Fifty-hours Facebook Free #50hrFBf

The terrorist attack that happened in Christchurch several weeks ago caused a tremendous soar in social media use – the good, the very bad, and the unforgettable. Whatever form of media you turned to, it was there whether you wanted to or not; television, radio, Facebook, Instagram, online news sources… it was too much for me. I didn’t want to see the horrific outcomes of this event, I didn’t want this to be the only thing I thought and talked about. So, I lessened my use of social media and news platforms, about 10 days had passed and the bombardment of the event began to lessen across news sources but I just needed a break from it; I needed to look after my mental health and continue to focus on life beyond tragedy.

I took a 50-hr Facebook time-out, and shit it felt good. Off went the quick-link on my computer, and ‘delete’ went the app on my phone. I made it hard for myself to break this by making the only means to accessing Facebook would be if I were to manually type in the address and press enter.

Let me start my saying that I am not a social media-dependent person. I do not seek gaining ‘likes’, friends, ‘followers’ – I didn’t think that this would have more of an impact than just the chance for my brain to take a break from all of the news.

I was wrong.

There were a few lessons I learned from my #50hrFBf mission, and I’ll summarise the top 5:

1. When people say you get more free time when you get your head out of the social media stratosphere, they aren’t kidding. No more eating or chatting to those in front of me while my thumb does a wee scroll on my phone. I studied more, created more complex meals, had quality conversations to those I care about…

2. My mind had freed up and become freer to be in the here and now. I wasn’t thinking about what others were posting, or tagging me in. I wasn’t concerned about capturing my life in a picture to post so that everybody else could know what I was up to. If someone needed to contact me, then they would do so on another platform. If someone wanted to share with me something and did not text or call, then it could wait until I saw it

3. There is so much useless and unnecessary SHIT on Facebook, and I realised how stupid it was to have this shit in my life. I don’t give two flying cows about what meme is making the rounds, or the product some influencer is trying to slap me in the face with, or the promotions and advertisements I have no control over seeing. I just simply don’t have the time or a care to give anymore.

4. I value the connections and friendships Facebook messenger provides, but also appreciate the possibility of not being contacted 24-7. I shouldn’t feel obliged to reply to a 3am, 11pm, or 12pm message as soon as I get one. My life does not revolve around my screen, and my availability to answer such things does not need to be all day, everyday

5. The negativity that is broadcasted, and self-comparison that is triggered whenever you open your browser can have such a simple solution to reduce it – DON’T OPEN THE BLOODY TAB TO FACEBOOK. The real world does not have such a negative-focus, and all you see is not diet fads or people practicing clearly unhealthy lifestyles… it is real people. Getting on with real things… looking however they like, eating whatever they like, and not shoving their abs, fat-loss product, or smile in your face.

Will I continue being Facebook free? Short answer – no. I need this app and website for family and friend communication, event promotion, and work purposes.

Will I continue in doing #50hrFBf in my life? – Yes Will I reduce the access and control Facebook has in my life? – Yes Will I read and believe everything I see or hear? – No Will I reply to any and all messages, comments, notifications, ‘dings’ and ‘dongs’? – Nope

Would I recommend a #50hrFBf? Fuck yes.

Try it out.

Let me know how you find it. You might like it, you might hate it, you may realise how much of a unconscious control and power such social media sites have on you. Either way, you’ll learn something about yourself, and hopefully come to appreciate the truth, real-ness, and rawness occurring right in front of you.

Your friend,

Rawing Meg xx