Monday, June 17, 2013

The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly



I've been struggling lately and I'm not gonna lie, I've been considering going off Facebook.

Earth shattering, I know.

I have deleted my account before (before I had Facebook for my blog), and it was one of the most freeing things I've done. The pull to just sit at the computer and see what everyone else was doing wasn't there. I was MUCH more productive and it may seem silly, but I just felt light and unburdened.

Facebook is a wonderful way for keeping in touch with a lot of people. It's easy to see what everyone is up to, but there is also a huge downside. It is a total time waster and it is soo very easy to think you'll get on for a minute only to realize a half hour later that your still...on...Facebook.

If I didn't have a blog it probably wouldn't be such a big deal, but I do and so I am worried about how it will affect me if I do. I know most people who read blogs will read the new posts because they show up in their news feed. I don't want to lose my readers (you!). I hope you know that I am thoroughly enjoying all the nice and encouraging comments I get from you, both on this blog and on Facebook.  It's really great! My blog isn't my 'business' though, I write it because I love to write and I find great joy and satisfaction from it.

I don't get much satisfaction out of Facebook. Sorry.

Facebook + me = stress.

Here is where I am right now. I have been lax about my Facebook use lately and if I'm being honest I'm on it way too much. It's affecting my productivity and as you know, when you live on a farm (or not) there's always something that needs to be done. I get caught up in trying to 'keep up' with everyone else and trying to promote myself. I get lost in comparing and it's hard not to spend the whole day on the computer doing Facebook updates. Now, I am not condemning those who have made blogging their business. I am not here trying to tell anyone that their spending too much time on the internet.

Now, I do love instagram as well and it is just so easy. Much easier to post a quick picture than on Facebook, and it's not nearly as distracting. Probably because it's much more limited in what it can do as compared to Facebook.

I would rather write a post about my day, the happenings on the farm, the funnies that my kids say and do...on my blog. If I have to choose between better content on my blog or on Facebook, I choose my blog. I also dream of writing a book...

I haven't decided 100% if I'm going off or not, but I've got to make some changes. I love this blog and I love writing to you, but my family and duties must come first!

I'd love to know what you think, not because I want you to make my decision for me, but to know what to expect should I decide to go off Facebook.

I really want to grow as a writer, as a blogger, but much more I want to grow to love Christ more and I am needing to get my priorities straight. I need to do all things to glorify God and right now, I'm thinking I need to do some housekeeping when it comes to my internet/media use.

15 comments:

  1. FB is a time suck. I'll be honest- I like it because I have lived many different places in the last 10 years so it allows me to keep in touch with friends all over the world. I will still read your blog if you get rid of it. Is there a way I can just have all your posts sent to my e-mail? Otherwise a week might go by before I realized I didn't read it. Also I guess I will have to learn how to check my instagram Feed- I only look at what gets posted to FB (Which is why I never even see what my husband Instagrams) My name is melissa and I have been a Facebook user since 2003!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I have taken Facebook breaks, and have several friends who left it for good. I think it's good to recognize when something is not a positive force in your life! I will definitely still read the blog and see your instagram updates if you leave Facebook. Like you said, the blog is not your business so priorities come first.

    It's inspiring to see down to earth, Christian people who "get it"!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Your too funny Melissa. :) I am going to try to put something up where you can get my post via e-mail. I've been thinking about doing that but wasn't sure if people would want it.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Have you consider getting an iPhone, tablet, or iPod (the latter two function on wifi only)? I found myself doing the same thing when I only had my computer and I got a smartphone for other convenience/fun reasons, and it ended up SAVING me time. With Facebook on the phone, I have a lot more portability -- I also use it for appointments, notes to remember certain things, shopping list, etc, quick camera when I don't have time or hands to get my regular camera, etc.

    I really struggled with my enjoyment of online activities and spending quality time at home. Now that I have something that conforms to my needs/wants, it's a lot easier to maintain that balance since I can also write and edit my blogs, and Facebook blog page, from it.

    I hope you find something or some way that you can also find that unique balance to resolve what you're feeling. It's not easy being raising a family, running a household, and making time for yourself but most of us understand your reasons! If you decide to go the smartphone route, let me know if I can help through a personal tutorial since I work with technology and would be happy to help you maintain your online presence without sacrificing your time.
    Good luck with your decision, and rest assure that most of will still follow your blog even if you're not on Facebook. :)

    ReplyDelete
  5. Thanks Brianna! I do have a smartphone and it has helped, but I'm home enough that Facebook browsing is too easily accessible. :)

    ReplyDelete
  6. I struggle with the same thing. Love FB for keeping in touch with family and friends, but I find I waste so much time on it (mostly on my tablet). I then get discouraged and let down because I compare myself to all of these great moms who do so much. I have found that taking a break from it on the weekends really helps, as my heart and mind are readied for church every Sunday without the distraction of what is going on with everyone else. My moods are so much better!

    ReplyDelete
  7. I got off of Facebook awhile back. I'm never going back. It was a huge time waster for me (even with a smartphone and iPad). It wasn't doing me any good and causing too much sin temptation (unjust judgement, envy, sloth...to name a few) for me. I just deleted my account one day on a whim. I am so glad I did!!! I found your blog through a link-up on another blog. I haven't ever been a The Shepherd's Farm fan on FB, so I'll definitely still be reading :) . I wish you luck with your decision.

    ReplyDelete
  8. I think it's a great idea. I've considered it myself a number of times and if it wasn't used by my church for mass communication I probably would ditch it.

    I'll definitely read the blog either way. Keep up the great posts. BTW... our family is hooked on Victorian Farm. Not sure whether to thank you or blame you. :)

    ReplyDelete
  9. Ah, you can do either one! It's such a great show!

    ReplyDelete
  10. There are times I'm like that too, even with my iPhone! Sometimes I have to tell myself to just put it down for the moment and enjoy life, that it will be there later when i have time. I think that's why sometimes I prefer Twitter and Instagram, I can still keep up with the friends who don't have a blog and their growing children. If it weren't for some family/friends that want to see our own updates (who are only on Facebook), there probably wouldn't be much appeal to the site!

    ReplyDelete
  11. I don't blame you ref to FaceBook and either way, I'll love your blog. FB has become a burden to me. I go daily, well several times daily and read my messages but I just don't spend the time there that I used to or that I did on MySpace. Too time consuming and too boring. I want to love everyone, but I tell ya, I really don't care that you're going to go check the mail, bbl, or going to go take a shower, bbl...very tiring. Very sad.

    ReplyDelete
  12. I love this post. I went off of facebook for several years and have created an account in a fake name with my telephone number ONLY to follow homesteading blogs and essential oil blogs. I am not friends with anyone that is not a blog and the only person that knows is my husband and I am not his friend. I feel at times it can be fake and I want to be real.

    ReplyDelete
  13. That's not a bad idea, but I can see how it could feel fake. Facebook is a great way to keep in touch with everyone, it just does have it's major downsides too.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Thank you Barbara. I totally understand about not needing to know what a person does every second of the day. That is one of the reasons why I went off Facebook for a while a few years back. :)

    ReplyDelete

Have a seat, enjoy the conversation, and welcome to the farm.