Facebook Hibernate Mode

July 1, 2012 - I decided to hibernate from Facebook. I have been wanting to do this months prior to my actual hibernation.  For the longest time, I couldn't, and I hate myself for it.  
Then something monumental happened on the 1st day of June which compelled me to look for a sacrifice to swap for an advocacy.  Top of mind was Facebook.  Don't get me wrong, I didn't say I QUIT. I said, I am hibernating.  As a 33-year old woman, I always try to do things for the right reasons (as much as I could). When I do, I experience great  struggles and hibernating from Facebook is not at all different.  Let me share the reasons why I did.

1. It's such a "time-waster". I realized that I am wasting a lot of my precious time just browsing through all the things that are written on my home page.  I even caught myself just scrolling up and down looking at the same posts. UNLIKE! (Hey! I could  have cleaned the bathroom during those precious moments instead. It will surely relieve me of my stress more than seeing not so productive posts)  

2. It's addictive.  I hate it when I feel that I am being drawn to something more than I should. I felt that I am not being fair to myself when there are a lot of productive things that I could have done.  I should have used those times to write, read or research on things that would be helpful to my growth. It's like a compulsion.  "Once you pop you just can't stop!". Every waking hours of my laptop is synonymous to FB. UNLIKE! So I guess it's time to PAUSE and reflect. (Boo! What ever happens to self-discipline)

3. It's anti-social.  In the past, I tried humoring myself that it's my way of being connected to my friends wherever they are. But I got lots of friends listed there that are more interested posting about silly stuff, playing apps/games or simply posting updates that are most of the time RANTING & RAVING. Only few, and I mean ONLY FEW are really concern about how you are or "what's up" with you. Only few would even say "hi" when you bump into their names in the CHAT area.   Funniest thing is a lot of people will add you and not even know what happens to you afterwhich. I just felt that the number of friends make them feel good somehow. Don't forget those who UNFRIEND you in a click of a mouse. UNLIKE! (Hahaha! Let me think, maybe I was the anti-social not FB. To each his own)

4. Missing out on WEB Logging (BLOG). UNLIKE! Imagine, I have not visited Facebook for  half a month only and I got a lot of things going for me on the web. I've been wanting to do this way back in 2010. So I activated my  Blogger account and developed 2 blogs, Mind Burst and Mom of Seraphim . I am now a member of Bloggers  and Mom Bloggers Club as well. 
     Prior to hibernation, I have been enjoying Pinterest and became a "happy Pinner"   already. To top it all, Google+ is pretty fabulous. (Come on! You could have done that while FBing! Excuses! Excuses!)

5. Explore life other than Facebook. Most often than not I peeked into my FB a lot more than necessary. Now, I connect more with my "real friends" in a more personal manner - SMS, Mobile Calls, Email invites and bonding over coffee. LIKE! (I am even prouder of myself that I hibernated from FB.)

     As I have said, I am on hibernation mode ONLY.   FB has been helpful to me. It is actually a tool that could be very effective if utilized well. Before I went into hibernation, I've started utilizing it more as a business tool. I've created 2 business pages, GoodHope Enterprise and i-MAJ.MarketingServices.  I merchandise products, promote events, invite friends and link those FB business pages to my personal page.
     
     I will go back.  Maybe after a month. This time for the right reasons.  I will discipline myself to use FB as a tool - to connect, communicate and be empowered.  Facebook is there to be used to our advantage.  Let us not be slaves to FB.  (I'm convincing myself in a small voice. Hahaha!)

     When I am ready, I will go back to FB on a different light. When I do I will tell FB that...IT'S NOT YOU FB...IT'S ME!  :)