Tuesday, February 12, 2013

A Week Without Facebook. And Hair. No, I Still Have Hair! What I Mean...

My awesome buddy Amanda asked me how I was doing with one week of no Facebook.

Truth? It's been hard. And liberating. And slightly unnerving.

Reasons it's been hard:
1. I don't read newspapers, nor do I watch the news. Unless I remember to check Google news or CNN online, I have no idea what is going on in the world. Facebook allowed me to know --instantly --if any celebrity died, any bill was passed, any ocean was polluted, or if any kitty went to the bathroom on his owner's bedspread. No more! Caveat: big deal, eh?
2. Because I worry (much like Lizzie Bennett of Pride & Prejudice fame) what others think of me, I'm afraid that people think I unfriended them AND blocked them.
3. If I want to communicate with others, I must use something very interesting: email or telephone. Or walk over to their house. So weird!

Reasons it's been liberating:

1. No more flippant remarks about ANYTHING to ANYONE. I have to think first. This is good.
2. More time away from my phone and my iPad. Plus, our internet's been spotty this last week, and so being online actually takes work, which means less time on there, anyway.
3. More focus on my kids and my job (which Jamie writes about so well right here!).
4. Less worry. I know I said I worried about my friends, but I realize that I just don't worry about stuff anymore. I don't have to worry about getting back to people or making witty comments. I don't have to worry about debates or contention  --basically GONE now! (Unless you count the debates I have with my 8 year old about proper foot attire or my husband about who changed the last poopy diaper.) I don't worry as much about how I'm portrayed, nor how distant relatives think of me. All that worry about popularity and validation and "do they like me!?" has been basically eradicated.
5. By being on Facebook, this blog of mine took less of a role. Now that I have more time to write, I'm doing it. Writing, I mean. It's wonderful!

Reasons it's been unnerving:
1. All those pictures on Facebook that I don't have access to. I'm thinking I will log on soon and make a huge book to get those pictures, maybe re-save them...
2. Everything logged in through Facebook. Goodreads, Pinterest, Kiva, etc. and so forth. Now I have to log in normally, which is fine, but it showed me how much I relied on Facebook for Every. Single. Thing.

So, there you go! I don't think I'll be talking about it much in the future (how can I let it go if I keep bringing it up?), but it's nice to get my thoughts out there.

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Other news: I'm finally getting my hair done! Whoo-hoo! I'm thinking I will be daring. Well, more daring than my usual, which has been, um... nothing. I will get highlights again (why not?), keep it long-ish, lots of layers in front, and.... bangs! I haven't had bangs since college. Think I could work 'em again? Here's what I'm thinking:


  

What do you think?

9 comments:

Amanda D said...

I think you can totally rock bangs. They are very stylish now. I'm even considering cutting some. Just not sure how they will do with my curls. Your hair will look great with high-lights too.

Julie said...

How fun to get pampered! You'll look great with bangs!

SewSara said...

I know several people who have quit facebook - major props to you!! that would be tough. I justify keeping it because it's a main way to direct traffic to my blog and etsy biz.

Post pics of the hair ... it will be pretty!
i'll be better about commenting :)

Unknown said...

I think the hair would be super cute that way! As for news and facebook, here's my non-facebook tip. If you have a smart phone, just download twitter and follow CNN and AP. You'll get tiny snippets of the news and if you want more details, you can click the link to go to the article.

Good luck!

flip flop mama said...

Love the bangs idea! I love mine! As for the Facebook and news thing I can't help you. That's one of the reasons I won't delete my account. I do think fB has its merits and its a good exercise for me in self control.

Mother of the Wild Boys said...

I unfriended everyone, but still have my account active...so I don't spend forever checking status updates, but I can still get FB exclusive coupons/offers, check on the latest from any companies/organizations I follow, etc.

And bangs would look so cute. :)

chercard said...

Love my bangs! I think it softens the face and hides my wrinkles :) I just chopped mine chin length. I love it! It forces me to do my hair!

chercard said...

You have inspired me. I haven't been able to get your thoughts about FB out of my head. It has taken over my life and I'm not exaggerating. My husband has been saying stuff about it for weeks. My kids used to say stuff about me being on too much but have stopped (not because I got better but because it didn't matter what they said). Your post and then this article:
http://www.deseretnews.com/article/765622681/Dear-mom-on-the-iPhone-Let-me-tell-you-what-you-dont-see.html, have inspired me to deactivate my account on Monday. It will be so hard, which is even more of a reason to do it! Stupid Facebook and stupid me for letting it take over!

chercard said...

You have inspired me. I haven't been able to get your thoughts about FB out of my head. It has taken over my life and I'm not exaggerating. My husband has been saying stuff about it for weeks. My kids used to say stuff about me being on too much but have stopped (not because I got better but because it didn't matter what they said). Your post and then this article:
http://www.deseretnews.com/article/765622681/Dear-mom-on-the-iPhone-Let-me-tell-you-what-you-dont-see.html, have inspired me to deactivate my account on Monday. It will be so hard, which is even more of a reason to do it! Stupid Facebook and stupid me for letting it take over!