk about this voluntary leaving-Facebook mission. It’s like in therapy when you talk about what seems impossible to accomplish i.e. staying off of Facebook.
Now, I know there are good reasons to get rid of one’s Facebook account. Recently my best friend gave up hers due to her obsession of checking out the profile of an old flame, who is now married. I commend her for recognizing her weakness and doing what was right for her own self-respect and sanity.
On a funnier note I have another friend who knows about the guys she dates even before she introduces herself to them, she actually will refer to it as stalking and doesn’t care. She’s a great actress when it comes to playing it cool when already knowing her date’s dog’s name.
Day 7: I must be psychic, because my N.C. State hiking partner had thought of me and tracked me down using my uncc.edu email. Though he was surprised I, of all people, was off Facebook.
Day 8: I truly considered reactivating my account. I realized I thought of getting on Facebook five times in one day. I blame those urges on having two tests and getting out early, which gave me spare time to do basically nothing important. Facebook really is a way to tick away the time, but when that’s not an option one must find other ways to occupy the mind and body. Can anyone say random conversations with strangers, I’m just kidding, maybe.
On another thought, Facebook is a way to be connected but not intensely linked, like calling or seeing someone in person. It’s like being an acquaintance online, even to one’s best friend. It’s like not going the full mile to get in touch with someone. I can say that actually going the distance makes my relationships and life richer, which is why I’ve always called and seen my best friend in person.
Day 12: I lasted for two days short of two weeks. I missed having a full inbox of emails. I missed all my virtual interactions, especially with the people I can’t talk to in person. Plus, I don’t know how many Birthday shout outs I missed, forgive me. Yet, this experience has made me look at how I do need to disconnect more from Facebook and focus on my face-to-face life.
Overall, this experience makes me wonder how different college life would be without Facebook. I don’t think I would focus any more than I always have on homework, yet I do think I’d have less close personal ties. I feel Facebook helps stabilize friendships that can’t be worked on day-to-day and face-to-face. Maybe there isn’t anything wrong with a little Facebook addiction.
I'm a facebook addict?
Published: Thursday, October 1, 2009
Updated: Thursday, October 1, 2009
 "Photo: N/A")
Be the first to comment on this article!