Last weekend, I went home to visit my family, and we got to talking about the distractions of social media.

Over two years ago, I gave my mom one of my favorite “brain candy” books, The Undomestic Goddess by Sophie Kinsella. It’s hilarious.

Anyway… she still has yet to read it! This wouldn’t be such a big deal, but for the last two years she has been constantly saying that she misses reading and that she used to do it a lot more, but that she instead ends up watching Netflix or going on Facebook during that short period of time before bed that’s also perfect for grabbing a good book and getting cozy.

Finally, my mom and I decided to both suspend our accounts until Christmas and just see what happens. So far, it’s been good! I have gotten a little more homework done and she has started the book! Obviously, we went to drastic measures and there is definitely a happy medium when it comes to balancing these aspects of life, but the cold turkey route has been successful thus far for us.

What’s so ironic though, is that only a week into our “Facebook fast,” I read an article in the New York Times that I really wanted to share with as many people as I could. I realized that one of the best ways to do so would be by logging back in. Because I feel so strongly about topics covered in the article, the greenhouse effect and how CO2 emissions are changing our world, I sheepishly logged back in and clicked “share.”

While Facebook has an entire continuum of good to bad impacts, I found what I feel is the best use for it through giving it up. I didn’t miss the mundane statuses about WeFest or being sick, but I did realize that the website can be an awesome place to share important articles, events, etc. to people, and through that, can help make a positive difference, if we so choose.

Since blogs are also a great way to spread news… check out the following link if you are so inclined. It really is important. www.nytimes.com/2013/10/10/science/earth/by-2047-coldest-years-will-be-warmer-than-hottest-in-past.html?nl=todaysheadlines&emc=edit_th_20131010&_r=0