My Year Without Facebook

This is the post i have been putting off because i want people to understand just how much pain this New Years Resolution has put me through!!!!!!! But i also want this blog to get across just how much i learnt and all sorts of things and explaining myself or anything for that matter is just not my forte!!!

So i will interview .... myself ....

What has been the hardest part about not having facebook this year?

The hardest part was definitely in the beginning. Getting used to not checking it 50 times a day. The other hardest part was probably coming home from camp. I had so many new friends i wanted to add and to keep in contact with.

What did you do with your spare time you would normally be on facebook?

I would like to have something amazing to say here ie. went hiking, go out, explored the world, did new things etc but the truth of the matter is, i just looked at other sites ie. youtube, played an online game called immortal night, used messengers etc. If that STILL left too much time i'd just play the Sims 3 when i'd get bored or i'd put the tv on.

How did your lifestyle or personality change because you weren't using facebook?

I haven't really been in touch with the world and that was good and bad. It was good because i wasn't accused of being part of any malicious facebook arguments or fights. I tuned out of conversations that revolved around facebook most of the time. On the other hand, i was left out of the loop a lot. Not being invited to things etc.

What did you learn about the impact that social media (ie. facebook) has in society?

It plays such an important role. There are people i don't have any other way of contacting except via facebook and a lot of people don't use emails to keep in contact anymore. Facebook has become this widespread phenomenon that is the preferred method of online contact and you are really out of the loop without it, particularly if you have contacts from all different parts of your life ie. work, school, church, camps, parties, uni, college, etc. I mean, if all your friends were in the one place and from the one part of your life then sure, i don't think it would be too bad but when your contact circle is so wide, facebook makes it easier to commuicate. There are also events that you learn about from your contacts on facebook. I'm looking forward to seeing lots of people's wedding photos!!!!

What were some positives about not using facebook?

Life is more simple and although i have not taken advantage of it, there is more time to do different and new things.

Did you cheat/break your resolution?

No. I'd like to think that i didn't and technically i 'm right because the resolution was not to use facebook, which i have succeeded in doing, so no i didn't break my resolution. However, at the end of August, i was so depressed at not having contact with people online, that i resorted to the arch nemesis 0f Twitter and also reopening my myspace account. Can i just say, myspace is the most lame social media website ever and i will be closing it once i am back on facebook!!!! So although i didn't break my resolution, i definitely found ways around the absence of it. But i learnt that if you take out one thing, it can always be replaced by something else.

Will you go back on Facebook and how do you think your facebook habits will change, if at all?

I love facebook. It is such an important part of technology in the way we communicate now that the absence of it seems like we'd be working harder and not smarter. I will definitely be back in the facebook world, i have struggled without it. Time is precious and i think the hardest thing about not using facebook was not keeping in contact with people - who knows how long we can keep in touch. I don't waste time like that again. i want people to constantly know i love, appreciate and value them and i don't want to ever miss those opportunities again. As for my facebook habits, they will probably not change, possibly even intensify!!!! =]

Can't wait to read all your msgs and accept all your requests!!!!

Facebook i love you and all your inhabitants!!!!

See you in 2011 in under 24 hours!!!!

LOVE AND EXCITEMENT!!!!