A Small Break.

I'm taking a break from Facebook.  I feel like I'm losing all sense of humanity, and I'm feeling incredibly "stabby" lately.  I'm weary to the bone with status updates about perfect babies, things people's babies have done that are not as funny as their parents believe, unrealistic accomplishments and the bragging.  I'm tired of the requests for help and advice, only to get defensive replies when advice is offered that the person may not want to hear.  I am not willing to let myself think that these attitudes are OK. When I find out through Facebook about activities that my family and friends have done, when I may happen to not be a part of it.. I end up unjustifiably feeling left out.

....It's OK for things to happen without me being there...

I have been feeling this way for a while now. It started when I read a status update of a local lady carrying on about not getting to enjoy a sno-cone because a "stupid" State Trooper pulled her over.  Would she still have posted that if she knew that she was Facebook friends with that sweet Trooper's wife? The good of social networking far outweighs the bad (for every snipe or rant there are five sweet family photos that make me smile), but I seem to remember the bad too often.

I'm also finally tired of feeling like my life is part of a contest for display.  I’m finding that what Facebook is really great for, is BRAGGING, and that’s been a really difficult thing for me to deal with. I’m not a jealous person, but I find that seeing people posting about their new cars, stay at home mom crafts and get togethers, vacations, babies, and ginormous houses causes me to start comparing my life to others. And I’m guilty of it too- it’s hard not to post exciting news about your latest accomplishments or how awesome your kid is. Maybe I’m just being sensitive, and I should be able to applaud someone rather than covet what they have, but regardless, I just need a time-out from this hamster wheel.  I have a very sweet family, a new home, and all of our critical belongings are in perfect working order.

So, I think there's a lot of value in taking an occasional break from too much connectedness. Facebook is undoubtedly a time-suck, and I've been feeling a bit overwhelmed by it the past couple of weeks, like I'm too involved in people's lives and not present enough in my own. I just need to get away from it for a few days and refocus on the important people around me, rather than the poop/pee/sleep schedule of an acquaintance that lives 4 hours away and has either two or three children, whose names I could not tell you if I spent a year thinking about it.

Now, by no means do I think I am so important that I need to announce my departure for a social networking vacation- but I just needed to get out how I'm feeling.

I have an email address if you need me :)  Oh, and Granny Skeet- I will still post pictures of EK here for you.   :D