Originally, tomorrow morning would have been the day — the day that I went back to Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.
Four weeks ago on my personal Facebook account, I mentioned that I was thinking about taking a 30-day social media break. Friends dared me to do it, and 30 days became 50. After being dared by C.M. Stewart to go 100 days, it will now be late November before I log back on to any social networks.
I’ve made it a month so far…
This Week, Not So Bad
Last week, I mentioned that I miss social networks on Saturday mornings. It wasn’t until later in the day, yesterday, that I realized I didn’t have the usual Saturday morning urge. I woke up, chatted with my wife, and wrote. I worked a little bit, too. And I relaxed and read.
It wasn’t until getting ready to visit somebody Saturday evening that it dawned on me: I didn’t even think about Facebook, Twitter, or Google+ for most of the day.
Progress Report
While I’m back on another pressing project at work, I’m still working on revising my second novel for an ebook, as well as doing some other writing. I have this weeks’ blog entries written and ready to go. I shot video for some extra Juggling Writer entries. And I still had time to sit around doing nothing.
I’m not saying social media sites took up so much time that I now have tons of extra time, but I did spend a good hour or so each day on social media sites. Since I’ve always made time for writing and relaxing, the extra hour or so makes the time I already set aside seem that much longer. I never realized how quickly the stresses of, “I need to do this, or that,” creep in — even subconsciously.
The “must get ready for work!” feeling in the morning stays away a bit longer, and it takes even longer to get to the “time for bed!” feeling in the evening.
It’s nice.
When It’s Been Hard
When I found out that @dubejuggling wished The Juggling Writer a happy two-years, I really wanted to log on to Twitter and say thanks. It’s still in the back of my head to do just that one thing.
I’m a member of a great local WordPress users’ group. During monthly meetups, the group communicates almost exclusively through Twitter. (#dfwwp.) It’s hard to ignore that.
In mid October comes the big test: I’ll be attending PodCamp Dallas. Especially during tech conferences, nothing seems to beat Twitter for seeing what’s going on and for communicating with everybody. Last-minute changes and impromptu gatherings are usually passed along through Twitter. October 15 will be a tough day.
It was also strange for The Juggling Writer to turn two without mentioning it on social media sites.
But those are the few times it’s been hard. Each week, it gets a little easier.
Next Month
So there it is: one month without social media!
It took some getting used to, but I’m writing, blogging, and relaxing more. There’s a little bit of a reclusive side to not being connected, but I’m also reminded of how into social media I was when somebody hears what I’m doing and they tell me, “I’d DIE without Facebook!”
I’m still alive, and maybe even living a bit better than I was a month ago…
I will refrain from challenging you to go without for 100 years.
lol Ditto what Paul said. I already had my trip to Powertown.
I have to admit my own social media blackout has been very easy. It’s going on 2 weeks without reading my G+ updates. Since I don’t follow a lot of G+ people anyway, the time I spent there was trifling. Still, the break is nice.
Stay strong! 🙂
Paul: If giving up social media meant that I could live a healthy, happy life until 142, I’d never go back!
Right now, I’m not sure how things will change when I go back. But the break has been nice, and each week I miss it all just a little less.
Yes, you pushed me another 50 days–you have the power!
G+ is what I miss the most. Aside from hearing that a juggling prop manufacturer I like mentioned The Juggling Writer, I don’t miss Twitter too much since I set up my blog reader to feed me some of the info I get from Twitter. And Facebook…with very few exceptions (friends I can’t see), I don’t miss it at all. I was not bombarded yesterday with people telling me to never forget 9/11 or that I’m a horrible person if I don’t post something as my status for an hour in honor. That kind of thing.
I initially loved Facebook, but once it became a soapbox for people who like making noise, but rarely take action; once it became the place for people to tell others that if they hate cancer to post this and that as their status, it got old. Having lost my father to cancer when I was 22 and my big sister to the disease when I was 33, I’m not a fan of the disease, but I’m not going to allow it to turn somebody’s social network feed into a chain letter. So it’s pretty easy to stay strong and avoid the sites.
I’m glad your break is going well. I look forward to returning to G+ more than anything…unless in 100 days it’s devolved into the same level of whatever it is that Facebook’s become…
Reading your updates are so inspiring, Chris. I am still working towards structuring my own media fast (or diet).
“unless in 100 days it’s devolved into the same level of whatever it is that Facebook’s become”
If that ever happens my G+ break will be permanent.