Minimalist Series: Why I Deleted My Facebook?

Hello,

This evening's minimalist post is about social media. More specifically, Facebook. Ah yes, you know that one single app on your phone has the ability to suck you into a time machine. Not just a time machine that can take you through your forgotten memories as you look at old photos of you and your friends, but also a time machine that in your mind, freezes "real" time, but in reality it multiplies ten seconds into 30 minutes, and 30 minutes into 2 hours.

After years of deactivating and reactivating my account(s), I've finally rid myself of the unnecessary wormhole we know as Facebook. 

Here are the questions and their corresponding answers that urged me to make this decision-

1.  When I go on Facebook, how do I feel scrolling through my newsfeed?

I knew that I wasn't feeling fulfilled or happy when scrolling through my newsfeed. This newsfeed which is saturated with the photos and statuses of all my "friends". At times, I would be upset or angry that someone would share something (or in some cases, simply "like" another photo/video) that I found offensive on my feed. It isn't my place to say anything, because hey, I choose to be on Facebook and allow myself subject to being their audience. 

And if I'm being completely honest, I probably only considered a handful of those 467 friends, "REAL FRIENDS". So now I'm stuck with seeing 445 people post about their religious, political, and personal beliefs. Which by the way, those topics can be seriously daunting. Things always turn negative and those participants in those conversations become murderers of good vibes and happy feelings.

Overall, I just always felt emotionally drained and at times feeding off negative energy.

2.  What is my main reason for having a Facebook account?

Family. I'm 28 years old and would like to think that I have matured in my understanding that family comes above friends. At least my family does. The one family member that I would have stayed on Facebook for is my brother who is stationed overseas (military). Since he is no longer on Facebook, it made my decision all the more easier. 

All other family members (primarily parents and in laws), I see regularly or communicate with via phone. It is not necessary to share a photo on their "wall" when I can just text it to them. Same goes for my husband or my best friend.

3. Is Facebook adding value to my life?

For about two years now, I've honestly felt like Facebook was a heavy burden. Having too much insight into other's people lives would either lead me in two directions. The first being - jealousy or envy. The grass is always greener on the other side. This would often lead to being discontent and even bitter against that person for "flaunting" all of the good things that are happening to them. When in fact, I'm just being judgmental and not doing anything better with my time. That brings me to the second focus - gossip and being judgmental. I get weary of people asking, "Did you see what so and so posted on Facebook?" No. I'm not on Facebook, so I don't see what anyone posts about now. 

All of my Facebook accounts have been deleted as of February 11th and I have never felt more liberated and focused to not have that medium of negative energy in my life anymore. 

On a side note, it is extremely difficult to delete one's Facebook account. If this is something you're interested in doing, this is the link (HERE) which will direct you to permanently deleting your account. 

Cheers to a more focused and intentional life. 

- Sarah Pearl