One of the most productive weeks I had been when I deactivated my Facebook account.
I first deleted the Facebook app on my phone months ago. Not only has it caused me to become unproductive, but it also stirred negative emotions. You see, I had been dealing with personal issues of late. Seeing Facebook posts from certain FB “friends” elicited all sorts of negative emotions like disgust, annoyance, hurt, embarrassment, guilt, and sadness.
However, even without the app, I still checked my Facebook daily. I used the browser to log in and scroll up. Who am I kidding right?
After weeks of contemplating, I deactivated my personal account.
Maybe I was addicted to this virtual world that I couldn’t get it out of my system. I asked the Lord to help me deal with my personal issues until I am ready to go online again. Although I still maintained my Instagram account because it didn’t give the bad “feelings”.
So, what happened?
When I had free time, I was able to catch up on my reading. There are still more books to read but not enough time.
I was able to check my LinkedIn account and found possible part-time work. After a week of exchanging emails, I did land an online job! And get this, they allowed me to work part-time, which fits my schedule. So praise God for that!
During my hibernation, I had time to dust off my huge bag of yarns. Sadly, I had long forgotten my babies, my yarn babies. I missed crocheting so much. As I was dusting off the bag, I was smiling from ear to ear. I didn’t realize I still had so much yarn to work with.
I had a lot but I didn’t know what to do with them. At first, I thought of making a scarf for my Mom but I remembered I already made one for her last year. So, I thought of making a simple and fast project that I could finish in an hour. I did.
When I completed the mini basket, I still want to make more the next day. After searching my Pinterest account for crochet ideas and patterns, I found this cute summer bag pattern. After going through the pattern, I immediately set to work on it that night.
Right after our homeschooling the following day, I completed the handles of the bag! I was so proud of that project. I haven’t done something like that in a long time. It really feels good to have accomplished that by simply disconnecting and taking time off of Facebook.
Well, you might say, “It’s just a bag, what gives?” It might be nothing to you but it’s a big deal to me. Accomplishing a simple project like that bag says a lot about what other things I can do with my time. Yes, I do have a lot on my plate already but I still want to cultivate the gifts the Lord has given me and bring glory to Him. I don’t want to misuse the gifts He has entrusted me.
All good things must come to an end though.
I reluctantly activated my account again. I have a small business to run and a blog to maintain… (contemplating on discontinuing this too). One of the best ways to market any product is to promote them on social media. Facebook does help me market my products and promote my business. This one I had to admit.
Let me clarify, I don’t blame Facebook for the way I seem to waste my time away. The blame is on me. I made the choice to spend THAT much time that I became unproductive and resentful of others at the same time.
I have a friend who rarely logs on to Facebook. When I asked her recently to teach me how she does it, her response was, “I never really liked it to begin with.” Maybe I have to teach myself to detach from Facebook’s lure on me. I have to learn how to say no and say yes to better and productive activities.
How much time do you spend on Facebook or social media daily?