Well, here I go...

After thinking about this for a few days... months... well to be honest, over one year, I am taking a break from facebook. At least that's what my latest status update claims - I figured I'd give people a small warning and perhaps it was one last attempt at connection with the world outside of my visual sphere. The process of actually pressing the "good-bye" button feels really difficult. After posting that I was leaving, within seconds, I've had responses which just draw me back in. I will miss that instant feedback that somehow is a validation that I exist and people are listening.

The reason I am doing this is that I have recently finished one leg of a journey of study which is heading towards a PhD in Psychology and a postgraduate diploma in Clinical Psychology. I spent a great deal of my study time procrastinating on Facebook. A GREAT DEAL OF TIME. That didn't bother me so much because I justified it since I did actually get work done. However, now that I have finished my studies for the summer, and have a lot more spare time... I notice the space... which I fill with Facebook. Endless wandering through posts, videos, photos... looking for something... looking for connection, and often feeling far sadder and less fulfilled then when I began. Yet I can't seem to stop...

Hi, my name is Melissa and I am a Facebook addict.

So I decided this had to change. I want to see what life is like for me without Facebook and where I am not relying on cyberspace to fill my hours and to be my virtual friend, partner and life experience. I am taking the leap.

I know I will unfortunately not be as aware of what is going on in everyone's life... but I think it's time I do this. To know that I can.

I will plot my journey on this blog...
Kind of like a long winded status update...