I think that I cannot preserve my health and spirits, unless I spend four hours a day at least – and it is commonly more than that – sauntering through the woods and over the hills and fields, absolutely free from all worldly engagements.” ~Henry David Thoreau
To my Facebook friends: I’ve temporarily deactivated my Facebook account this week.
As many of you know, my mother fell and fractured her hip recently. She’s recovering in a nursing center, and I’m often called on to advocate for her. Meanwhile, I’ve received many thoughtful (private) Facebook messages that I’ve neglected to answer — and I apologize for those oversights.
At stressful times like these, I tend to function best when I pull back, turn down the noise, do a reality check, and spend some quality “face time” with my posse.
This isn’t the first time I’ve deactivated my Facebook account. Last year I wrote an article about taking time off from Facebook, and was surprised by the hundreds of positive comments I received. That three-month break turned out to be one of the healthiest and most productive periods I’ve experienced in recent years — which is why I recommend short “retreats” from social media to everyone, from time to time.
But back to the present. When time allows, I’ll post a few essays here on the topic of dealing with elderly parents who suffer from dementia, knowing that many of you can relate to this ongoing midlife challenge. Thanks for your understanding — and I look forward to catching up soon. — Cindy La Ferle
Cindy, I wanted to send you an email after I got one from you about your break from FB, but I didn’t want you to think you needed to respond to my response. First, I wanted to thank you for thinking of your friends when you have so much going on. Second, I wanted you to know that you and your mom continue to be in my thoughts and prayers. Take care of yourself and be well ~
May God bless you, and keep you. May His face shine upon you and give you peace
I’m tempted to take a Facebook break myself. I use it mostly to feel connected to folks back in the US and to ‘announce’ when I have a new post on my blog. I wonder if I could break without deactivating totally … like a severe fast.
I hope things are better soon for you with regard to your mom. I know aspects of her health won’t improve, but I hope the areas that can improve, do. Big hugs!
Thanks so much for these sweet comments, friends!
Elizabeth, yes, you can also try avoiding Facebook without deactivating, too. I have tried that — and it helps. However, when my account remains active, I still receive private message alerts in my email, and, feel compelled to respond to those.
So sorry that life has been so stressful for you Cindy! And for your poor mom- how hard it is to see loved ones suffer…. Take a break, we will still be her when you fell rested.
Thank you, Starrlife!
Smart woman.
Hi, Cindy. Congratulations on putting your mother’s health above all else, and thanks for posting about your FB vacation. After noticing few of my business page followers even saw my posts, I decided to limit my posts there to once a week, on weekends. I posted on my own page that I will not be using FB much anymore, and I have only occasionally been checking feeds of good friends and pages I love. Since I get news about many community events and questions from friends I rarely or never see (i.e., poet I met in Ireland), I am not closing my account. This decision has helped me gain more control over my time. I’m planning to apply it to Twitter, too. I’m yet sure how! I recommend Sherry Turkle’s insightful book on her research in this area, Alone Together. Happy FB-free sailing from Gold Boat Journeys: Live Write Travel Explore in Laguna Beach, California