Is Facebook necessary for your career? 

 

I did this illustration because I quit Facebook a few weeks ago, on a moody whim and it's been great.  I'd say, cumulatively, I use to look at FB for about 30 minutes to an hour a day.  I used it to stay in the loop with LA people who were in the comedy scene (at this point I don't know a lot of illustrators).  But I disliked the self-consciousness I experienced from thinking about how people perceived me and my life through it.  Especially people whom I went to high school or college with, but never see or talk to anymore...  Or the way I felt voyeuristic by looking at other people's pictures and stuff (even though people posted them to share).  It just seemed like an unnatural way to "keep in touch" with people and it allowed me to feed an useless curiosity.  I have nothing against Facebook and I'm not trying to inspire a revolt.  In fact, I wonder about reactivating my account eventually, after devising a clearer plan to use Facebook exclusively for career promotion.  But even my fiance says he notices a positive difference in me since quitting -- which is creepy.  He says I just seem calmer and less self-critical and judgmental.  I just wonder, how necessary it is for work?  If anyone reading this, has an opinion -- let me know!  Especially any creatives who don't use Facebook to promote -- I would love to hear what you think, and what you do instead!