I'm back from my social networking break; after seven days (one entire week?!?!) of abstinence I finally decided it was time to return. My desire in this blog is to give you the reason why I went through this journey, my thoughts/feelings during this past week, and my goals for the future. So I encourage you to continue reading this blog and maybe this will encourage you to take a break from the social networking world for a bit as well.
Over the past few weeks, many of my friends and co-workers have been jokingly teasing me about always being on Facebook/Twitter; they kept making jokes about I'm always updating all the time. In reality, I was hardly ever on the Facebook/Twitter websites. My usual routine is to update my Twitter by texting from my phone. Once the update goes to my Twitter, it automatically updates my Facebook status (wow, technology makes life simpler). Because of the ease of updating my status, I tend to do it a lot, thus making me look like I'm on the Twitter/Facebook sites constantly. Regardless, I decided that it was time for a break from the social networking world. My friend Courtney even offered me free babysitting for a night or a free dinner if I could take a break for 24 hours. This was a nice offer, but not my motivation for taking a break. So last Monday I decided to take a break from status updating, going on Facebook/Twitter, and even blogging.
During those 72 hours I felt many urges to go online, to use my phone to check status updates, or to even open TweekDeck (a Facebook/Twitter application). I was very happy to know that I had support from many of my friends who were pleased I was doing this. My friend Michelle even decided to join me in this venture! People were constantly asking me, "Tim, how's it going with the whole Facebook/Twitter thing?" My response was simply, "pretty good." The closer I got to the 72 hour mark, the more I realized that I really didn't miss much. So when I hit the 72 hour mark, I decided to extend my break an extra day, then an extra day, then eventually a week. Needless to say, it's been a week and I've been perfectly fine. Even as I write this blog, I haven't checked everything I've missed in the Facebook/Twitter world (admittedly it's probably not much).
Today my friend Ilan asked me if anything will change from this, like being on Facebook/Twitter less. I honestly think I will be social networking less. I was actually surprised about how well I was able to give these things up.
Please don't get me wrong, I have nothing against social networking. It just needs to be a secondary thing in our lives, not a primary thing. There are many positive usages for Facebook/Twitter and they both hold an intrical piece in our society. But I've come to realize that some people (myself included) rely to much on them as the centerpiece of one's day. Life shouldn't be centered around Facebook/Twitter for us. Life should be about our faith, family, and friends.
What's the center of your daily life?
1 comment:
I've been using the internet for a year or so. It is intriguing that people are surprised that it is addicting. There is a lot of excitement about the information that is available. We use to go to the library for what is now available with a touch of a key board.
The social network is what you make of it. Like any tool in the hands a skilled craftsman, amazing things can come from it. I’m glad to see that you did not dismiss this tool as foolishness. It does remind me that writing is one form of communication used by God in the giving of the law. This law being the vehicle to bring us to the knowledge of our need for a Savior. Some of us may never see Jesus in our neighbor, but the written Word accomplishes what the Author meant it to (we see Him there).
There is nothing more exciting for someone than to join in on what God is doing, Our words and our lives are being read by someone, even if we do not always respond.
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