Checking OUT of Facebook to focus on self?

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Replies

  • WendyTerry420
    WendyTerry420 Posts: 13,274 Member
    That has never occurred to me. I have managed to stick to my goals in spite of my participation on Facebook. I'm not sure how "checking out of Facebook" would be beneficial to me. But whatever works for you. :flowerforyou:
  • WendyTerry420
    WendyTerry420 Posts: 13,274 Member
    Actually, I don't find the pictures of my friends from school to be perfect. Most are overweight and look pretty rough. I think if you think it will help you then you should. But might I also suggest talking to someone. If you feel so dissatisfied with life that you compare it to your friend's lives often, then there might be a problem.

    I could be way off base, but that's just my take on things.

    This is true for me as well. I have several friends from high school that put on a LOT more weight than I ever did. And a few of them look like they have really been through the ringer these past 20 years.
  • EmilyJackCO
    EmilyJackCO Posts: 621 Member
    I have actually been off of Facebook for 9 months now... I was suffering terrible anxiety and panic attacks, and that was one of the first things suggested. It has made a HUGE difference in how I function. I miss my friends a lot and I miss some activities, but I have a LOT more time to do the things I really need to to take care of myself.
  • enigmachik
    enigmachik Posts: 150
    Yes, I found myself obsessively checking for no good reason. I found myself getting depressed with all the "I'm engaged!", "I just got married!" "I'm pregnant" "I'm so many weeks along" "I just had a baby!" etc etc...all those life events that seem to elude me. The constant updates about them started to make me feel like a failure at life.

    Soo, I deactivated my account. I've actually started engaging people IN REAL LIFE. And when people in real life have these events, you are genuinely happy for them because you are part of the journey. I haven't been on facebook at all since September and I'm much happier now!
  • andrewparker1
    andrewparker1 Posts: 12
    I quit facebook. Everyone is either super negative, or they are trying to pretend their life is awesome when it isn't. It was depressing me.
  • Belinda658
    Belinda658 Posts: 181 Member
    I've spent less time on fb since joining here
  • iorahkwano
    iorahkwano Posts: 709 Member
    I find Facebook helps me:

    1) It helps me network with other fitness pals (Encouraging one another to come to a workout, sharing recipes, finding out about local events or useful websites, sharing inspirational photos/quotes).

    2) It makes me feel good about myself to "check-in" to a gym on Facebook, sort of a little "I did it! :D" to myself. Likes or comments from friends are nice, but I'm posting more for my own record rather than to get "likes."

    3) It's a place I can write about a workout accomplishment or post gym photos that I can look back on. Friends will cheer me on, share their own workouts/progress or give advice.

    4) People new to working out ask me advice, about gym schedules or ask me to accompany them to a class at the gym I go to, and it makes me feel happy that I can assist someone to getting on a healthy path.

    5) It helps me become better friends with trainers & people I meet in the gym, races, events, etc. Normally it's a bit hard to get a word in at an intense workout & we'd all go home knowing nothing about each other. But by adding each other on Facebook, we can learn about each other or have a friendship bud out of a facebook convo if we're shy. Knowing what's going on in the lives of my workout pals makes it easy for me to start a convo in real life with them... ask how something went, discuss a photo they posted or bring up something you both like :)

    6) I actually LOVE seeing photos of fit friends on Facebook! It amazes me, reminds me to work out & that a great body IS possible without photoshop & deception lol. Well at least I assume they haven't photoshopped it!

    As for all the negative, depressing or annoying posters of Facebook... I unfriend those users, skip over their ranty paragraphs or sometimes their posts make me realize how lucky I am that I have no real drama in my life. And that I'm using Facebook for positivity rather than negativity!

    I know MFP can do many of the above things I mentioned, but Facebook helps keep it local for me. Support from people I know in real life. And it's a little more organized photo-wise.
  • NCchar130
    NCchar130 Posts: 955 Member
    Yes, I found myself obsessively checking for no good reason. I found myself getting depressed with all the "I'm engaged!", "I just got married!" "I'm pregnant" "I'm so many weeks along" "I just had a baby!" etc etc...all those life events that seem to elude me. The constant updates about them started to make me feel like a failure at life.

    Soo, I deactivated my account. I've actually started engaging people IN REAL LIFE. And when people in real life have these events, you are genuinely happy for them because you are part of the journey. I haven't been on facebook at all since September and I'm much happier now!

    I already commented earlier in the thread but this is pretty much me in a nutshell! It was fun for awhile. But, husband and I can't have kids (and I'd love to), and when I was also unemployed and recovering from back surgery, it got a little old reading the Pure Joy updates from everyone I ever used to know. Since these were people I had reconnected with via Facebook only, it didn't feel much different after awhile than reading celebrity news about all those beautiful people every day. There wasn't really any value added to my life since I already knew the information posted by my friends in real life.

    My issues with Facebook were MY issues, not the people on my friends list. I just felt so free when I removed it from my life altogether.
  • destack
    destack Posts: 33 Member
    I definitely know that there are traps I can fall into on Facebook. Certain people, former romantic partners or the popular girls from high school, never make me feel better after seeing status updates or pictures. I really like the idea of taking a break from the site for a little bit!
  • madcat_wechanged
    madcat_wechanged Posts: 51
    I broke up with FB and it was the best decision I made!
  • BarbellBlondieRuns
    BarbellBlondieRuns Posts: 511 Member
    I deleted mine. Great decision. Helped me focus on what really matters in life ♥
  • DoomCakes
    DoomCakes Posts: 806 Member
    Facebook isn't my issue. I don't care who looks like what... I need to check out of WoW... but I can't manage to break away.
  • ladymiseryali
    ladymiseryali Posts: 2,555 Member
    I abandoned my facebook years ago. Too much drama and way too much stupidity. Plus, the violations of personal rights and privacy didn't help either.
  • Natihilator
    Natihilator Posts: 1,778 Member
    Facebook kind of makes me feel like crap. But I hardly check into it anymore, since joining MFP (which makes me feel waaaaay better about myself)
  • MissCarter79
    MissCarter79 Posts: 227 Member
    Have any of you ever tried checking out from Facebook for a while to focus on yourself? Does it help your self image? I feel like often I get wrapped up in looking at all the "perfect" pictures of friends from college or high school, even though I rationally know that not everyone can that amount of perfect pictures all the time, and end up feeling a bit down about myself. Does checking out for a while help?

    I say YES!! I quit for two weeks back in February to see how that would feel. Then deactivated it altogether about a month later. I haven't regretted it for a second! I was obsessed with checking it on my phone, computer, etc, but found that it didn't actually 'reconnect' me to anyone from my past. And it was hard not to compare myself to others. I have done some amazing things in my life since leaving; I think leaving might have been part of it.

    I haven't deactivated, but sometimes I think I need to. I check it constantly and compare myself not only from a physical standpoint, but from a financial and moral standpoint as well. I always compare myself to everyone on there.
  • DiaryOfaThickFitWoman
    DiaryOfaThickFitWoman Posts: 406 Member
    <<<<<<<<<<<4 months strong breaker over here.
  • kdiamond
    kdiamond Posts: 3,329 Member
    Facebook is FAKE, trust me everyone's pictures are fake, they post the best ones to impress people and most of them don't look like that or are hiding something.

    I was on there once in 2009 for a couple of months but realized what a time waster it was and have been so much happier and productive since cancelling my account. If a person exercised instead of the time they wasted on Facebook (26 minutes per day on average according to a study done) there is the 30 minutes per day that is recommended.
  • HSingMomto7Kids
    HSingMomto7Kids Posts: 345 Member
    Well MFP seems to be my new FB. lol
  • mgobluetx12
    mgobluetx12 Posts: 1,326 Member
    I very seldom visit Facebook. MFP has become my social network. But, I did notice that the people I had as friends, that went to school with me, had not changed. I still feel that I am not included.

    I could have written the exact same thing.
  • ladyark
    ladyark Posts: 1,101 Member
    Every once in a while i take a vacation from FB. Since i started on MFP i dont have as much time to spend on there as i used to and honestly i really dont miss it that much.
  • kathheen
    kathheen Posts: 108 Member
    Yes definately i stopped going on for around 8 months and really didnt miss it we call it 'fakebook'
    Now i barely use it, it was unreal 8 months later same updates same moans - not healthy how addictive it can be and how many people live their lives through it
  • drgmac
    drgmac Posts: 716 Member
    I havent had a Facebook account for over two years. Yes, I am happier here because this has a focus. I know enough people who DO have a Facebook account that if I am curious or wanting to get in touch with someone, I can make some type of connection. I am l almost 46 years old and this site offers motivation, support, fun, and with a purpose. Good Luck!
  • Jeneba
    Jeneba Posts: 699 Member
    I am finding it makes me feel lonely.

    I am a very social person and connect with "friends" all over the world. Most of us are mainly connecting through similar cultural interests even if we disagree about the issues.

    But I find that looking compulsively for reactions to my posts is becoming something pavlovian - I am always waiting for the next "treat." I think it disguises the fact that there are very few people in my molecular life who care enough to keep in touch. With my recent injury, I was shocked at the lack of initiative among my friends and family to check in with me to see how I am doing: out of sight, out of mind. It has been a HUGE wake-up call. And the only antidote is to NOT be like any of those people and to remove my expectations of them by distancing myself from them. this is as true of "real life" as it is of Facebook. So.... Am not going to take a complete break but I am definitely going to cut down. Thanks for posting a great topic!

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