Less Facebook in 40 days blueprint

Photo by Thessa Sandoval

We Catholics are always encouraged to practice abstinence and penance during the Lenten season. That's why I always try my best to abstain from a bad habit every Lent and to learn from it too.

I remember, two years ago, I gave up shopping for Lent. Even though I don't consider myself a shopaholic (I've answered a survey which told me otherwise by the way), I admit that I am fond of it.

from my actual post-it note

During that time, I told myself that I'd only buy things that I really need (like groceries) and promised to forget about my "wants" for more than a month. Even though right after Lent, I bought myself a new pair of wedge shoes to reward myself (way to go, Thessa), I knew it was a success because aside from being able to do it, I've learned some lessons from my 40-day shopping hiatus, which I still keep in mind up to now.

So I took it upon myself to sacrifice something this year again. 

Goal: Lessen my FB usage by 50% in 40 days

Why only 50%?

When I was in Canada, I tried taking a break from FB by deactivating it, but I still found it as one of the most convenient means of connecting with family and friends overseas. Plus, I am a believer of the power of communication and social media, yada, yada -- so I just can't give it up completely.

Reasons for doing it:

Have you ever felt annoyed towards people who post: almost-by-the-minute and/or diary-like status updates, photos of all their new purchases, check-ins at Jollibee and Starbucks (or worse, their own residences), and whole itinerary of trips? I have!

Have you ever felt guilty for scrolling through the news feed without ever setting eyes on some people's posts like it's automatic that when you see their names, you'd skip it? I have!

Have you ever thought of leaving and going somewhere far and exotic, and not update your Facebook for years? I have! (I know it can be my adventurous spirit at its worse, but that's how frustrating FB can be sometimes.)

Not wanting to have any negative thought or feeling during Holy Week drove me to stick to this challenge.

Scope and Limitation: 

1. Do not post ANYTHING during the Holy Week.

2. Do not post unnecessary status updates during Lent.

3. Sharing of news and interesting blogs/ articles are okay, but try to limit it to 1-3 posts per day.

4. Messaging is okay.

5. Posting photos are okay, but only choose the nicest photos and put short captions.

6. Add people who are not my close friends, esp. those who post a lot of non-sense and negative things, and those who are truly just my acquaintances but still want to network with to my Acquaintance list

Note:  Once you've added the person to your acquaintance list, you'll see less of that person on your news feed, and you would also have the option to not share your updates with them. It's also advisable to add people who are not your friends but still want to network with into this list. For steps on how to add people to your acquaintance list, click on this link: Acquaintance List

What I did to forget Facebook during Holy Week:

1. Read more (not just books, but also blogs)

2. Wrote for hours

I recently started a virtual journal (so I can write/ type down my thoughts and feelings there instead of running to Facebook's aid). I also have this blog to put my stories on a better platform.

3. Reflected

4. Started using an app (I downloaded ages ago) to learn French ;)  

Le Lundi, Le Mardi, Le Mercredi, Le Jeudi, Le Vendredi, Le Samedi, Le Dimanche

I've learned the days of the week and months of the year in French! And also how to count one to ten in Français too! Exciting!

Learning:  

I'm the type of person who loves sharing stories. Although I try not to share too much negativity and don't show off the things my money can buy on FB, I can say that I was also guilty of posting tremendously in the past. There were times when I felt lonely and felt like only FB could help me interact with friends in the Philippines and make me feel less lonely. Being a borderline FB addict actually led me to better understand others who have worse cases of social media addiction. 

In the end, I realized that I still want to place more importance to "playing mysterious" and saving stories for future meetings with friends I haven't spoken with and seen for a long time. That's where my control is mainly coming from.

Taking a hiatus from posting on Facebook this Holy Week made me realize that one can be thankful and happy for the blessings he/she receives in life without being too pompous and having to post everything online all the time.

I am also thankful for some few friends, who have genuinely awesome and interesting lives, but don't have the need to make their lives look like it's 10x grander on FB. You'll always be my inspiration. You made my Lent sacrifice much easier.

This Lent, I learned why it's kinda difficult not to post superficial things online... It's because it always takes a lot to let go of our egos and to be not like everyone else.