Fresh brewed morning coffee enjoyed in front of the picture window — real life going on inside and outside. Next, a walk with the dogs, inhaling fresh crisp air, getting my body limbered up for the day. Returning to the house, after an hour of daydreaming while walking, has a great way of shaking off the procrastination bug. Revved up and ready to get some productive work done. Later a break outside simply to enjoy what Mother Nature has laid out and each day there are subtle changes. Listening to some intelligent radio on CBC while getting more work accomplished. Interesting conversation with a neighbour and again later with a new friend. Bopping and humming to some stimulating music — Il Volo — while preparing a small scratch meal for dinner. A glass of wine. A short stroll around the block. The sky absolutely overflowing with stars and stardust. Looking back on the day it was filled with a lot of positive thoughts, a healthy feeling of accomplishment, and a sense of appreciation for — well, for just about everything, except Facebook.
I joined Facebook around a year ago at the urging of a pair of friends. After sharing my futile search for a couple of friends from school, both my friends suggested Facebook as nearly a sure thing in locating them. Convinced, I set up my account and sure enough — I found the friends I was looking for! But that was a year and a bit ago. I’m thrilled to have connected with past friends and even enjoyed reading about what others were up to. The trouble is, I found that Facebook tended to be a tad addicting in terms of time spent ‘checking in’. Checking in became far too frequent for my liking and I also began to engage the logical side of my beanie brain and realized there was really no benefit to Facebook. After all, why not communicate by email and/or phone with friends who don’t live nearby? Add to that, I was finding there was too much cattle activity on Facebook. What’s that you ask? That’s when people tend to follow everyone else’s lead and do exactly as everyone else is doing. If you’re on Facebook, you likely are already nodding your head at this. Recently it’s been those photos that also have some kind of quote or saying attached. Everyone is getting them and everyone is passing them on — heck I was guilty of passing the occasional one myself. I decided that since there was no benefit to being on Facebook and because it wasted my time, and because it interferes with living real life, I would shut down my account. Done. It feels so darn good to be living life without Facebook. Ah, the real world. Can’t beat it!
A gorgeous photo, Diane. As to your your comments about Facebook, I largely agree. Although I hardly ever sign in, I have kept my account just in case. ;–)
I’m on Facebook but only check in once a day for a few minutes just to see what a few friends and relatives are up to. I don’t think I could get addicted to it. I’ve never played a game on FB or posted those things on my wall that go around. Now…blogging and Flickr I do find more addictive…but also beneficial to see other people’s photos and read what they write.
I have a FB account. I post sometimes, but more than posting, I use it to keep up with what my kids are doing and stay in contact with friends I only see there.
As in other areas, I don’t allow just anyone access to my life and I’m careful of it being a non-productive time suck.
I’ve cut back considerably in my on-computer time as a whole. I have too many other areas in my life that need attention so even blogging has slipped back.
Wow, the sky in your photo is amazing! It looks almost like a watercolour painting – very cool!
I hear ya about Facebook. I mostly use it to keep up with stuff going on in the design world, although I have to admit that I’m a bit addicted to Gardens of Time!
This gorgeous shot of these clouds is so refreshing and peaceful. Excellent photo!
I’m still on Facebook but find myself not posting except for a rare picture. The chatter seems increasingly pointless…I don’t follow commercial sites ether. I found your “quitting” account very interesting and something for me to think about.
What a gorgeous sky. I still have a Facebook account. I don’t write much on it but I do find myself checking in! Since D died I find myself spending less and less time on the computer … odd in a way but that’s the way it is. Am hard pressed to get a blog entry up once a week now!
Just in from shoveling my drive way. Not too cold but the stars were out and sparkling bright. No street lights in my neck of the woods. Great.
Oh! Sing it, sister! I’ve deactivated my “Farcebook” too. It was suggested by a friend as a good way to stay in touch,,,I haven’t heard from her since!
And, as you say, there is such beauty in real life.Even my cats would rather play than blog! 😉