I don't have twitter or facebook?

[Amaan]

It was about a year ago when I gave up Facebook. Many people thought I could not do it. In fact, many thought it was just a phase I was going through (some still do). I never understood what was so crazy about the idea of giving up Facebook. I lived most of my life without it. Yet, giving it up irritated people. In fact, many are still irritated by this blog that I created shortly after deactivating my profile. Many people refuse to even look at this site as they know that they could never give up Facebook. The truth is that they are addicted to it, no matter what they say to the contrary.

I have always believed at looking and considering information that I do not agree with. In fact, I have found that, after looking at something I was against, my thoughts on that matter would sometimes change. Being open to differing opinions is something that allows one to grow. Of course, there are some differing opinions that I will never agree with. That does not mean I should ignore contrary information or challenge my views and beliefs. Even the most ardent supporter of Facebook may realize that the site is not everything is it cracked up to be if they considered some time away from it.

With that being said, I am immensely glad that I gave up Facebook a year ago. I have accomplished a great amount without Facebook. These things include progressing through graduate school, writing a book, creating a travel blog, gaining work and internship experience, writing a great deal of short stories, saving and investing money that I earned from my own projects, and visiting a few new areas of the world. I have focused my attention on school and my professional life instead of focusing my attention on Facebook. I found that instead of spending time worrying about what others thought of me, I was absorbed in my own goals and family. Instead of spending time on Facebook, I spent time with my wife and pets. I do not say this to brag. Instead, I say it to show that I accomplished much without Facebook -- and I know that anyone can do the same. A year ago I spent most of my time looking at Facebook and comparing myself with others. I wondered what others were doing. I wondered if something I said would somehow offend someone. And it often did. I lamented that people would often say things, sometimes horrible things, that were contrary to who they held themselves out to be. I cringed as political discourse turned ugly and individuals started attacking each other merely for their own beliefs. I had little time to focus on my own life when I was literally wrapped up in the biggest waste of time that has perhaps ever been created (with the exception of the television, but even the television can provide something of value and be quite educational).

So you're not the only one. Don' feel bad.