Facebook.

For Lent this year, I decided to fast from Facebook.

I know what you’re thinking. It’s easy, just log out and don’t log back in until Easter. Delete the app off of your phone and it’s a piece of cake. Very cliché Abbey, very cliché.

Except I didn’t delete the app. I wanted the temptation to be there. I wanted to test myself. And let me tell you, my finger has hovered over that icon a hundred or so times. Sadly it’s only been 35 days, so that 100 times is quite a few times a day that I’ve been tempted.

Yes giving up Facebook (or any social media) was a very cliché thing to do for Lent.

But my reasoning was not.

Jealousy. Envy.

My life was full of these emotions and characteristics. Being instantaneously updated about everyone’s lives only made the jealousy more instantaneous. After a while checking Facebook became more depressing than it was exciting to see the new adventures in everyone’s lives. I’ve been so jealous of the relationships, the possessions, the happy life circumstances that I haven’t been happy, or content.

I just needed to step back and realize all the great things I have going for me. And there’s a lot of them. Being away from Facebook and its jealousy bug has helped me be more content with what I have in life. I’m happier and my eyes have been more open to all of the beautiful people and opportunities that God has placed in my life.

And talk about all the reposts and sharing of annoying photos… Not having to deal with that has been an added benefit!! (Lol)

It’s pretty funny though because Facebook keeps emailing me and telling me that I have millions of messages notifications waiting for me.

Okay so that was a little bit of an exaggeration. But really, after 35 days the number gets pretty high.

And the best part about receiving these emails – I can think of a million more reasons that I should be content and grateful for what I already have and am blessed with.

Okay okay, so maybe that’s another exaggerated number. Maybe next year I should give up exaggerating…

I gave up Facebook to feel contentment and rid myself of an unnecessary source of jealousy.

Does Facebook do the same thing to you?

Try giving it up for a couple days, or a week, or a month, or a year.

Well maybe not a year. But try it! Maybe you’ll find contentment and peace in your life.

Count your blessings and be content.