Last Thursday I logged off Instagram for the foreseeable future. I lack the desire to keep up with steadily decreasing metrics. I don’t want to make reels. I don’t want to watch them. I don’t want to keep feeding the belief that I need this platform to have an impact in the world.
I feel like there is a mass cognitive shift in people’s thinking around social media. Particularly instagram - when it started out it was just a nice place for hipstery filtered photos - personally I remember it as a sort of soft, joyful inspiring place. The commodification of it & the move into influencer land all happened pretty insidiously. And ultimately of course the shall we say, Meta-fication of the platform?
For two cohorts I feel particularly terrible - the genuine, hard working artists who first got good and steady traction on the platform, who are now falling foul to the demands of the algorithm . And are quite literally losing their livelihoods as a result.
The second are those you call out in your stack, that are maybe unaware how addicted to validation seeking on the platform they have become whose posts now get one or two likes, who quietly spiral, and keep trying different ways to grab attention on the platform.
I think for long-timers on the platform we find ourselves realising we’ve slept walked into a trap - and because of our earlier associations to the platform we’re slower to roll back on it.
I left facebook in 2017, I joined and left tik tok over the space of probably 6 months. This year, I’m slowly weaning myself off Instagram - I drop in for max 1 week a month. In my time off it, I’ve found life so much richer - better balance, more creativity.
Thank you so much for sharing. I remember those early days of IG too. I resonated with your sleep walking description - so well stated. It took years for my addiction to manifest on that platform because it morphed into something I do not think many of us outside of the tech world saw coming to that degree. Like you I am finding my life much richer off the app ❤️
I took a four month break at the end of last year and into January of this year. It was great. I felt my focus return, was able to be more present, spent more time meeting up with people, gained clarity, read (for pleasure) more than I had since childhood, and pursued new and different hobbies. I felt more "myself" and like I had space to do what I wanted, without being influenced by what I saw online - things to do or try. It left me room to pursue the things that piqued my curiosity naturally rather than something I happened to see online. And if I did go online, it was intentional - to look up the name of a book or answer a question (I got really into fermentation so I'd look up information on that).
In saying all of that, why did I go back?
- There was an element of "missing out". Even when in person with certain friend groups, I realized a lot of their conversation was discussing content they'd seen online. I had no idea what they were talking about and felt left out.
- I also felt more creatively inspired to share and instagram seemed the place/way to share most easily and accessibly. [the irony is that this creativity was most likely a direct result of NOT being on the platforms because it has diminished since I've returned]
- I thought it would help me grow my business because despite doing more in person breathwork practices, I would frequently have clients who came to my sessions at studios and ask if I had instagram... I wanted to connect with more people and spread breathwork, and instagram seemed like the place to do it.
But as soon as I was back on it, I felt the creativity and focus leave me. I found I was reading less (when off instagram I was finishing multiple books a week and thoroughly enjoying it).
I'm currently thinking of how I can leave the platform while still growing my business. I'm still not entirely sure of what to do.
I can totally understand your perspective here. I left Facebook, Twitter or X and dropped off of Instagram for a while but then I wrote a book and everyone said I needed to post about and promote it on social media and then I fell into the trap of posting and checking for likes and comments and all that. Did it help? Maybe a bit but not enough to be meaningful. But lately, with all of the chaos going on in the world I find myself scrolling endlessly and getting angry and frustrated. I know this isn’t healthy for me (my hand hurts from all the scrolling and reposting). It isn’t helping me to help anybody either. I decided this morning that I would stop opening instagram and try being really present in my life. We’ll see how it goes.
I feel that pull between the belief that I need IG for promotion (book or business etc) and that it doesn’t really seem to meaningfully impact anything positively. In fact it only seems to negatively impact me and my mental health.
This was excellent. I appreciated the genuine reflection on the impact of these social media platforms. I haven't opened X in a while but I also haven't deleted it! You've given me plenty to think about. Thanks!
I noticed I'm quite addicted to social media as well. For years already. But as beautifully said: ''self-knowledge avails us nothing''. Usually, I say that self-knowledge is the first step to change but in some cases, it's just not enough. I always rejected TikTok and then Reels was introduced and then the mindless scrolling started nevertheless lol. Basically the same thing. It's all the same thing. On days when I have less work or I'm less socially involved, I catch myself scrolling AGAIN. I am so over it. Also a reason why I started to become more active on Substack and other platforms. To actually WRITE and interact on meaningful topics with like-minded people. And more offline times. I love to be in nature so much.
Ooof. This hit home. I am constantly doom scrolling disguised as 'researching' on IG and yet, I haven't posted since November 2023. I am facing a similar issue as you did, I am working on a my first novel and feel like if I don't curate a robust, active and engaging platform by yesterday, then I won't stand a chance in the publishing world. It's an insane amount of pressure when all I want to do is write and be with my family.
Thanks for writing this and for the linked resources!
Right there with you Kameko! I hear you about the struggles with being a writer and figuring out where, how, when, and if to use social media. It's such an insane amount of pressure! Thinking of you and rooting for you!
First may I say, your vulnerability in this piece is beautiful Ashley! I too come from 12 step recovery and there’s so much symbolism there that I resonate with.
I’ve taken brakes here and there. I don’t have the IG app on my phone but can log in on a browser. It’s less efficient, but I find myself going there way less because it takes more work to get there.
It’s for sure a love hate relationship. Especially as I look at moving beyond 1-1 sessions, I feel the pull that I “need” to be on socials. I don’t want to fall into that again.
For now, I’ve found more love and less hate in the relationship with Substack so I’d like to invest more time there and less in the others.
I deleted IG from my phone a week after October 7th 2023. The content I was bombarded with was having deep impacts on my nervous system, mental health, and inner reserves for self-care/inner attunement.
I find that I instal the app about 1x weekly to check a few accounts…for a maximum of 15 minutes…but mostly, I’m much happier without it in my life. I find the fast pace and performative aspects of it toxic and out of alignment with my priorities.
Sometimes I worry about missing something pertaining to my field…mostly I can let this go…
I spend too much time focused on a screen and removing IG from my daily life’s equation has been an overall liberation, an act of fierce countercultural self-care. 💜
Thank you for sharing Sarah, I really appreciate reading about the decision you made to take IG out of your daily life. I am feeling the effects on my brain and nervous system intensely as well as mental health and inner attunement as well.
I am enjoying learning how each of us has a different approach to taking time off the app and ultimately finding what gives us the liberation we want. I love your last sentence too - that realh lands with me ❤️
Also - my friends and I have been taking about how it feels like we are getting to a place where fb and IG will be like smoking sometime soon. Something we used to do, but finally realized was terrible for us.
This is very up for a lot of us. One thing I find is that it's vital to get clear on the GET of your "addiction". It's potentially different for everyone, believe it or not! For me it's CONNECTION. Pure and simple. I want to have that yummy feeling of connection. However, I know it is NEVER satisfied by social media. The connection I crave is inward - to myself, my body, and feeling good. Once I am clear on this, and I reinforce my own clarity by truly feeling this Truth in my backbone... I am able to log off, have social media boundaries, and keep them, etc. That's me! Maybe helpful for others tho'.
This is amazing Jessica, thank you for sharing. So many of us are craving this kind of connection. So glad you took the time to share here for all of us!
It resonates deeply with me, not because I'm addicted to social media but because I hate it, viscerally. I think I am allergic to it at some deep level. It leaves me shaking and anxious to get off it, but as you say in the post, it is important as an author to have a presence. I drop in from time to time, say something, respond to a few friends (who know better than to contact me this way) and leave as quickly as I can. Thank you for your honesty, Ashley. And well done on taking such a momentous step! Good luck xx
I so relate to your share Rose, about the anxiety. I am glad you are finding ways to navigate it that work for you and am really grateful to have your voice in this conversation. 💫
I love how well you captured the push and pull of Instagram. I went off IG in November during a family trip and when it was over I just never logged back on. I was a bit overwhelmed by the holidays and thought a break world be nice, but even after the holidays I felt so great (time back, clear head, less consumption mindset) that I've stayed off. The hardest thing at first was feeling cutoff from friends - I realized that I use it a lot for communication, so now I try to be better about calling/texting and staying in touch other ways (is IG messaging about memes and quick reactions meaningful interaction anyway?). I still have the app and have spent some time removing all accounts except for friends and art (no brands/influencers, etc), and I occasionally log back on now to check messages and my art-filled feed now actually feels really fun to look at and I'm not tempted to buy anything. I spend way more time on Substack now, where I feel like there is so much amazing content and it always feel like time well spent. Good luck with your own departure!
I generally give up IG for Lent and that often feels freeing.
What I've observed about the platform is that it used to be about sharing photos with friends. Now, it's advertising and I hardly ever see anything from my personal life. I do find it valuable for natural health, herbalism, foraging, and homesteading - however, when I really think about it - what percentage of the videos/posts do I actually remember? Probably not many...
Many people have gotten off social media, or they're not posting anymore so it's boring now. I really use it for groups and for information on the things that interest me. But it's no longer about staying in touch with anyone I actually know.
I’ve had an interesting relationship with social media since I was quite young. I was a preteen when MySpace began and I when I was 14 my family and I moved across the world. Because of this, Facebook was the method in which I shared my life with my friends back home. It gave me connection when I was feeling so indescribably different & apart.
I continued this connection through social media into adulthood as I continued to develop relationships with people & then part ways. It gave us a way to quietly observe & cheer for from a distance or connect in deep conversation written through keyboards & character limits.
Lately though I’ve felt as you described. I can viscerally feel a buzzing, a chaos, in my head and in my body I feel scattered. Even when I’m not on instagram, I think about what’s going on there. Wondering if anyone’s responded to my post or messaged me or what they’re doing.
I decided to log off for the week leading up to my wedding and throughout the honeymoon and I just haven’t been back on since.
I feel as though I’m going through a massive transition and my energy is needed here, concentrated and focused on transforming & savoring every moment of it.
I’m not sure if or when I’ll feel “called” to get back on it but I am working through immense amounts of realizations within myself simply by stepping away.
We shall see
Thank you for sharing this - it felt acutely aligned with my current experiences
I have taken so many breaks. Some long, many short. I have a love/hate relationship with social media. Love catching up with friends, hate that it distracts me from real life happening in front of me. I am soooo close to logging off but just can’t seem to pull the trigger. I want more room for writing, for the outdoors, for reading, for people that I can physically hug.
I especially connected with this essay and my guess is there are many others out there who did as well. Can’t wait to see where your non-Instagram life takes you!
Since being on Substack for the past 4 months I’m on Instagram a lot less. So I keep it for the ease of connecting with certain contacts, plus I think I have this constant background idea of ‘one day I’ll get back into posting consistently’.
I actually don’t mind making Reels or watching them, but I feel like it was more suited to my pre-child self, hard and fast and frequent and all-consuming energy-wise.
However there are still days when I’m on there and feel so sucked in that the quality of the content I consume is irrelevant, I finally close it feeling discombobulated and irritated, and that’s intelligent information!
Beautiful and brave post. I also deleted Instagram a couple months ago, largely spurred by post Oct 7th decisiveness and my own desire to be present in my life, rather than observing others lives or boiling over with frustration about how others are expressing their views. Since being off I find that I have so much more time to dig deep with substack writers I love, reading more books, gardening, spending time with family and hiking. Being present, as you say. As an entrepreneur, I do worry that not using social media to promote my business is a disservice to my business, I am not willing to make the sacrifices to my mental health for that, so I’m good with my choice. I look forward to reading more about how things go for you in the coming months!
Thank you Fanshen. I am so glad you took the time to share here and I love reading about what your life has looked like post IG. Like you, I am looking forward to digging deeper with Substack and the amazing writing and community that is here.
I also hear you about not using social media to promote your work and I highly recommend the Off the Grid podcast - its all about growing a small business with little to no social media. It is brilliant!
I fear for the younger generations, I think social media is a having a seriously detrimental impact on society. I use it sparingly, however this is a challenge.
I use an app called Opal which allows me to block selected apps at selected times. It’s had a great impact on reducing my overall screen time and that of social media. I use FB and IG only. Tik Tok and Snapchat are the worst in my opinion, I avoid these.
I deleted Instagram a couple months ago kind of in the spur of the moment, well I deactivated my account and haven't been on since. Part of me just wants to fully delete it. As a 23 year old who grew up having Instagram since middle school, it is definitely different not having it. It was a big adjustment at first. I do feel disconnected from my friends and sort of left-out as I am the only one without it. I miss seeing updates from my friends, and it was especially helpful in keeping in touch with friends who I don't get to see too often. But it is also more of an incentive to actually text/call friends instead which I much more enjoy.
It is honestly such a relief not having it. I feel like I have a tiny bit more control over my life. It has been better for my mental health. I have been reading more too. It's given me the chance to step back and observe just how addicted we all are, and how accepted it is. There are parts I definitely miss. But the benefits of not having Instagram, or any social media, absolutely outweigh the disadvantages. And I fully encourage others to try it too, especially "young" folk like me who have known it for most of our teenage/adult life.
Thank you for this encouraging message. Honestly, at first I felt like a coward getting off social media, like I was taking the easy way out somehow. But I appreciate your perspective that it is actually a courageous act, it really is. I am making peace with it.
This resonates so much. Since the birth of my child, I have been focusing on just being present. I’ve been off Instagram and Facebook when I used to be soooo active before pregnancy. I love your courage. In a way I’ve stepped away from my online business all together and don’t see myself going back anytime soon.
I'd love to start a conversation in the comments.
How is your relationship to social media?
Have you ever taken a break or left indefinitely?
I look forward to connecting more around this!
I feel like there is a mass cognitive shift in people’s thinking around social media. Particularly instagram - when it started out it was just a nice place for hipstery filtered photos - personally I remember it as a sort of soft, joyful inspiring place. The commodification of it & the move into influencer land all happened pretty insidiously. And ultimately of course the shall we say, Meta-fication of the platform?
For two cohorts I feel particularly terrible - the genuine, hard working artists who first got good and steady traction on the platform, who are now falling foul to the demands of the algorithm . And are quite literally losing their livelihoods as a result.
The second are those you call out in your stack, that are maybe unaware how addicted to validation seeking on the platform they have become whose posts now get one or two likes, who quietly spiral, and keep trying different ways to grab attention on the platform.
I think for long-timers on the platform we find ourselves realising we’ve slept walked into a trap - and because of our earlier associations to the platform we’re slower to roll back on it.
I left facebook in 2017, I joined and left tik tok over the space of probably 6 months. This year, I’m slowly weaning myself off Instagram - I drop in for max 1 week a month. In my time off it, I’ve found life so much richer - better balance, more creativity.
Thank you so much for sharing. I remember those early days of IG too. I resonated with your sleep walking description - so well stated. It took years for my addiction to manifest on that platform because it morphed into something I do not think many of us outside of the tech world saw coming to that degree. Like you I am finding my life much richer off the app ❤️
Well said! I agree.
I took a four month break at the end of last year and into January of this year. It was great. I felt my focus return, was able to be more present, spent more time meeting up with people, gained clarity, read (for pleasure) more than I had since childhood, and pursued new and different hobbies. I felt more "myself" and like I had space to do what I wanted, without being influenced by what I saw online - things to do or try. It left me room to pursue the things that piqued my curiosity naturally rather than something I happened to see online. And if I did go online, it was intentional - to look up the name of a book or answer a question (I got really into fermentation so I'd look up information on that).
In saying all of that, why did I go back?
- There was an element of "missing out". Even when in person with certain friend groups, I realized a lot of their conversation was discussing content they'd seen online. I had no idea what they were talking about and felt left out.
- I also felt more creatively inspired to share and instagram seemed the place/way to share most easily and accessibly. [the irony is that this creativity was most likely a direct result of NOT being on the platforms because it has diminished since I've returned]
- I thought it would help me grow my business because despite doing more in person breathwork practices, I would frequently have clients who came to my sessions at studios and ask if I had instagram... I wanted to connect with more people and spread breathwork, and instagram seemed like the place to do it.
But as soon as I was back on it, I felt the creativity and focus leave me. I found I was reading less (when off instagram I was finishing multiple books a week and thoroughly enjoying it).
I'm currently thinking of how I can leave the platform while still growing my business. I'm still not entirely sure of what to do.
I can totally understand your perspective here. I left Facebook, Twitter or X and dropped off of Instagram for a while but then I wrote a book and everyone said I needed to post about and promote it on social media and then I fell into the trap of posting and checking for likes and comments and all that. Did it help? Maybe a bit but not enough to be meaningful. But lately, with all of the chaos going on in the world I find myself scrolling endlessly and getting angry and frustrated. I know this isn’t healthy for me (my hand hurts from all the scrolling and reposting). It isn’t helping me to help anybody either. I decided this morning that I would stop opening instagram and try being really present in my life. We’ll see how it goes.
How is it going?
I feel that pull between the belief that I need IG for promotion (book or business etc) and that it doesn’t really seem to meaningfully impact anything positively. In fact it only seems to negatively impact me and my mental health.
But quitting the scroll is so hard!
This was excellent. I appreciated the genuine reflection on the impact of these social media platforms. I haven't opened X in a while but I also haven't deleted it! You've given me plenty to think about. Thanks!
Thank you Carrie! Glad to have you in this conversation!
I noticed I'm quite addicted to social media as well. For years already. But as beautifully said: ''self-knowledge avails us nothing''. Usually, I say that self-knowledge is the first step to change but in some cases, it's just not enough. I always rejected TikTok and then Reels was introduced and then the mindless scrolling started nevertheless lol. Basically the same thing. It's all the same thing. On days when I have less work or I'm less socially involved, I catch myself scrolling AGAIN. I am so over it. Also a reason why I started to become more active on Substack and other platforms. To actually WRITE and interact on meaningful topics with like-minded people. And more offline times. I love to be in nature so much.
Ooof. This hit home. I am constantly doom scrolling disguised as 'researching' on IG and yet, I haven't posted since November 2023. I am facing a similar issue as you did, I am working on a my first novel and feel like if I don't curate a robust, active and engaging platform by yesterday, then I won't stand a chance in the publishing world. It's an insane amount of pressure when all I want to do is write and be with my family.
Thanks for writing this and for the linked resources!
Right there with you Kameko! I hear you about the struggles with being a writer and figuring out where, how, when, and if to use social media. It's such an insane amount of pressure! Thinking of you and rooting for you!
First may I say, your vulnerability in this piece is beautiful Ashley! I too come from 12 step recovery and there’s so much symbolism there that I resonate with.
I’ve taken brakes here and there. I don’t have the IG app on my phone but can log in on a browser. It’s less efficient, but I find myself going there way less because it takes more work to get there.
It’s for sure a love hate relationship. Especially as I look at moving beyond 1-1 sessions, I feel the pull that I “need” to be on socials. I don’t want to fall into that again.
For now, I’ve found more love and less hate in the relationship with Substack so I’d like to invest more time there and less in the others.
Good on you!! Here's a gift from John O'Donohue as you practice presence:
A Blessing for Presence
"May you awaken to the mystery of being here
And enter the quiet immensity of your own presence.
May you have joy and peace in the temple of your senses.
May you receive great encouragement when new frontiers beckon.
May you respond to the call of your gift
And find the courage to follow its path.
May the flame of anger free you from falsity.
May warmth of heart keep your presence aflame and anxiety never linger about you.
May your outer dignity mirror an inner dignity of soul.
May you take time to celebrate the quiet miracles that seek no attention.
May you be consoled in the secret symmetry of your soul.
May you experience each day as a sacred gift, Woven around the heart of wonder."
I love John O'Donohue, thank you for sharing his words here Gary. They feel very resonant. I will return to this often.
Such a good one... thank you for sharing it in this context.
I was just thinking of this blessing when reading the post - thanks for sharing Gary
Love your writing Ashley💙
I deleted IG from my phone a week after October 7th 2023. The content I was bombarded with was having deep impacts on my nervous system, mental health, and inner reserves for self-care/inner attunement.
I find that I instal the app about 1x weekly to check a few accounts…for a maximum of 15 minutes…but mostly, I’m much happier without it in my life. I find the fast pace and performative aspects of it toxic and out of alignment with my priorities.
Sometimes I worry about missing something pertaining to my field…mostly I can let this go…
I spend too much time focused on a screen and removing IG from my daily life’s equation has been an overall liberation, an act of fierce countercultural self-care. 💜
Thank you for sharing Sarah, I really appreciate reading about the decision you made to take IG out of your daily life. I am feeling the effects on my brain and nervous system intensely as well as mental health and inner attunement as well.
I am enjoying learning how each of us has a different approach to taking time off the app and ultimately finding what gives us the liberation we want. I love your last sentence too - that realh lands with me ❤️
Also - my friends and I have been taking about how it feels like we are getting to a place where fb and IG will be like smoking sometime soon. Something we used to do, but finally realized was terrible for us.
I feel the same!
This is very up for a lot of us. One thing I find is that it's vital to get clear on the GET of your "addiction". It's potentially different for everyone, believe it or not! For me it's CONNECTION. Pure and simple. I want to have that yummy feeling of connection. However, I know it is NEVER satisfied by social media. The connection I crave is inward - to myself, my body, and feeling good. Once I am clear on this, and I reinforce my own clarity by truly feeling this Truth in my backbone... I am able to log off, have social media boundaries, and keep them, etc. That's me! Maybe helpful for others tho'.
This is amazing Jessica, thank you for sharing. So many of us are craving this kind of connection. So glad you took the time to share here for all of us!
Thank you for writing such a thought provoking piece! ❤️🙏
It resonates deeply with me, not because I'm addicted to social media but because I hate it, viscerally. I think I am allergic to it at some deep level. It leaves me shaking and anxious to get off it, but as you say in the post, it is important as an author to have a presence. I drop in from time to time, say something, respond to a few friends (who know better than to contact me this way) and leave as quickly as I can. Thank you for your honesty, Ashley. And well done on taking such a momentous step! Good luck xx
I so relate to your share Rose, about the anxiety. I am glad you are finding ways to navigate it that work for you and am really grateful to have your voice in this conversation. 💫
I love how well you captured the push and pull of Instagram. I went off IG in November during a family trip and when it was over I just never logged back on. I was a bit overwhelmed by the holidays and thought a break world be nice, but even after the holidays I felt so great (time back, clear head, less consumption mindset) that I've stayed off. The hardest thing at first was feeling cutoff from friends - I realized that I use it a lot for communication, so now I try to be better about calling/texting and staying in touch other ways (is IG messaging about memes and quick reactions meaningful interaction anyway?). I still have the app and have spent some time removing all accounts except for friends and art (no brands/influencers, etc), and I occasionally log back on now to check messages and my art-filled feed now actually feels really fun to look at and I'm not tempted to buy anything. I spend way more time on Substack now, where I feel like there is so much amazing content and it always feel like time well spent. Good luck with your own departure!
I generally give up IG for Lent and that often feels freeing.
What I've observed about the platform is that it used to be about sharing photos with friends. Now, it's advertising and I hardly ever see anything from my personal life. I do find it valuable for natural health, herbalism, foraging, and homesteading - however, when I really think about it - what percentage of the videos/posts do I actually remember? Probably not many...
Many people have gotten off social media, or they're not posting anymore so it's boring now. I really use it for groups and for information on the things that interest me. But it's no longer about staying in touch with anyone I actually know.
Currently on an indefinite hiatus.
I’ve had an interesting relationship with social media since I was quite young. I was a preteen when MySpace began and I when I was 14 my family and I moved across the world. Because of this, Facebook was the method in which I shared my life with my friends back home. It gave me connection when I was feeling so indescribably different & apart.
I continued this connection through social media into adulthood as I continued to develop relationships with people & then part ways. It gave us a way to quietly observe & cheer for from a distance or connect in deep conversation written through keyboards & character limits.
Lately though I’ve felt as you described. I can viscerally feel a buzzing, a chaos, in my head and in my body I feel scattered. Even when I’m not on instagram, I think about what’s going on there. Wondering if anyone’s responded to my post or messaged me or what they’re doing.
I decided to log off for the week leading up to my wedding and throughout the honeymoon and I just haven’t been back on since.
I feel as though I’m going through a massive transition and my energy is needed here, concentrated and focused on transforming & savoring every moment of it.
I’m not sure if or when I’ll feel “called” to get back on it but I am working through immense amounts of realizations within myself simply by stepping away.
We shall see
Thank you for sharing this - it felt acutely aligned with my current experiences
I have taken so many breaks. Some long, many short. I have a love/hate relationship with social media. Love catching up with friends, hate that it distracts me from real life happening in front of me. I am soooo close to logging off but just can’t seem to pull the trigger. I want more room for writing, for the outdoors, for reading, for people that I can physically hug.
I especially connected with this essay and my guess is there are many others out there who did as well. Can’t wait to see where your non-Instagram life takes you!
I closed all social media accounts the morning I made the decision to stop drinking..freedom! Such a gift for my mental health
Amazing Laura! What a gift. Celebrating you!
Since being on Substack for the past 4 months I’m on Instagram a lot less. So I keep it for the ease of connecting with certain contacts, plus I think I have this constant background idea of ‘one day I’ll get back into posting consistently’.
I actually don’t mind making Reels or watching them, but I feel like it was more suited to my pre-child self, hard and fast and frequent and all-consuming energy-wise.
However there are still days when I’m on there and feel so sucked in that the quality of the content I consume is irrelevant, I finally close it feeling discombobulated and irritated, and that’s intelligent information!
Beautiful and brave post. I also deleted Instagram a couple months ago, largely spurred by post Oct 7th decisiveness and my own desire to be present in my life, rather than observing others lives or boiling over with frustration about how others are expressing their views. Since being off I find that I have so much more time to dig deep with substack writers I love, reading more books, gardening, spending time with family and hiking. Being present, as you say. As an entrepreneur, I do worry that not using social media to promote my business is a disservice to my business, I am not willing to make the sacrifices to my mental health for that, so I’m good with my choice. I look forward to reading more about how things go for you in the coming months!
Thank you Fanshen. I am so glad you took the time to share here and I love reading about what your life has looked like post IG. Like you, I am looking forward to digging deeper with Substack and the amazing writing and community that is here.
I also hear you about not using social media to promote your work and I highly recommend the Off the Grid podcast - its all about growing a small business with little to no social media. It is brilliant!
I fear for the younger generations, I think social media is a having a seriously detrimental impact on society. I use it sparingly, however this is a challenge.
I use an app called Opal which allows me to block selected apps at selected times. It’s had a great impact on reducing my overall screen time and that of social media. I use FB and IG only. Tik Tok and Snapchat are the worst in my opinion, I avoid these.
I deleted Instagram a couple months ago kind of in the spur of the moment, well I deactivated my account and haven't been on since. Part of me just wants to fully delete it. As a 23 year old who grew up having Instagram since middle school, it is definitely different not having it. It was a big adjustment at first. I do feel disconnected from my friends and sort of left-out as I am the only one without it. I miss seeing updates from my friends, and it was especially helpful in keeping in touch with friends who I don't get to see too often. But it is also more of an incentive to actually text/call friends instead which I much more enjoy.
It is honestly such a relief not having it. I feel like I have a tiny bit more control over my life. It has been better for my mental health. I have been reading more too. It's given me the chance to step back and observe just how addicted we all are, and how accepted it is. There are parts I definitely miss. But the benefits of not having Instagram, or any social media, absolutely outweigh the disadvantages. And I fully encourage others to try it too, especially "young" folk like me who have known it for most of our teenage/adult life.
Thank you for this encouraging message. Honestly, at first I felt like a coward getting off social media, like I was taking the easy way out somehow. But I appreciate your perspective that it is actually a courageous act, it really is. I am making peace with it.
This resonates so much. Since the birth of my child, I have been focusing on just being present. I’ve been off Instagram and Facebook when I used to be soooo active before pregnancy. I love your courage. In a way I’ve stepped away from my online business all together and don’t see myself going back anytime soon.