On one of my daddy-daughter dinner dates not too long ago, I noticed two guys across from my table who were both looking down at their phones. I laughed and shook my head at the two connected friends. I motioned with my head to tell my dad to look, and I whispered, "Come on guys, bros before PHONES!" Hahaha! (Yes, I did laugh at my own joke.)
In a world where there are various online avenues to connect with people via smartphone, tablet or lap top, I've noticed that boredom is an all time high, attention spans are shorter than ever, and people aren't really connected to each other anymore. Kids today are handed a tablet to keep them "occupied" during certain "boring" or "adult" events, but what it really is doing is disconnecting our kids from us and other people.
I was a kid for nine years in the 90s. Technology was a lot different then, but even I've noticed the effects that technology has on me, more specifically, the Facebook app.
I've realized that the Facebook app has become a false community, and if I didn't do something about it soon then I would truly be disconnected from people.
So last semester I deleted the Facebook app from my phone. At first, it was just so I could focus on my schoolwork because I had so many papers to write. However, I noticed that my focus on school was not the only thing that improved. Without the easy-accessibility to Facebook on my phone, I became less focused on missing out on the people in my newsfeed and comparing my life with their lives, and I was more intentional on the people right in front of me.
So this is my challenge to everybody to LOOK UP from your phone and delete the Facebook app. You don't have to delete your Facebook account, just limit your access. Limit your access on your Facebook so you can have more access to the life right in front of you.
Here are 10 things that will happen if you delete the Facebook app from your phone:
1) You'll be more productive.
Have you ever scrolled through your newsfeed for what you think is three minutes and when you look at the time, 15 has gone by? What could I have done in those 15 minutes? A lot more productive and beneficial activities than watching that video or reading a post about the weather in my newsfeed!
2) You'll be less distracted.
This kind of goes along with #1. When I studied or worked on a paper I had to write I didn't take a 10 minute Facebook break every 5 minutes. Or if I was bored while waiting for something then I would pass the time either reading a book or talking to someone with me, or maybe even a stranger!
3) You'll be more focused on the people you see everyday face-to-face.
Can you say FOMO? (Fear Of Missing Out). This is a real problem that needs to stop NOW. FOMO means the lack of contentment with where you are and who you're with, because you desire to be somewhere else. I know this because I struggle with FOMO. I am always thinking about missing out and I just wish that I could be everywhere at once, but I can't so why even try and enjoy the present moment while it's here. If comparison is the thief of joy then FOMO is the thief of being present.
4) You'll save your phone battery's life.
Since you won't be constantly on your phone and draining your battery while scrolling through your newsfeed, you'll have enough battery when you really need it or to call family or long-distance friend you've been keeping up with later.
5) Your phone will have more storage.
The Facebook app takes up a huge amount of your phones storage! So if you want to keep your photos with your loved ones then I would suggest to delete the Facebook app. And you can keep the Messenger app so your Facebook friends can still contact you if they need to.
6) You'll have more time to do things you've always wanted to do
Like write a novel or finish that DIY project you've had saved on your pinterest board for months.
7) You'll be more focused in school
Because you won't be constantly checking your newsfeed every five minutes when you're studying.
8) You'll become more aware of your surroundings.
Parents, your kids notice if you're constantly on your phone. Enjoy that time with them. College students, stop scrolling through your newsfeed in class. You're not paying thousands of dollars a semester to study your newsfeed in class. Look up!
9) You'll meet some interesting and great people while standing in line at the store or waiting at the Doctor's office.
10) You'll be cured from your FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out) illness because you'll be too busy enjoying the present!
Deleting the Facebook app is the first step to living a more connected life. If you absolutely cannot delete the Facebook app, then try leaving your phone in your pocket or purse when you're bored or if you're waiting somewhere. If you're in a public place, then put down the phone. Don't let technology take you away from the experiences you could have had if you weren't on your phone. Life happens to you while you're still scrolling through your newsfeed reading about other people living their lives instead of you living your own. So look up. Treasure every moment you have with everyone you see. You never know how long you have with a person, so don't waste that time with them by being with your phone.
"But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart." -Luke 2:19
"For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." -Matthew 6:21
