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Unless you've been living under a rock these past ten years, then you will definitely know what Facebook is - it's the most well known social media site in the world! Well, I had been living under a rock until four months ago, when I finally joined the world of Facebook. It was magical - it was beautiful! With likes and feeds and tags everywhere, it was hard to resist. Hard to resist doing anything but scroll aimlessly through my feed. Making myself look vain was also a popular past-time. So was chatting with the people I would see the next day. It was bliss . . .
No, it wasn't. At first, I didn't use Facebook for too long. I'd just use it for an hour maximum before leaving. But that hour quickly grew into two, then four, then eight . . . until most of my life was spent on Facebook. To be honest, I had no life at all. Slowly, gradually, I became addicted. I'd impulsively check up on my profile - what was new? Nothing, usually. But then I'd post something and I'd sit for hours waiting for some sort of response.
My addiction with social media stopped me from being as productive as usual. My homework was lack-lustre and I neglected my foreign language studies. I did not play with my friends as often as I used to. I simply sat at my computer all day. I never did anything bad or untoward on social media - I didn't take vulgar pictures or send provocative messages. I would just sit there. All day. And some of the night, too. Facebook stopped me from fully pursuing my passion: music. The four hours I spent on Facebook could have been used practicing my instruments or writing songs.
One day, I realized that I couldn't go on living like this. It could hardly be called a life. I was losing friends and my self-esteem was starting to waver. I saw so many pictures of my friends and I felt left out. My selfies would never turn out looking as pretty as my friends'. I decided to go ahead and click that button 'Deactivate my account'. Once I did it, I felt - this is going to sound super cheesy - free. I didn't have to worry about who'd posted on my status. I could go about my life - my real life. I had time to do things which I never had time for before. I could look for a job. I could carry on learning French and Spanish. I've also written songs.
You see, it only took one click, but it changed my life. Yes, some would argue that you could just keep and account and not use it. I wouldn't trust myself. I get hooked far too easily. It felt good not to rely on something. With just one click, I severed my ties with Facebook. The thing with deactivation is that it's not permanent. If need be, you can return. Some people really like that feeling of security. I don't like it - I still can't trust that I'll keep away from the site forever. But y'know. I'll sure try! Could you ever give up Facebook? If you don't already have it, don't get it. It's overrated and could never replace a real life. Fill your life with things that matter - you shouldn't need social media to feel good about yourself.
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