Why I Deactivated My Facebook Account
I disconnected my Facebook profile and I can’t tell you how liberating it feels. The thought of waking up and living each day in the present, savoring each moment, as opposed to living through the social media lens, is invigorating.
Sure, you might miss out on updates from friends located all around the world. You might miss moments when others could “like” one of your posts about seeing some celebrity at the supermarket or about your latest promotion. Maybe, you’re just posing with your real estate agent, who helped you land the home of your dreams.
But, what if none of that mattered? What if you took a higher, more humble road and refrained from blasting your latest victory, and instead decided to deactivate your Facebook account, altogether? We’re not talking about being too drastic and deleting it, but how bad would it be to take a vacation from the overpowering and addicting world of social media? Now don’t get me wrong, social media for business marketing purposes is highly effective. But, it can also dissolve reality and make us believe we have more support than we actually do and that we are more important than we actually are.
Facebook, more so than any other social media sites gives one the illusion of friendships that don’t actively exist outside of the viral world. And no other sites have gotten more people fired, either.
To illustrate that social profiles never die, Facebook allows you to reactivate your profile at anytime without losing any friends or any content you previously posted. So, you’re disconnecting without actually losing anything – and keeping Facebook’s ad revenue stream intact.
So, what is the purpose of disconnecting then, if all your “stuff” is forever documented online? Well, sometimes we need to take a mental break from Facebook and other sites. That might come across as too simple of a solution for some, especially those who cannot imagine life without logging in. Personally, I have found Facebook to be not only time consuming but also a disengagement tool rather than one of engagement, as users can choose to easily ignore real-life friends for fake ones they don’t really know – and they don’t know us – so there is a reduced chance of rejection.
We relegate “friends” to two-dimensional photos and profiles and erect walls to our real self via timeline posts that are often exaggerated to say the least.
The Bottom Line:
My reason for deactivating my account isn’t technical in nature, but personal. I grew tired of the political games, namely the comparisons of where you’ve worked, where you went to school, your social status, pedigree, and current personal or career success. While on one hand inspiring, it can also often be horribly demoralizing. Not because talent doesn’t deserve to be recognized, but that to be recognized, you have to unabashedly trumpet your skills, education and accomplishments.
Now, this is not to say that every profile on Facebook belongs to a braggart, but I felt bombarded by what everyone wants the world to see rather than what the world really is. Everyone wants the best digital profile with perfect family pictures and cute captions. I’ve been guilty of the very same thing after I had my daughter. It’s hard to be a proud parent and not end up exploiting your child’s cuteness. But in reality, many on Facebook aren’t even close to being perfect, or frankly caring much about what’s going on in your life. They’re living each day just to get by, hoping there will be energy left for a shower, let alone spending the rest of the day completely being consumed by a baby.
I do still use Facebook for professional reasons only, so I have a few of my pages managed by someone else. I also use other social media sites for professional reasons. Other than that, Facebook, I bid you adieu. You’re not going anywhere, but I have somewhere to be at the moment. And that’s on my way to being a better me, without the presumption that others need to watch me every step of the way.
Writing With Hope 
February 20, 2016 at 9:28 AM
I deleted my account several years ago, and I’m still reluctant to go back to it. Facebook is one of those things that keeps my family glued to their mobile devices while ignoring each other. It’s the source of a lot of angst for me. It also makes me feel uncomfortable that I get tagged in pictures even though I’m not on it.
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February 20, 2016 at 12:51 PM
I agree, it keeps you plugged in and more focused on the digital world. Rather than actually talking to one another at a dinner table for example, everyone’s on their phones more interested in the latest FB update.
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February 28, 2016 at 1:40 AM
I established a account with a false name to stay in touch with my son when he left home. I asked him not to tell anyone else about it and he never has. I never comment on his page. I never “like” anything and I don’t friend anyone including him. I still get those annoying “Do you know…” mails which are frighteningly accurate as to my actually knowing them. I give nowaccurate information in my profile, actually none at all and still I get the mails. I have never commented on any Facebook page of anyone’s and still I get “found.”
My wife had a page under her real name only to keep up with the grand kids doings and photos. She began to get all kinds of friend requests she didn’t want. The tipping point that caused her to close the account was a phone call she made to our oldest daughter who was having a function at her house. My wife asked what our daughter wanted her to bring for a dish. Our daughter didn’t say but instead told my wife, “I posted it on your Facebook page.” That account was immediately closed. Our daughter was made very aware that you will take, return, and make phone calls to your Momma and not message or text her instead.
You done good.
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February 29, 2016 at 12:44 AM
Dan,
The whole “I posted it on your Facebook page” scenario you mention regarding your daughter’s communication with her mother/your wife is exactly what I am talking about. I understand because I actually get hired to help with social media (mostly on a freelance basis.) So, I really, really understand that this is the latest way people “communicate.” I analyze it on a business/marketing level and also try to research why people engage on a personal level. Social media is fantastic and great as a marketing tool. BUT…it’s highly impersonal and ought not to be used as a replacement for real life communication.
I also noticed lack of reciprocity and snooty, snubbing behavior on a viral level. Yes, social media can be used as a way to revert to high school behavior. This is why I use social media to help promote content on a business/professional level and am glad twitter allows for only 140 characters. It’s too easy to post crazy rants on FB. I got off it and prefer loved ones actually call me directly. But, it’s still foreign for them. They’re like, huh? An actual real conversation? Not a text message? Like, actually meet in person void of technology and social media distraction?
What a concept.
Don’t get me wrong, I will likely return to FB. But, let’s just say I’m currently on a Facebook vacation.
Thanks for your insightful comment, thoughtfulness is rare and greatly appreciated. 🙂
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February 29, 2016 at 7:23 AM
I can remember when if you were wait at the doctors office, or in line, or for a bus, or on a flight or most anywhere else you might strike up a conversation with someone. Now everyone has their nose stuck to a piece of glass or every ear held captive by a constantly hanging bluetooth tied to a device that is so big they have to carry it in a hand all the while hoping the battery doesn’t run out but fortunately they are also lugging the charger with them so the can find an outlet to plug it in each place they visit for more than fifteen minutes all the while hoping no one steps on or steals it and that they don’t miss an important call during the process as they sit in a place not near the window to enjoy the view since other people are not wanting to talk but text and surf but at a spot that was chosen only for it’s proximity to said outlet all the while not realizing they are and addicted slave devoted to serving their device instead of the device serving them in pursuit of their higher purpose which should be establishing a relationship with this world and its other occupants.
As a writer, don’t you just love the rapid fire quality of that last sentence and how it displays techno-frustration (and then, of course, my coining or the term “techno-frustration”.) I so love playing with words, context and syntax. And no, I’m not an English major and I frequently dangle my participles for the sake of expedient functionality with no feelings of any guilt whatsoever when I wish to. Like just then.
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