Well nope...

...staying off Facebook for a month is really not turning out to be the challenge that I thought it would be (other than 1st day, as noted in last post).  I admit that the dramatic increase in the demands on my time through work have assisted considerably and, without doubt, removing the App from my phone has been the best strategic move I've made, but overall it really has not been difficult.

I thought that I would be really tempted (& most likely succumbed) to sneaking on to see what everyone is up to, but since I've removed the constant notification that came from my phone, I just...get on with life.

For the record, I am going back onto Facebook come April.  I miss the random chats I have with my friends, I miss the interesting/funny articles/videos/pictures that people post AND boy-o-boy do I miss Facebook reminding me of when friends' birthdays are!!  I've already managed to miss a friend's birthday (shame on me) and we're not even half way through the month!!  Of course, I could input all birthdays into my phone or Outlook or even go old school and write them into a diary, but the reality is that I don't, or am not consistent or blah,blah,blah.  Facebook does it for me, why-o-why would I give that up?  I also miss the convenience of being able to drop someone a quick message to say that I'm thinking of them; or offer them congratulations/support/witty insults on the wee events that are happening in their lives that I learn about through their status updates.

I have, however, made the decision not to put the App back on my phone.  As Steve Jobs said, "This is a very complicated world; it's a very noisy world..."  True!  So I've decided to reduce some of the noise in my world.  I'm removing some of the 'notifications' that I get through my phone - other than messages sent straight to my phone (they are called 'text messages' - just in case anyone has forgotten!!  No, no...that's not a dig at people who don't text me any more...don't be silly!).

I have taken this mission of reducing 'noise' in my world a step further...and this is where my real challenge lies.  I have unsubscribed to LOTS of daily emails that I some how managed to subscribe to in the past year or 2.  Groupon, Itison, Livingsocial, some sport clothing/equipment company....and there are others, lots and lots of others.  They get under your skin.  Unsubscribing reminds me of when I try to call the credit card companies and ask them to reduce my limit and I get bombarded with:

Creditcard voice:  'Are you sure?'
Me (having just spent years trying to sort out my finances): 'Yes I am, thank you'
Creditcard voice:  'Ah, but do you have funds in case of an emergency?'
Me (in my head...'nope but be strong, you.can.do.it'.): 'I'm fine thank you, I would like to reduce the limit on my credit card please'.
Creditcard voice:  'What is your back up plan in case of an emergency?'
Me (My parents!!  That's normal for someone in their 30's no?!?): 'That's actually none of your business.  I've called to instruct you to reduce my limit on my credit card....p.l.e.a.s.e'  (i.e. please, please do it before I start panicking about what I'm going to do when there is next an emergency).
Creditcard voice:  'Of course'.
Me: Thank you.
Creditcard voice:  'Not a problem.  How about we reduce it half the amount you suggested, that way you've got access to funds, just in case....'

Unsubscribing:

Click here to unsubscribe.

'Click'

ARE YOU SURE???  Click here...

Emmm....'click'.

'You do realise that you are going to MISS OUT ON EVERYTHING?!  So, are you sure...really, really sure?'

Oh gosh.....emmmmmmmmm......ok *deep breath*....'click'.

'Right well...it could take up to 28 days and we're going to make damn sure that we bombard the hell out of your inbox right up until the day your account is unsubscribed then we'll probably continue as actually you subscribed to more than one of our services and you need to unsubscribe from ALL OF THEM - INDIVIDUALLY.  And we're not going to make it easy for you...*demonic laugh*.  Thank you for your custom.'


Getting back to my Facebook exile - it hasn't been without its costs.  As one of my friends pointed out via text - "You so jinxed the match yesterday by not being on FB!!!"  (She was referring to Scotland losing against Wales in the 6 nations after beating Italy and Ireland).
I can't deny it...she has a point.  I had on my lucky knickers, thistle necklace and was drinking (read: 'drunk on') whisky...the only element I changed was discussing the game before, during and after on Facebook.  It's ruined everything.  I shall not be making the same mistake next year...that I promise!!  And if I'm dead, I'll still find a way - well either that or I'll be using my ghostly powers to be hanging out in the Scotland teams changing room & showers...yes, I'm pretty sure that perving on hot men is allowed in the after life!!!