Taking a Break from Facebook

DenaJuly 29, 2009

I will admit it – I was a Facebook nerd long before it reached its current state of popularity. I remember one day, back when I was an undergrad (the whole 3 years ago), when Facebook “got popular.” All of a sudden every one of my sorority sisters was on there. Eventually, all of my professors were on there, too. Then came the day when… dun, dun, dun… my own mother had a Facebook account!

It wasn’t long after that when I started thinking about making a change or at least taking a break. I found myself stalking through photographs, obsessively checking friends’ status updates and when I got my blackberry – the whole situation exploded. I knew it was time.

Yesterday I made the status update, “Dena Botbyl will be taking a break from facebook for awhile — maybe a week, maybe a year. email me if you miss me too much: denabotbyl@gmail.com” and I can not tell you how liberating it was. Of course I got the, What happened!?!? and Is everything alright? responses but that was to be expected. Nobody saw this coming.

I want to focus on being more productive. Recently, I’ve discovered several amazing career-minded networking sites including BrazenCareerist, Young Association Professionals, and I’m even making my way into the insanity of Twitter. Facebook is a great tool and I will invariably return one day but right now I’m spreading my wings a bit.

What do you think? Have you ever needed to take a break from a social networking site? Have you ever felt “digital overwhelm?”

I’m excited to hear your thoughts!

-Dena

Comments (4)

  • Martha Lee Phelps

    August 6, 2009 at 11:46 am

    Hey Dena –
    Thanks for making this post a week ago – just in time to help me find the words I've been looking for in order to take my own break from Facebook. As "easy" as it makes it seem to keep in touch with friends, its soundbyte delivery system is not the quality of realtionship I want to have with the people I care about. I don't know how long my "break" will be, but I'm happy to step back for a spell and invest in connection-making (with others and myself) in a deeper way.

  • Dena

    August 7, 2009 at 7:48 am

    Martha –

    I am so glad that you could relate! You are 100% right. I am beginning to see Facebook as a valuable tool for professional, networking, marketing, and promotion. I still consider it a good starting point to connect with long-lost relatives & friends; however it should not serve as an alternative for a phone call or a night out with friends. When it becomes a distraction from true life, it is time to take a break. I am going to check out your blog. Thanks for stopping by!

    Peace & love you you, my friend.

  • Andrew

    October 18, 2009 at 10:02 pm

    Get Well Soon.

    Well that's what everyone thinks if you're taking a facebook hiatus! It's terrible when someone you 'knew' talks to you about where you were on Friday night, because they saw you tagged in a photo! Privacy is a thing of the past. Facebook stalking is a new alternative to TV.

  • Dena

    October 22, 2009 at 9:06 am

    @Andrew – Ha! You know what you are ABSOLUTELY right. I was disgusted (with myself & others) when I decided to take a break from Facebook. It was an incredible time for me. During my hiatus, I started my blog and made a ton of amazing positive connections.

    Since then I've gotten back on Facebook but with a much different purpose. Now I use Facebook to connect with loved ones & inspiring connections. I do not check it obsessively for updates and I don't update my status every time I take a trip to the 'loo.

    It definitely has its strengths but, like anything, it's about balance.

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