Emily Howard, Writer

In news that might shock some people and mean absolutely nothing to others: I have decided to delete my facebook account.

It really is a big change, and one I am both happy and a little nervous about, so I wanted to share my reasoning behind the decision.

Why I am turning off Facebook?

Quitting Facebook is something I have debated doing for a long time, for several reasons. The main reason being that it wastes too much time. There may be some people who can look at it once a day and turn it back off again, but I am not one of those people. It becomes an addiction and I scroll, scroll, scroll for hours. I want to use those hours to do more productive things. I want to write, play music, read, exercise, and spend quality time with my husband and children.

Another reason is not only the recent discovery that our information has been stolen and used—let’s be honest, we have known that was going on for a long time—but also the realization of just how much our thinking is affected by Facebook. Scrolling through content I handpick is one thing, but scrolling through content that has been handpicked to influence my mind…that is scary. And every day I see articles, photos, and memes that are completely false that have been casually shared by friends and family as truth with no thought or research whatsoever. “Fake News,” indeed. Truth and free thinking is taking a beating on Facebook. I need to step away.

The last reason I am turning off Facebook is that I want to work on cultivating real relationships. Facebook has been great to reconnect with friends and family, but over the years it has dawned on me that my online relationships have begun to tarnish my real-life relationships. I yearn for a life that is simpler and more genuine. And this means face-to-face interactions—and no more Facebook.

HOW I am turning off Facebook?

So, that’s all well and good, but how am I going to keep up with everyone? Well, hopefully, the “old-fashioned” way…namely, phone calls, text, email, and even snail mail. I am looking forward to writing cards and letters! So, if you would like to keep in touch, please message me your contact info (phone, email, and/or home address)...I will put it in my address book (Mom and Nancy, don’t worry, you will still get photos! Maybe even printed ones!). I have felt a real need lately to return to a more authentic and old-fashioned way of doing things. Will I feel like I am missing out? Maybe, for a while. But I am looking forward to breaking free of this and concentrating on what is most important.

I will continue to write this blog and send it to an email list. If you would like to receive it, please email me at emily_howard821@hotmail.com. Yes, I still have a hotmail address. Yes, it still exists.