I had to run from Instagram

2016/2017 was really my Instagram year. Kai! I spent time on that platform, daily hustling for followers and carefully following the trend of Instagram's big boys and girls. At the time, I was almost on approximately 2k followers, In the latter part of 2017, I deactivated my Instagram account, I can’t remember the exact day I did it but I knew it was late 2017. Instagram was fun for me, I’d get back from work and sit outside my house scrolling through Instagram feeds for hours, Instagram was literally my best friend! So why did I cut off my supposed best friend?
Let’s just say I couldn’t keep up with the version of me that my addiction to Instagram was creating. I realized that I began to look down on the reality of my own life while elevating the fantasy of living in other people’s perfect lives. I also couldn’t control my time anymore, I would periodically find myself scrolling through feeds while I was supposed to be occupied with something else.
Also, I got stuck in a dopamine loop as a result of my frequent Instagram usage. As of 2017, I didn’t even know what the word, ‘dopamine’ meant. Dopamine is a type of neurotransmitter produced in our bodies, it aids the feeling of pleasure. In other words, dopamine is a chemical produced in the brain that makes us feel good. Usage of Instagram helps release dopamine and that of course is not bad. However, the release of dopamine by an activity motivates you to continually be involved in that activity leading to addiction.
Last year, I also significantly reduced my use of Twitter as well. With Twitter, I noticed some behavioural differences following my frequent usage of the platform as well. I became easily irritated, and I became very poor at my communication skills. I experienced more difficulty in holding conversations with people that have differing opinions from mine without trying to be savage.
Okay, let’s move on from here —To be fair, there are a good number of positive advantages of social media. From connecting with people, getting information, building a brand or business, access to several opportunities… the list goes on.
On the other hand, a 2018 British study proved that usage of social media is connected to decreased, disrupted, and delayed sleep, which is in turn connected with depression, memory loss, and poor academic performance.
Depression, Anxiety and mental health issues
Addiction to social media is one easy way to have poor mental health. Social media encourages constant comparison and this often leads to unhappiness.
Low cognitive ability
According to scientists, we do not use our brains properly whenever we are on social media. Social media encourages our brains to react as opposed to think which is the ideal exercise for our brains.
Unrealistic Expectation
“Social media is not real”, it’s easy to be inauthentic on social media and many users of social media fall into the trap of believing this facade of reality. There are unrealistic expectations set for finances, marriage, relationships, friendship and all.
Addiction
Do you know that social media is more addictive than cigarettes and alcohol? A few years ago, a friend asked me to estimate the number of hours I spend on social media every day. I realized I was spending a tangible amount of time scrolling through social media. You might want to try estimating the amount of time you spend as well. According to the Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, it is advised to use social media for 30 minutes per day for better physical and mental health.
One of my resolutions for 2022 was to minimize and optimize social media usage. I wanted to significantly reduce the time I spend on social media while increasing the positive benefits of social media. I was able to achieve this to a reasonable extent by using the following tips.
I acknowledged that I was spending too much time on social media
I analyzed what I needed each social media platform for. So I avoided every platform that I didn’t have a solid need for (This is why I don’t have a tiktok account yet)
I estimated the frequency of posts and interactions I wanted to have on each platform and I tried my best to stick to it.
I periodically delete social media apps from my phone, I assigned days to each platform and only had the app installed on these defined days
I learnt to think more about the things I see on social media and not just react to them without thinking.
I engaged in more activities outside social media.
I just recently reopened my Instagram account and this time, I’m not the lost girl wandering around the streets of Instagram, I am now the girl with defined use and essence of Instagram.
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