If you’re like me, you probably have accounts with several social media applications like Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat etc etc… But have you ever thought about why you have those accounts and what they do for you… or better yet, to you?  Did it ever occur to you that you might be addicted?

My best friend gave me a challenge a while back and it was very simple – to stay away from Facebook for 48 hours and then blog about the result (which I did in Norwegian back in February). He’s not on Facebook and prefers to spend his time in «the real world», while I constantly argue that Facebook is very practical when it comes to keeping in touch with friends around the world! Needless to say, he didn’t think I wouldn’t make it and I wasn’t that sure myself… The moment he left my apartment, the first thing on my mind was to check Facebook to see what was new. Instead, I went to settings on my iPhone and removed all notifications for Facebook and started my quest!

I have to admit that it was tough that first day, since checking social media has become a habit when I’m not busy… The next morning, I managed to stay away from Facebook as I went to my kitchen to make breakfast and my ability to stay away got stronger as the day progressed. By the time I went to bed that day, it wasn’t even an issue… At the end of the two day challenge, I discovered that I had no problem staying away from Facebook when needed! An added bonus was that my focus on other social media applications, such as Instagram and Snapchat, had diminished as well…

So what was the consequence of that experiment? I’m still on Facebook, but I have a much stronger focus on why I’m still there… I have decided to use Facebook, instead of being used. In addition I have also removed Facebook and Messenger from my iPhone, as I no longer see the need to be reachable at all times! It has reminded me that people are more important than random updates on Facebook, so I check Facebook when I’m alone…  Socializing is much more fun when people actually talk to each other in person, rather than via social media when sitting in the same room!

Still not sure if you’re addicted? If checking Facebook is the first and last thing on your mind every day, I’d say you have reasons to get worried….