Facebook Captured... or Free??

Silly title, I know.
But humor me... which one are you?

I have, without a doubt, been Facebook captured... until recently.

I have been known to open the app every single free moment, well that could be a little exaggerate, but probably not far from the truth.

My husband gets in the shower, phone.
My kids watch TV, phone.
Parked for 10 minutes before school gets out, phone.
Kids playing nicely, phone.
Dinner ready, but waiting on husband, phone.
Husband fell asleep before me, phone.

I honestly could probably go on, but you get the idea... sound familiar? Or does it sound like a crazy person who needs a life?
Don't worry if you said crazy, sometimes I feel like a crazy person because of how often I was clicking on the "Facebook" app on my phone.... semi-embarrasing to admit it.

I recently gave Facebook up for Lent... I think I tried last year with a few "cheats" along the way... My heart was not fully committed to not opening my Facebook for the entire 40 days like it is right now. This time it has stuck. I am one week out from being able to have full access again.

To be honest I don't know if I want it.

I know Lent is symbolic, and it is not something that is necessary in a Christian persons life. And if I am being truthful, I don't think about Christ and His sacrifice while I choose not to open Facebook... so I basically could have done this at any given time of the year, but Lent gave me that extra push to be committed... and this time it worked.

The first week was tough. I changed my password but the app was still on my phone. I clicked on it quite a bit, just to see the "sign in" screen pop up, and then to remember I gave it up. It was like a nervous twitch I couldn't get rid of!! So I deleted the app... I will not put it back on my phone.

The next week was freeing... I didn't have a clue what was going on in the world, and although I missed some sweet pictures and cute stories I am sure, I also missed the mundane, boring, or down right drama filled statuses that used up my free time with things that didn't matter to me.

This past week I have learned that I don't even think of Facebook, besides when people say things like "Did you see that post?" Or "Did you see what I sent you?" Things like that make it plain that I am not on Facebook and am missing snapshots of people's lives because of it... but without those reminders, I don't mind not knowing everything going on. I don't mind missing the little things. It hasn't changed how I view my day, myself, or my family. It has been NICE to not be "in the know" for once...

I am one week out. And I don't know if I want it back.

It is freeing.

Facebook or something like it, such as Twitter, or the website that hasn't been invented yet but will absolutely take off like a storm... these social media sites are not going away. They are here to stay, and for the most part they are a wonderful way to stay in touch. I love that I can see what my childhood friends are up to nowadays, or my high school buddies having children. I love to see my cousins pictures, and my Grandma's plan for the day.
Please don't take this like a GIVE UP FACEBOOK AND YOU'LL BE FREE!!! blog, but more of a push to not let it control your free moments... like I was letting it control mine.


In a week I will open my Facebook, and probably play catch up for a little bit. But I am going to try desperately to remember that I don't need Facebook to have a successful day, and I don't need it to fill my free moments... I truly have WAY too much to do anyway. And I can use Facebook as a tool, and not let it become a crutch.

I don't have to "like" everything.
I do not need to reply to that message immediately.
I absolutely do not need to see every comment right after it was made and the "likes" I get will be there later...

I do not need Facebook... and that officially makes me feel free.

I could be the only one with my Facebook addiction, but something tells me I am not ;) It may not be Facebook for you, it could be a game, or Twitter. It could be Youtube or Words with Friends... Whatever you are "captured" by... consider letting it go for awhile, and gain a valuable perspective on what you do with your precious time. I know I have learned a great deal and I truly pray I do not go back.