Instagram is Making You Miserable
The first thing I noticed about quitting Instagram is that I save a lot of time.
For example, I actually eat my food when it arrives at the table.
Back when I had an Instagram profile, I couldn’t eat anything without first pulling out my iPhone and staging a photo shoot with my plate.
I would angle the dish just so, get the lighting right, prop the food up perfectly, maybe drizzle a little sauce over the top to add to the allure.
Only after snapping photos from a couple different angles, choosing from a range of filters, and applying the perfect Drake lyric to the caption, could I then relax and enjoy my meal.
Picture me in an airport Chipotle treating a $7 burrito like an Oscar nominee walking the red carpet.
In my Instagram days, I found myself taking pictures just to upload to my dozens of fans, instead of living in the moment.
I began thinking about my “engagement”, and “brand”. I took photos for the likes and comments I would get, rather than saving the memory for myself.
Disappointment settled in my stomach when I didn’t get cheers from friends for a minor accomplishment, or cute selfie with my dog.
It was a feeling of watching myself through the eyes of other people, most of whom I didn’t even know, in exchange for the dopamine rush of hearing my phone chirp with notifications.
1. I take fewer photos
The immediate effect of with deleting my Instagram is that I take fewer photos. I don’t feel pressured to document every “cool” moment of my life to show off to strangers.
I went to London a few weeks ago and had an amazing trip. I marveled at beautiful historic castles, and explored colorful neighborhoods of one of the world’s most famous cities.
I ate many photogenic burritos there, and since then. I know I was there and I enjoy thinking back on the memories. For myself, not anyone else.
2. I’m happier
Since deleting Instagram, I feel happier, and more content, with my life.
I’m not comparing my boring daily life with other guys’ staged highlight reels: perfectly tanned guys (more muscular than me), leaning on a hot car (cooler than my Subaru), his arms around a sexier woman, on an amazing beach vacation.
Scrolling through photos of bodybuilder content creators at the beach, while I’m sitting at my desk 9 on a Tuesday morning, is a recipe for feeling ungrateful with all the blessings I have in my life.
With the IG app deleted, I don’t stare at my phone as much, if I do, I’m reading an e-book on Kindle, or video chatting my grandmother. Sometimes, I stare off into space and just daydream. I bring a pocket notebook and use spare time waiting in line to jot down ideas and strategies for my future.
I spend more time communicating, dreaming, and creating, instead of mindlessly scrolling.
3. I’m more present
The biggest improvement is that I am more present in my daily life.
I’m more aware of my surroundings. I find myself smiling at strangers, making silly faces to nearby babies, and aware of pregnant women and older people around that could use a hand getting the door.
I’m not just mindlessly consuming other people’s lives, then comparing myself to them, which is a recipe for unhappiness. I’m more present in my own life. It’s a relief. I have extra time in my day to do things that make me happy, like writing, playing with my dogs, texting friends and family. Deleting social media frees up my brain power to be creative. It feels good.