7 Ways to Stay Connected Without Facebook

Facebook. If you don’t use it, you’ve heard of it. And if you use it, you probably use it a lot. It’s a great way to stay connected with friends and family, and reconnect with people you haven’t seen or heard from in ages.

But how would you stay connected if you suddenly found yourself without Facebook? Here are 7 suggestions in no particular order.

1. Email – it’s not limited to a certain number of characters, and you can attach pictures, link to videos, etc. to your heart’s content.
2. Texting – a great way to stay connected on the go. But I’ve seen people texting each other while standing side-by-side. Lame!
3. Instant Messaging – Live Messenger, Google Talk, Yahoo! IM, etc. They’re like Facebook chat. But better.
4. VoIP – services like Skype have allowed us to  interact like never before. You can have a voice call or video chat with any other Skype user for free. The Skype client also has built in instant messaging.
5. Phone call – call someone on your cell phone or your home phone (if you still have one) and just talk. It’s fun to call friends or family you haven’t talked with in a long time, catch up, and share your memories.
6. Write a letter – a real one. Or send a postcard. There’s nothing quite like getting a hand-written note in the mail from someone you love. Try it sometime. It’s actually pretty fun to write letters back and forth, especially to family or friends that may not be into the Internet or texting.
7. Face to face – turn off the computer, your internet-connected gadgets, and your cell phones. Connect “offline” with your family and friends. Go to them or invite them over. Visit, talk, interact in the “real world” instead of cyberspace. Play boardgames (remember those?). Go for a walk. Have a BBQ. Or just sit around and enjoy one another’s company. That, in my opinion, is one of the best ways to really stay connected.

Advertisement