2011: A Year to be off Facebook and be Less Like Denmark
Watching one full season of The Bachelor and baking chocolate chip cookies at least once. These were my made-up resolutions when asked on New Year’s Eve what I would aspire to in the year 2011. Being the one with the video phone, I forced everyone at the party to answer this question truthfully but when the lens turned, I gave a joke answer. Watching The Bachelor and baking chocolate chip cookies are not rare occurances in my life. These are things I know I will do and therefore can not disappoint myself. Hence why I don’t make resolutions: so as not to fall short.
Kinda like the country of Denmark. They have been deemed the happiest country in the world because the individuals who live there don’t–in general–set the bar very high for themselves, resulting in less chance for failure and more chance for happiness.
I’m aware this is no way to live. But sometimes I do anyways. However, after watching the footage of my announcement that watching The Bachelor and baking chocolate chips cookies would be my big accomplishments of 2011, I decided that was pathetic.
I also realized my success rate at giving things up rather than taking things on is high (recall when I gave up caffein), so I’ve decided to raise the bar a little above TV and baking. In 2011 I’m going to give up one significant time suck in my life: Facebook*. I’m hoping this will do a few things for my year:
-free up time to do things like read the books that have been staring at me from my bookshelf for months
-keep me less informed about people I don’t even know
-force me to communicate with friends via more direct and intentional modes of communication like email and phone calls
That last one’s a biggie and the main reason I’m cutting myself off.
So here’s to a year of less virtual gossip and more actual communicating. 2011 will be good.
*deactivation to go into effect around 10:00 pm on Jan. 3.
I went off Facebook in 2009-2010 for about 8 months. I reactivated when I applied for my job here so I didn’t seem like I wasn’t social-media savvy. 😉 All that to say, I’ve thought about unplugging again many times. It’s ridiculous how much I know about people I haven’t spoken to in years…and how much I use Facebook in place of actual phone calls or emails. :/ Good resolution. 🙂
are you really canceling you account altogether or keeping it up but not going on?
i loathe facebook, it’s no secret. but my family refuses to let me get off the site due to “reunion planning” and how inconvenient it will be if I am the one member not on the mass note. so stupid.
Sorry for my delayed reply! I deactivated my account. I’m kinda all or nothing like that.
I think this is such a great idea and a good thing, especially if you feel like it’s keeping you from accomplishing other things. I am eager to see what your experience is. I’m assuming you’ll be blogging about it every now and then 🙂 I will also be looking for my phone to ring a little more… 🙂
I applaud your decision – hope it turns out to be great for you! I’ve thought about a Facebook detox many times, but have never actually done it. (I’m generally terrible at giving things up altogether – moderation is more my speed.)
However, I think you should continue to bake chocolate chip cookies. That’s a resolution that’s sure to bring delight. 🙂
With all of my free time, I’m sure to bake more! Well, not really, but who knows what could happen in 2011?
Good for you! Sounds like a great plan! 🙂 I gave up buying books last year. Not reading. Just buying them. The library and I became close personal friends. Good luck on the detox. 🙂
That’s great! I know I’ve cut back my FB usage a lot and don’t feel any less disconnected and actually have seen improvements in my relationships with my close circle of friends. Hope your detox goes well!
I’m impressed. I have thought about it but I’m not too good at the phone calls, haha. Maybe this would force me to get better at it. I’m excited to hear how it’s goes! Much better resolution than the Bachelor but let’s not let go of the choc. chip cookies one too quickly 🙂
I think it is a wonderful idea. Through the years, I have had to force myself to give up, commit, hunker down, and the likes. I’m about to make some “deals” with myself in regards to finishing some books. I received 5 books for Christmas that I must read to better myself and be more learned. 😉 I will be holding myself accountable to the reads…it must be done.
Good luck with it all!
Way to go sweetie. Not many would be so brave. Happy New Year. I love you
Hi Andrea,
I stumbled upon your blog a week or so ago and I don’t like to be a lurker, so I have to comment! I wish you good things this year, as you immerse yourself real community instead of virtual community … I don’t suppose there’s any good substitute for the real thing anyway! And, I wish you happy reading … cleaning out the unread titles on my bookshelves is one of my perpetual resolutions and I’m always, always glad when I finally settle in with the books that have been calling to me. You should probably add a trip to Denmark to your year’s plans though … even if they allegedly set the bar low on expectations, it’s kind of a spectacular country!
kerry
Hi Kerry! So glad you found the blog and made yourself known 🙂 Have you been to Denmark? I really would LOVE to go sometime. Hope to see you around here!
Yes! My grandfather was Danish; I was there twice when I was little and then when I was 21, as well. My grandfather was 23 when he left Denmark for Canada, on his own, and when I was 21, I sat in the Copenhagen train station — which is old, old and so beautiful — imagined him as a young man, not much older than me, about to step out into a world he couldn’t imagine, one where he couldn’t speak the language … it was cool. Copenhagen has beautiful parks and museums and so many bicycles; the smaller communities are green and friendly. And the Little Mermaid is just about the loneliest statue I’ve ever seen. Denmark is worth the trip and I hope you get to go someday!
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I just found your blog while wandering around the Internet and think this is a fabulous idea. I’m going on four months of no Facebook and it’s been amazing. I got rid of it because I wanted to challenge myself to be more intentional about keeping in touch with friends from high school. I also didn’t want to know everything about everyone! I hope this year off Facebook is one of greater growth and purposefulness for you. :]
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