Friday, December 10, 2010

The Park Wife Is A Facebook Quitter

Yes, I quit Facebook. Now, get up off the floor from shock and let me tell you why. Their names are Big Buckaroo, Little Buckaroo and Littlest Buckaroo. It was not that I sat at the computer all day watching people's status go from "single" to "in a relationship" and back the next day, nor was I obsessed that someone was not going to be able to feed their pig on Farmville because I have live animals outside my back door that need actual food that I have to get in my vehicle, drive to town, use real money to buy at the co-op, then feed. In reality, it sucked time from my life in spurts that really added up.

I would be going to put a load of clothes in the dryer, stop to see new status updates and stroll through new pictures for 10 minutes. Then, as I was going to get a book to read to the boys, I stopped to see if there where any new friend requests. Another 5 minutes sucked away, 10 when I could not figure out who they were then feel guilty for not accepting. This happened all day long. Speaking of friends, I had over 400 Facebook friends and can guarantee that if I was sick or in a bind, there are just a handful of them that would show up at my back door with soup or to offer to help with my kids. I know, I know, it is a social networking tool, not real life. hmmmmm......really? Is it for you?

I do love that I reconnected with people from my childhood (love you Cathy Strahan, Aunt Libby, Marijoy, Nicky C., Suzanne J. and some others) and kept up-to-date on my brothers, I do have 5 of them, but I will now keep in touch with more primitive means like email and the phone, hey I might even write a letter and send it by snail mail. The FB mind cloud has cleared, I know that collecting friends, virtual gifts and wall posts does not validate me as a person or attribute to my success as a living, breathing human.

I have worked hard to take away all the noise in my life that could possibly detract from a life well-lived and focus on things that actually contribute to my growth spiritually, intellectually, my family's happiness. And then I registered on Facebook. No more, I say!

I will continue my blog because it is a fun space for me to write, post pictures, make meaningful and beneficial connections with like-minded people, keep family updated, and blab about my life on a state park. I love that people are reading and I welcome all comments (and I do love them) but my motivation now is to worry less about Google Analytics and more about developing my voice as a writer. And, making sure Grandma has the latest pictures of her little guys.

Now, I know this choice is not for everyone, it is what is right for me. And, I do not think Facebook is evil, just does not add to my life in a meaningful way. Since logging off, I have not felt stress over getting homeschooling done, house cleaning, cooking, playing with kids, preparing for a huge blog meetup that is tomorrow, working on making our town a better place to live and on and on. I feel lighter and happier, less ragged.

Status: Mom guilt subsided, kids and hubby happy, spending more time in His word, going to meet 54 women bloggers from my state tomorrow, life is great. (Did I go over my 140 character limit?)
The Park Wife

16 comments:

Life with the Akin Clan said...

You go girl! I am on there but no one can really find me. It's to see pictures of my niece and nephew and to keep up with my French student. My name is not even my name. It's so addicting!

julie said...

Congratulations! I quit Facebook a year ago and while people think I am crazy I am much happier and have much more time to spend on what matters most to me. I alos feel strongly that when you are a married person Facebook can open a door to people from your past trying to re-connecting with you in an inappropriate way and why even go down that road. Of I could go on but I won't.
As always I love your blog and how in the past year or two you've really learned to strike a balance between giving your best at home and feeling fulfilled in other areas that you felt were missing.

Life with the Akin Clan said...

Oh Julie you are so right. I have 4 friends, FOUR!, who have had emotional, nearly physical, affairs due to Facebook. Praise the Lord that He has worked miracles in these marriages and they are all still together. Facebook is not to blame but when you put yourself in those situations, it's so much easier.

Julie said...

Amen. I've resisted FB, too - though been tempted to join several times.

And, wanted to say i'm going to miss the meet up tomorrow. (boo). Just too much goin' on.

I do want to meet you one day!

Marge said...

I made the decision quite awhile ago to forgo Facebook. I enjoy my blog and my blog friends. I have email, and I text. If anyone wants to contact me, I can be found. I just cannot do it all. Besides, I don't know if my grandkids want me out there checking on their Facebook! I think they'd rather text me.

And I'm jealous of your blogger get together! I think there are a few people in Minnesota who might respond to such a gathering. Something to think about!

Flying Squirrel Fan said...

Let me just say AMEN to that...and I think there are a few people that should read this because that is EXACTLY why I'm not on facebook

Jackie said...

I Know what you mean. I write to supplement my tiny teacher retirement check. I write articles for several info sites,backlink, do my blog, and visit my blog buddies.I had to pare time from somewhere, and facebook is just too mundane with too much drama . Not worth giving up visiting blogs!

Hayley said...

Wow, that was refreshing. . .

I don't think I can let facebook go b/c of youth ministry and church involvement, but I am so challenged by your post. It is so true. I think fb is our generation's "soap opera."

My tip for guy involvement- I have my settings to offline, so that any communication has to be through public forums. (Our email is shared, so messages are something we both see.)

Thanks for the challenge, once again, and blessings to you as you cultivate real relationships.

{I came here from Prairie Girl}

Val said...

I am glad you can realize what's important and take care of that first. (Not thatI really had any doubt). We'll miss your smiling face on FB, but as long as thePark Wife is still here, we'll all be good.

(BTW I would be one of the 54 but I don't thnk you would wantmy soup!)

Be well!

mimis kitchen52 said...

I quit Facebook about 1 1/2 yrs ago! You are exactly right, takes up too much time that needs to be spent doing life!!! You rock!

Strawberry CAKE said...

Your choice was God honoring. You need to know when enough is enough. And to set healthy boundries for you and your family when it come to all this webby stuff. Thanks for sharing....

Karen Bannan @ NaturalAsPossibleMom said...

I wish I could quit Facebook! Instead, I am going to try and curtail my visits to one a day during the week and go FB-free on the weekend.

SweetMissMagnolia said...

AWESOME---good for you....sometimes I think about doing it too...or at least taking a step back from it all.....hope you enjoy the meeting......have fun-stay warm....It's FREEZING here in Meridian....brrrr

Julie said...

I did it!!!! I quit Facebook too! I am 24 hours into it! I have you to thank for being my inspiration! I'm going back to blogging! YEAH!

Robin Johnson Simpson said...

Me, too!! I quit about a year ago for similar reasons. When I found myself taking the "Which Veggie Tales Character Are You?" quiz, I knew it had gone too far. In case you're curious, I was Junior. Humiliating.

Unknown said...

We'll that's no fun! Lol I finally get to ya'lls blog here and wanted to know how you do all the fun things I want. Would love to talk to you about how you got into such a life style.
From the other Joe & Steph