I received a private message on Facebook. It began harmlessly enough: "Hey, girl. Wanted to invite you to join in my next project—30 minutes of exercise and healthy eating. Promise to help you LOSE WEIGHT!"
It was all becoming too much. Facebook was running my life, not me.
But what killed Facebook for me was when I posted a photo, and five minutes later my son asked me how many "likes" it got. His question was a wake-up call.
"Likes" are signs of acceptance and approval. I had forgotten that acceptance and approval need to come from within and had unknowingly set him a bad example.
I tried to remember what life was like before Facebook. Surfing the internet was an occasional（偶尔的）activity, and I spent a lot more time reading books and magazines. I checked in with friends through texts, emails and phone calls.
To recreate the simplicity（简单） of those days and set a healthier example for my son, I closed my Facebook account.
I'd been in the habit of checking Facebook many times a day, so I had to come up with some new habits. I carried a novel and a crossword puzzle book around with me. I rediscovered playing the piano. I started taking yoga classes.
I stopped looking at the world through my cellphone. I felt completely present in the moment. The break left me feeling better about myself, my family, my home and my life.
After a few weeks, I returned to Facebook. Now I look at the photos of my friends' kids growing up and treasure how Facebook allows me to keep in touch with family far and wide. I have a look at it ever day, but no longer with the need to post ideas and photos from time to time.
It is not an addiction（瘾）any more.
