Life After Facebook

By: Kara Sutton

Posted: 2/22/10

One evening, not too long ago, I routinely sat in my second-hand rocking-chair, neck aching, surfing Facebook in another attempt to pretend I always enjoy not having cable. As I strained a finger to click through the pictures of my Elementary School-best friend's wedding album, re-read college football inspired "statuses," and RSVP "no" to several bar and club events I realized I had ignored almost all of Maslow's hierarchy of needs. For hours I sat dry-eyed in front of a 7" screen, downloading information about people I personally don't feel I have any business staying in contact with.

To reference the Elementary School friend from before, the only contact I've had with her since I was 10 was to click a "friend request" invitation. I was not invited to her wedding, rightly so, yet I experience her wedding via uploaded pictures of the, what some may consider, sacred day. Not to mention the moments following in which I rated my achievements based on this would-be-forgotten friend's life. Why?

It was around that time in thought I made the drastic leap to disconnect myself from the unbelievably large social network; I de-activated my Facebook account.

The next morning I woke up, started the coffee-maker, and sat down in my rocking-chair. I picked up the laptop I discarded carelessly on the floor the night before and typed in the web address for Facebook. Oh yeah... I deactivated it. I opted to simply check my e-mail and eat breakfast looking out at the beautiful, brown man-made pond behind my garden home.

I have now been Facebook-free for three weeks. At times I find myself clinging to logic that I should have a Facebook. I could re-activate my account, but at least for now I would like to know that I still have some technological independence.
While I don't aim to discredit any other opinion or use of the website that connects 3.5 million users, I would argue my last three weeks have proven substantial benefits for being disconnected. Now when I study with my laptop I check my e-mail or news feed as a quick study break in replace of hours of distraction embedded in the numerous applications Facebook offers. I've spent more time reading for leisure after classes than, possibly ever.

I would also note that perhaps the most significant difference I've noticed in my life after Facebook is a release of excess tension. I'm some what of a restless, easily-stressed student so any fluctuation in my daily disturbances is evident. Whether the time is right or it is the lack of 'knowing what everyone else is doing,' I have enjoyed the change.

Not everyone has shared my enthusiasm over discontinuing Facebook use, though. I have received responses such as 'you have to have a Facebook! Everyone needs a facebook!' and 'when are you going to get Facebook again?' My favorite so far has been, "If you don't have a facebook, are you a real person?"
I guess Descartes was wrong, it should have been "I facebook, therefore I am."