I tried an experiment Sunday afternoon and deactivated my Facebook account. My reasons were multiple, chief among them the massive amount of time I spent there. Endlessly refreshing my timeline, following interactions between people that I wasn’t even involved with, letting things I saw and read dictate my mood, waking up in the middle of the night and feeling like I had to check in. It was consuming too much of my time, too much of me. I knew it wouldn’t be permanent. My goal was a week.

The first 2 days were no big deal at all. I was determined not to crack. It almost seemed easy. I didn’t even really feel the urge to login once.

Days 3 and 4 were a totally different story. A constant nagging in my brain that wouldn’t go away. “I wonder what so and so is up to?”. “How many funny pics have I missed?”. “What has she (who shall remain nameless) done to make me a jealous wreck?”. It was borderline miserable. It also made me realize just how deep my Facebook addiction had gotten. I fought the temptation though and stayed strong.

Now going into day 5 it feels like I’ve won. The overwhelming urges are gone. The rough part is behind me. I know that once I reactivate my account I can go back to using it like a normal person. I know I have the ability to just walk away again if it gets too much. I’ve proven it to myself.