Deactivated approx two years ago, and its the best thing I ever did.
I no longer spend hours scrolling, feeling in adequate, comparing my life, feeling compelled to tell everyone and anyone my every move, people cannot judge or bitch about me because they have no idea whats going on in my life unless I share it with them myself. Mental health is better.
It all came to a head with me when myself and my partner went to a really expensive hotel in Dublin and I posted pictures. This get away had been planned and paid for up to a year previously, when we weren't having money troubles. We had to borrow money to go, and scrimp and save whilst out there. To get the bus back to the airport we had to use our last pennies - but it had been booked and paid for, and if we didn't go we would have lost everything anyway. So off we went.
I posted pictures and the backlash I got from "friends" over Facebook was disgusting. I actually cried.
A few months later, another holiday we had booked before times became difficult, to Isle of Wight. I totally cancelled it and lost all our money because the thought of facing peoples scrutiny again was too much.
Until I realised I didn't have to tell anybody anything. I hit delete and my life became authentically my own.
A work colleague from 10 years ago didn't need to know I had been out for lunch/walk/taking a shit etc.
I did get lots of FOMO afterwards, and it was a difficult habit to break, before realising... real friends would be in touch. They would tell me about their life. If somebody wanted me to be involved in something... they could call, text, email, show up at my door.
My social life dwindled but I shrugged off alot of fake friends.
I don't miss it. I would never go back. I would love to permanently delete it, but I'm not sure how to save years and years of photos safely, and comments from people who meant something (eg. My father who passed away) - if anyone can tell me how that would be appreciated.
Finally to say, Facebook is beyond fake. One such example was I had a friend, she went on a luxurious holiday with these work colleagues of hers, all younger, all slim and pretty, my friend looked like she was having the time of her life. Photos on the beach, videos out partying, drinks, experiences, captions on her photos "living my best life" - the whole lot. On returning captions read "take me back, best holiday ever " love my girls" etc.
When I met up with her, she cried telling me she had never felt so fat and frumpy, that she had fallen out with a couple of the girls, that she wished she had never gone, she was looking a flights home most of the time, started talking about how they all have their eyebrows done and fillers and how it was so superficial etc.
A few weeks later, she was out with them again...
With freshly done eyebrows and fillers.
The whole posting on Facebook was completely fake, and her attempting to keep up with them just pressure she felt by trying to "live her best life"
When it couldn't have been anything further from the truth.
I honestly belive Facebook is just lies, and damages our mental health. Since leaving I know without a doubt, I'm not influenced by anyone else, my life is genuinely mine and I'm living it for myself.
I am also not tempted to "Facebook stalk" that is so damaging within itself.
YouTube videos explaining Facebook addictive nature, and Google searches "leaving social medla" etc is a big help for anyone making the choice to leave Facebook.