Deactivating vs Deleting: My Journey Through Facebook

In today's digital age, social media platforms like Facebook have become a part of our daily routine. However, the journey of many users involves a reevaluation of their online presence and the decision to either deactivate or delete their accounts. In this article, we explore the pros and cons of both options, drawing from a firsthand experience of someone who has taken the step to delete their Facebook account after years of usage.

The Case for Deactivating

For those weighing the decision, an option that many might consider is deactivating their account. Noah, one of our contributors, shares his experience of taking a break from Facebook for over two years. He found Facebook to be a source of endless distractions and information overload during the pandemic. While he didn't regret deactivating the account, his journey includes a significant pain point—separation from his network and the realization that it was a necessary step for personal growth:

" Hi! I’m off Facebook, haha, sounds like some serious addiction for more than two years now. I deleted my account in 2020 just around the time pandemic hit the world, we were all at home. Most of us! Since you are doing everything from home, you manage things in timeline and as a result, get extra time to do things. Unfortunately, what I was doing was just mindlessly scrolling the app for god knows how many hours. Was I stalking people? No, I was just soaking in every information, every piece of article, and then non-sense as well. After a few weeks, I realized I was not helping myself at all! I decided, I will just leave FB. Deleted the account the next second."

The Decision to Delete

For some, the decision might be more drastic, leading to the complete deletion of their Facebook account. A user, who prefers to remain anonymous, shares their experience of deleting Facebook after nearly a decade of usage. This user describes it as a liberating yet painful process, feeling as though a part of their life was taken away when the account was completely removed:

"Never. Wasted 8 ridiculous years saying weird things causing attention to myself and posting my problems out there and getting upset that I don’t get likes so I lose my friends in the process. Soooo done with those troubling times."

Despite feeling pain, the user emphasizes that the decision to delete was made with a clear understanding of personal goals and values, thus not regretting the decision:

"Soooooo done with those troubling times. Do I regret it? Not a single bit. Because I did it when I knew what I wanted to do. If somebody else had asked me to do it, the answer would be different."

Reflecting on Loss and Gains

Another contributor reflects on the dual impact of deleting Facebook, feeling both a sense of loss and gain. This person highlights the painful process of losing connections and memories but finds solace in a greater sense of self-awareness and digital detox:

"All my photos gone, all my chats gone, all my comments gone, all my contacts gone. It feels as if a part of me has been removed from my life. Had I known it would cause me so much pain, I wouldn't have deleted it. I deactivated it a lot of times before that deletion happened, and it is very painful. When people talk of Facebook, it gives me pain, or if I see someone using Facebook, it pains me further."

These experiences highlight the emotional and existential impact of interacting with social media platforms. They also emphasize the importance of self-reflection in decision-making, especially when it comes to maintaining a healthy digital life.

Advising Caution

One key takeaway from these stories is the importance of considering the long-term effects of deactivating or deleting social media accounts. Noah offers a piece of advice to those contemplating the same journey:

"A piece of advice that I would like to give to everybody is that never delete only deactivate your Facebook."

While there is no one-size-fits-all solution, understanding the reasons behind each decision can help individuals make more informed choices about their social media usage.