Just admit it. You know if you're addicted to Facebook. You know if you are spending too much time on Facebook. You know if you are preoccupied with it. You know if you are letting it get in the way of other things.
Some people can manage our time on Facebook just fine. We can jump on every once in awhile, checking up on our friends' updates, seeing their new pictures, maybe quickly updating our own status, and then moving on with our lives. We don’t let it get in the way of us accomplishing other things. We don't spend hours on Facebook.
But you may not be one of those people. You may have an actual addiction to Facebook. If you spend large amounts of time on Facebook, you may be addicted. If you find yourself feeling preoccupied with thoughts of Facebook, you may be addicted. If you truly have developed an addiction to Facebook, you may need to take a few steps to overcome this addiction.
Here are a few steps you can use to help you overcome your addiction to Facebook:
1. Admit you have a problem.
Isn't this the first step to overcoming any addiction? You must first admit you have a problem before you can move forward towards overcoming it. Admit that you are addicted to Facebook. Don't lie to yourself. Take a look at the amount of time you are spending on Facebook. Are you missing out on other things or not getting important tasks done because of your time spend on Facebook? Are you not spending as much time with your family because you are too obsessed with getting on Facebook?
Analyze the amount of time you spend or the priority you put on Facebook. If it is getting a bit out of control, admit you have a problem, and then take a few steps to work through it.
2. Only get on once a day.
There is no reason why you should need to get on Facebook more than once a day. It is important for you to understand that. There is no friend's Facebook update that is important enough that you can't read it later. Instead of updating your status several times a day and checking your friend's updates several times a day, get out there and actually live your life!
3. Allow yourself a certain amount of time on Facebook.
Limit your time spent on Facebook to a certain amount of time a day. Don't let it get in the way of you doing other things. When you get on Facebook, set a timer for yourself. Once that timer goes off, immediately get off Facebook. You can get back on tomorrow. Don't waste your life on Facebook. There is too much living to be done. You can spend a little bit of time on Facebook, but then you should get out there and participate in real activities!
4. Use other methods of communication.
Facebook is not the only method of communication. In fact, many times it gets in the way of us having true communication with those around us. Facebook can be a good way to get updated on a mass level of people around you. But remember that it is no substitution for real communication. Instead of spending all of your time communicating with others through Facebook, actually communicate with them through real forms of communication! If you want to tell someone something, call them! If you are curious what is going on in someone's life, invite them to lunch.
5. Set goals for yourself.
To truly overcome your Facebook addiction, you need to set goals for yourself. This is not just goals for the time limit you will spend on Facebook each day. Think about goals for your life. What do you want to accomplish? Think of things that you want to accomplish today, this week, this year, and in your lifetime. Now think of how Facebook could be getting in the way of those goals. If you have some extra time, instead of spending it on Facebook, spend it on working towards some of your goals.
Nicole is a guest post writer for AddictionWatch, where they help to treat drug addiction and treatment.