I discovered today that it’s been 28 weeks – or 7 months for those without superior maths’ skills – since I decided to attempt an Instagram detox. I wasn’t sure how long I’d last but just knew I needed the break.

I did dip my toes back into the ‘gram-infested water for a few days in early October 2019 when I attended a crime-writing festival and posted a couple of pics at Christmas, but that’s it.

Why I left Instagram

My biggest problem with Instagram was that it was such a time-waster for me. I adored the #vanlife and #tinyhouse stuff so I’d lie on my bed with my iPhone and follow the hashtags down the never-ending rabbit hole. Before I knew it an hour had passed and my ‘to-do’ list was going nowhere. Fast.

My other problem was – of course – the life envy I endured suffered. And though I’m conscious most people only share their highlights’ reel and the beautifully curated images don’t reflect the everyday crap; it still felt like everyone else’s highlights’ reel was better than mine. They had more friends, more fun, got books I didn’t, could afford nice holidays, had kids and partners. And I didn’t. Waaaaah!

Do I miss Instagram?

Though I knew it’d be healthy to cut out the life-envy stuff, I was surprised how little I missed the random scrolling.

I was reminded of discovering Pinterest over a dozen years ago and spending forever looking at art deco living spaces, loft living, fairy lights and outdoor spaces. At food I’d never cook and clothes I’d never wear.

What I did miss however, was the habit of documenting my life. I know there are those who HATE social media users who share meal pics or views or “I’ve just done this!” type posts… but as someone who lives alone and currently works from home, it was often how I engaged with the world.

“Look what I’m doing!” Or I’d share a funny (ie. sarcastic) meme about how much life sucked…. “This is how I’m feeling!”

Hi Twitter, I’m baaaack!

Of course, I reinvigorated my Twitter use – which I’d let slip since making my seachange. It was my platform of choice before 2012. I preferred it to Facebook and rarely used Instagram. Instead I’d flick through Twitter, responding to virtual friends and complete strangers on my commute to and from work. I had Tweetdeck open on my desktop computer at home and monitored the feed as it scrolled by when I was blogging or working.

Happily I’ve grown to love Twitter again and am reminded that there are some very funny and talented people in the world. It seems to be the social media du-jour for social commentators and writers*.

Sadly, of course, I still mostly use it to document the boring banality of my life.

But back to Instagram, and I’m keeping it off all of my devices for the foreseeable future… though do log onto the desktop version every couple of days as my niece is overseas and posts Instagram stories, so it’s the only way I keep up with her antics.

Have you detoxed or wanted to leave a social media platform? I wonder if Facebook should be next on my list, though I get A LOT of local info and news from pages I follow there. 

* Sadly trolls and bullies exist on Twitter as they do any other social media platform (and in life in general).

I’m trying to blog each day in March… to get my blogging / writing / interest in life mojo back. I’ll only open comments on some posts only though as I hate the idea of people feeling ‘obligated’ to pop by and read or say hi!