Why I Kissed Facebook Good-Bye

Update:  I opened a new Facebook account for marketing myself and this website in December 2015.  In March  2016, I decided to delete Facebook again, but before deleting Facebook completely, I checked Google Analytics.  It turns out that Facebook is the top referring social site for traffic to my website, followed by Twitter and then YouTube.  Guess, I’ll stick with it. (March 2016)

A few months ago I shared with you that I deactivated my Facebook account and I promised that I would tell you why I left Facebook.  The deactivation eventually became a deletion.

I have deleted Facebook accounts in the past, but this time, was different. It was different because I knew I did the right thing and that I would not look back.  Today, I share why I kissed Facebook good-bye.

Side note:  I was reluctant to publish this post, but I finally clicked the publish button.

Facebook Served No Purpose (Website/Business)

I created content, paid for followers to see my posts (not much, because I am cheap), designed my cover, and scheduled automated posts via Buffer at the best times based on my Facebook stats.

Why invest time in something that does not give me anything in return? Oh, it gives me something in return, lost time that I never get back. I checked my analytics/stats before pulling the plug on Facebook, they said, “Girl, bye!”

The traffic coming from Facebook was the saddest thing ever. Engagement and interaction were often low to non-existent. The same people would always like and sometimes comment on status updates.

I also had two people join my mailing list via my Facebook Page (cool). I appreciate those who supported, engaged and interacted with me on Facebook.

The social media gurus say, “Facebook is good for website/business promotion.” I think Facebook is a good thing, but for some websites/businesses it is not the best social  media network. Some of us need to take the promotion to the physical streets.

I have made more connections by simply talking to people when I am out running errands and by word of mouth. The old school way of promoting yourself is still alive and well.

Facebook for Personal Use

Let’s switch to the personal side of Facebook because the personal side affected the mind, body and spirit.  I cannot tell you how many times I clicked the Facebook app on my phone.

I eventually deleted the Facebook app off my phone, only to re-install it.  I also logged on to Facebook from my personal computer. I finally realized that I had to let go of Facebook, especially if I wanted to have a healthy mind, body and spirit.

Why I finally said good-bye to Facebook

• It was distracting –  Scrolling down the news feed got me caught up in everything and everybody. What started out as a quick Facebook check, would end up lasting for 30-minutes to an hour. I was easily distracted, which led wasted time.
• I became a nosy person –  I am not a nosy person, I actually do not care about what other people do. But for some reason, I became nosy and I felt like I had to know everything. It eventually became too much for me and I do not need to know everything.  Some things are best left unsaid.
• It took me on an emotional roller coaster ride – The emotional roller coaster ride  with children, religion, politics and racial issues. I felt bad after reading about the accomplishments of children, who function normally. I was comparing my child to those children, which is something I should never do, but it I did it.  Arguing and debating about religion, politics and racial issues took me for a ride too. “Ain’t nobody got time for that!”
• People I know personally rarely communicated with me.  I do not understand this, especially since they befriended me first. People I know personally rarely communicated with me, but people I did not know personally communicated with me and supported me the most.

Final Words

Sometimes you have to let go of what no longer serves you. Facebook did more harm to me than good. It bothered my mind and spirit, which sometimes brought a certain level of stress.

It took courage for me to let go of Facebook, because it is a popular social media site.  How would I ever stay connected and in the know?  What I have learned from this experience is that those who want to stay connected with me will stay connected, regardless if I am on Facebook or not.

I realize that there are people who enjoy using Facebook and it benefits them immensely.  If Facebook works for you, then keep using it.

But as for me, I kiss Facebook good-bye and I am not looking back.

Until next time…