Tuesday, February 23, 2010

What I Gave Up for Lent...



Yes, I gave up Facebook.

Most of you don't know me on Facebook. A few months after I started blogging, I decided to keep my blog life and Facebook life separate. Too many co-workers on Facebook.

But I am a bit of Facebook addict.

Status updates. Farmville. Constantly trolling people's profiles and pictures.

After our Pastor preached on fasting a few Sundays ago I decided that I would fast from Facebook. His message was that you don't have to fast from food, you can fast from something else that consumes your mind, time, and attitude.

I realized that most of what I do on Facebook centered around either making myself appear awesome/pretty/"having a way better time than you" or looking at other people's status and profiles wishing I was as rich/pretty/"having as much fun as them."

And Facebook is this huge time suck.

I know Twitter and blogging can be a time suck too -- but they don't suck me in the same way. And they don't produce the same feelings of envy or eminence. Does that make sense?

So what I am doing with my new-found Facebook-free time?

For starters, doing the Bible Gateway Lent Reading Plan. And secondly, trying to spend time really connecting with people that I care about.

Are you giving up anything for Lent this year?

26 comments:

Jess said...

I so admire you for that.

I actually thought about giving up Facebook for Lent, for the same reason. Then, I realized that I wouldn't be able to REALLY give it up, because part of my job is to manage our station Facebook pages. So until I can find a way around that..........

I get separating the two - FB vs Blogger. A lot of my coworkers and family members are on my FB page, whereas very few of my "real life" people know that I even have a blog.

Crazy Shenanigans-JMO said...

Wow! That's a big thing to give up! Go you!
I gave up eating chocolate and so far so good!

Unknown said...

I gave up FB for the exact same reasons. I wanted to fill my time with better things over the next 40 days to ensure I wasn't putting FB and other people's lives before my spiritual growth. It is hard, I was home sick yesterday and all I wanted to do was troll people'e pictures...:)

Meant to be a mom said...

Good for you! I think its great that your taking this time to focus on doing something special for God. I gave up Drinking pop and I also gave up being so easily angered, holding grudges and being so sensitive. I like to try every year to work on something about myself that isn't very desirable. It always makes me feel better and makes me a better person in the end.

Meagan said...

Good one!!! I rarely use facebook for the same reasons.

Jamie Pickle said...

I have heard several people say they gave up Facebook for Lent. I wouldn't know what to do with myself, I have the app on my phone and am ALWAYS checking it.

Wishing you the best of luck. You can do it.

Heather (Live.Love.Laugh.) said...

Good luck you crazy girl LOL. I would have such a hard time!!~

Mrs EyeCanSee said...

I was a bad Catholic this year...I didn't give up anything for lent. I kind of feel like I've already given up so much with this little growing baby I couldn't part with one more thing! Pretty sad huh?

Good luck with FB...I've never really gotten into any of the social networks, I have enough things that suck up my time!

PS I finally emailed you back about Baby Cove. Sorry it took so long, hopefully we can get things rolling soon!

Kimberly said...

I gave up candy! wish is hard cause I have a bowl of jelly beans sitting right in front of me!

Kat said...

Wow! You have to keep us updated on how you're doing with this. It would be so tough for me! I gave up Perez Hilton because that was a little easier and a total waste of my time...

Katie said...

good luck! I would NOT be able to do that!

Le said...

I gave it up a couple of months ago and have experienced such freedom. Isn't it crazy that something that doesn't have to control us does. I am proud of you.

Nina Sapphira said...

just stumbled onto your blog. =) I gave up the internet after 5pm, which includes, email, twitter, browsing, facebook etc. I think its great. good luck.

Anonymous said...

Hi there! I stumbled on your blog a week ago, and I just like reading your posts. I hope you don't mind me folloiwng you. :o)

I really admire you for giving up something that's so easy to get hooked, too. I found myself feeling the same way you did--just using FB to patrol the waters and see how I could be/act just as cool as everyone else. That's really cool you were able to get away--it kinda gives me some "oomph" to do the same. :)

Anyway, great post and great blog.

-Jen

Nicole said...

Good for you!! I hope it's going well. I totally hear you about FB. It's a MAJOR time waster. I also struggle with the status update issue-trying to make yourself appear a certain way and maybe reading a little too much into some things that are written. FB is a really cool thing, but these "side effects" kinda suck.

In This Wonderful Life said...

I love facebook but I became a slacker when I started blogging. i don't think I'm good at multi-tasking!

Amber said...

Wow - that's something drastic to give up! I am giving up sweet/candies. So far so good, but my 25th birthday is two weeks away - I'm not sure how well I will hold up!!! Good luck!

GUAMtastic said...

You are stronger than am I. I thought about facebook, but our social lives out here in the middle of the Pacific are greatly dependent on the good ole FB. So I gave up carbs instead. AH!! Good luck!!

Krystie said...

GREAT lent vow. As you know, I gave up cussing. It's one of the hardest things to date that I have given up.

Good Luck staying away from FB. And hopefully this time away will help you to become more conscious of your time on there when you go back.

Lindsey said...

Good for you! I am addicted too so I should give it up!

Lo said...

Good thing you got google buzz to replace it! jk. love :)

Naturally Caffeinated Family said...

I am the same way with blogs! I have a Facebook page too but I keep them separate as well, but I don't check it as much as I want to haha! I have only put a few pics up there but don't really do much of anything but I love to see what friends have been up to, there are soo many who don't live close anymore, so I love hearing about and seeing them. And blogs... sometimes I need to take a step back and not let myself get sucked into thinking about how beautiful everyone else is or that I might need some of the things they have. Hope you're having a great week lady!!

Krystie said...

BTW. You've been tagged :) Can't wait to see what you come up with!

The Southbay Newlyweds said...

you go girl! not sure i could do that! im so far from friends and family..i use to to stay in touch way too much! i hope one of these days..i will be closer to everyone..and won't be on so much!

Tillie said...

wow - you have up facebook??? Eek. No way I could do that!!! Good luck and I think it's a wonderful thing to give up for Lent.

Fabiola said...

I love your idea of giving up FB and Farmville (I got addicted when I was in the the hospital in the begin of the year). I decided to give up: pizza, soda and sweets for this Lent. I am really excited about this fast, since those three things are really hard for me to give up ; )

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