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Last night, I wrote ant explanation of why I was closing my facebook account, yet again, then deactivated the account. Of course, the light bulb over my head finally went off later: by deactivating my account, nobody would be able to read WHY I had deactivated my account in the first place, so the text of my last facebook posting is below:
As some of you may know, using the computer right now causes a cascade of pain. I had signed off one of my facebook accounts earlier due to information overload: I wanted to click every link, read every article or blog, comment when appropriate. But it was too much. I also signed out of my other (current) facebook account earlier for the same reason – just too much information which accessing caused too much pain.
I had unjoined Graceful Agony (an online community for folks with chronic pain) at the same time, not because I didn’t find the community helpful, supportive, or wise, but because of the pain issue – again, I wanted to read everything, comment on everything – in other words, participate fully. But, I thought the Secret Santa idea the group was going to have was such a wonderful idea, I rejoined. (And to be a part of the group, of course, you needed to be part of facebook, so I reactivated my account). I wanted to participate in the exchange, to see if the person who got my secret santa box liked what I had sent, to hear about what other folks received, etc. The group, of course, continued as a source of support, information, and inspiration.
Hubby saved all his pennies and bought me Dragon Naturally Speaking for Christmas. With this program, I hope to be able to continue to blog, write my novel, poetry, and emails without the pain I currently face when I try to do so. However, it may take some time until I get the hang of doing facebook – if Dragon does work with it — and I know that if I’m connected, I will always be tempted to check on how folks are doing, what the latest article is, who has posted a new blog. So, for the time being, at least, I will be shutting down my facebook account, and thus not able to access Graceful Agony and other online communities. I will miss the lively “discussions” through the comment threads, the support, care, and compassion group members have shown myself and others, and the access to new and important information.
I do promise to email someone in the group should my Secret Santa box arrive so to thank the person who sent it. I’m sure it’s in the corner of some post office somewhere and will be discovered soon and sent on its way. I will be getting a 2012 present – a wonderful way to start the new year.
So, until I can figure out how to use Dragon Naturally Speaking with facebook, I will be saying farewell, but not necessarily a permenant good bye to facebook (and certainly NOT goodbye to blogging, visiting others’ blogs, and leaving comments there, just to facebook and facebooking). Please believe me that I wish everyone in Graceful Agony, other online communities, and others on facebook nothing but the best for 2012. I hope it is a special year, full of serendipity, whimsy, healing, and love.
Thank you to everyone for everything.
End of quote/posting. So, in case you were wondering where I’ve gone, facebook-wise, it’s off to learn how to use the new program – starting with blog posting and emailing. Maybe, I’ll eventually get proficient enough to rejoin facebook and groups like Graceful Agoney. I’ll still try and maintain my blogging and blog commenting presence! And, once again, all the best in 2012!
I also have wondered away from Facebook although I have not closed down my account. But I can soooo relate to the woes of the pain in f/b…lol. I sometimes have wondered how many of the f/b people keep it up. Really, I do. My hands are now a tad bit better for the wondering off and I hope Dragon Speak works wonders for you. Do let us know how it goes with Dragon speak. I have read good things about it from other communities but have not purchased it (yet) for myself. Good luck with training your dragon
There is a wonderful animated film called “How to Train Your Dragon,” I will keep your comments and that movie in mind as I start to play with my new toy. I can’t wait to try actually constructing a blog with it. I’ll certainly let folks know how it goes!
Because of info overload I rarely rarely rarely take a look at Facebook, so I know whereof you “read”.
Let us know how Dragon is for you. I hear it’s great once you get the “dragon by the tail”
I’ll most definitely let you know if I can get my “dragon by the tail.” I’m also keeping the movie “How to Train Your Dragon” in mind, too. Can’t wait until my first blog post done with Dragon!