My Name is Brie Engelken – and I’m a Facebook Addict
My Life Without Facebook
I’m Brie Engelken. I’m 23 years old and I’m a Facebook addict. Facebook began in February 2004 and by October I was an avid user. By May 2005 I was addicted – checking every hour I had access to a computer (this was before mobile web browsers took off!) just to see who was doing what, who broke up with who, and more importantly, who had scandalous pictures from last night’s big party.
Today, Facebook is a primary means of communication in my life, as well as the lives of my peers. I start my day at 5:00 a.m. every weekday morning and by 5:15 a.m. it’s fair to say I’ve checked the statuses I missed while sleeping. I log in when I get to work at 8:00 a.m. and keep a tab open all day, checking in regularly just to see what’s going on. I get home around 6:00 p.m. most nights and I’m logged back in by 6:30 p.m. with a window open until at least 11:00 p.m. that evening. It’s fair to say that I don’t miss much.
Starting at midnight on Wednesday, February 17th (tonight) I will be giving up Facebook as part of my sacrifice for Lent (I’m Roman Catholic). For 46 days I will journal my life without Facebook, and the challenges I encounter along the way. The only leniency I will have is the ability to go in and un-tag pictures, but I can’t waver from that page onto any other part of Facebook. Check back for weekly posts about my journey (aka Blast from the Past) leading up to a MAJOR gossip catch up at Midnight, April 3rd/4th.
Want to hold me accountable? Feel free to visit my Facebook profile and see my inactivity.
16 February 2010 | Laura Moore Said:
The first step to solving a problem is admitting you've got a problem. lmao Props to you for that! One question though- How will you know if there are pictures that you need to untag unless you log on?
17 February 2010 | Tyler Marion Said:
Good Luck Brie this is going to be hard
17 February 2010 | Donna Said:
God by with you, my friend — I couldn't do it!!
17 February 2010 | Briena Said:
When someone tags a picture of you an email notification is sent.
17 February 2010 | Brandon_Sheley Said:
Good luck Brie!
17 February 2010 | Laura Moore Said:
If something really really really needs to be changed, like if someone asks you to join something and you really want to, I'd be glad to get onto your account and do it for you
17 February 2010 | Darcee Said:
good luck honey! i think you shouldn't even check for pics and just go cold turkey
18 February 2010 | Carl Isaacson Said:
Shane sent me to your blog. Good luck on your commitment. It will be interesting to hear if you think your communication changes as you leave fb behind.