Note: This piece is intended to provoke thought–not set down universal rules.
Once upon a time I made daily visits–or multiple daily visits–to Facebook. With over 1,000 friends there was always something interesting to read or photos to view. I used it to fill my odd moments during work. It was fun. I felt connected to my friends; I felt loved when I would get comments on my status messages or photo albums. I was your typical Facebook user.
Then I began feeling tuggings on my conscience about my use of time. Nurturing Intimacy in a Facebook Generation was published a few years ago. I kept seeking a balance between writing off social networking and thinking about it every single day.
In August of this year my health took a turn for the worse and I spent ten days without a computer. I found solace from the stress of illness in journaling by hand, a therapeutic art I’d slipped away from over the last six months. It was a refreshing change from blogging, or even typing journal entries. By chance, I also rediscovered a pasttime that had lain dormant for years: sketching. As the days passed online activities crossed my mind and I realized–with pleasure–that I didn’t miss email. I didn’t miss blogging. And I certainly did not miss Facebook.
When I got back online I stopped by Facebook. Something felt “off” to me…artificial…draining. My mind, uncluttered by over a week of rest, focus on highest priorities, and a newly simplified life, blanched at the barrage of trivial details. I was on information overload and it was neither fun nor profitable.
One truth I’ve been meditating on lately, and–one tenuous step at a time–learning to apply. is the effect our activities have on our bodies and minds. I’m also on a search for simplicity (which will be blogged about more in the future). One concept of a simple life is minimizing, when possible, the activities that drain us. For those that cannot be avoided the second part of simplicity steps in: taking time to purposefully refresh and renew yourself.
For me, Facebook and email is a drain. Journaling by hand, sketching, and other artistic pursuits, is renewing. That’s just me. So in my downtime instead of being online I am delving deeper into the discipline of simplicity through reading, writing, art, and enjoying nature.
I take daily walks with my dog. I’m creating beautiful journals as I seek God and allow Him to work on my heart. I’m developing my art in hopes of using it in ministry someday. And yes, I am still writing. Once Quest Expanded Edition is released I’ll begin work in earnest on a new book. The pages are being written on my heart and in my journals right now.
Do I still have a Facebook? Yes. My brothers post their pictures there; a few other people use it as the primary way to stay in touch with me. In fact, I use Networked Blogs so that HeartThoughts is published on Facebook whenever I write a post. Ironically, this post will appear on the very site I am striving to avoid.
But now I’ve drawn boundaries to protect my time, my desire for simplicity, and my authentic relationships. Facebook gets fifteen minutes a week on Fridays. If it cannot be done in that time slot then it will not be done. As for blogging on HeartThoughts, my new goal is one post per week, or five per month. The posts, like this one, will be more lengthy and–hopefully–worthy of the time to read them. The occasional exception will be book reviews or some significant family event. I welcome your feedback as I make this transition.
What are some boundaries you’ve set in your life to protect your spiritual walk, your mental energy, your physical strength?
) will hopefully be releasing on Valentines Day, 2010, exactly five years after the first edition. I’m finally having time to work on it again and am going to try my best! I’ve also got a good start on the next book, which I’e been working on for years.
It shows that you are on facebook too much when you look for the “like” button for the article! (: