INSTA-cleanse

About 2 weeks ago, I had an insta-crash. 

I knew I had been using Instagram way too much... I would check it the moment I woke up, and while I sipped my morning tea. I checked it at stoplights on my way to work, and in the parking lot when arriving to work. I checked it when I was on phone calls at the office, and while chatting with co-workers. I checked it during all my meals, and on my way home from work. I checked it all evening between my activities, and through the night until I could lay in bed for the last hour of my day, still checking it.

I knew I was scrolling mindlessly all day wasting hours on top of hours, being distracted by fun pictures and silly videos- but I had never seen any harm in it, until 2 weeks ago...

The more I scrolled, the more I wanted. The more stories I saw, the more stories I wanted to watch. I was getting frustrated when I had already watched everything and people were not posting more updates. Having downtime at the office left me stuck alone, in my office, with the Instagram world at my fingertips.

The more you scroll, the more you want. My wanting for more, kept leading me to the Search Page, where I had endless content to continue distracting me. I scrolled through cat accounts. I scrolled through food and dessert accounts. I scrolled through old friend’s accounts. I scrolled through celebrity accounts. I scrolled through vacation destinations. I scrolled through inst-model accounts. Scrolled, scrolled, scrolled. When I couldn’t possibly scroll anymore, I turned my phone off and crashed.

I crashed straight into a feeling of depression and dissatisfaction. My mind had started craving all of the things I was scrolling through. The desserts. The cute cat outfits. The vacation destinations. The perfect bodies. It was as though my spirit had been sucked dry by the mindless scrolling. I felt inadequate. I felt disappointed in myself. I felt useless.

Anyone that knows me well, knows I have always loved posting snapchats and found lots of joy in sharing parts of my day with all of my nearest and dearest. I missed that happiness. Snapchat never made me “want more.” Snapchat never led me to cyber stalking the best friend, of my third cousin’s wife!

I went home and analyzed my life – literally – on paper. I wrote down what I viewed as assets and liabilities. I listed the good, the bad, and the indifferent. Seeing the components of my life on paper quickly reminded me I have built a pretty decent life for myself- a life I used to wish for. I have no logical reason to feel inadequate or useless. So why was I falling pray to these feelings?

We all know about balance. My Instagram use was way out of balance. We all know what it feels like to over eat. Or over work. Or over react. It never feels good...Neither did this. 

I decided to go on an IG cleanse. Sort of. No more than 20 minutes per day allowed. 10 minutes before noon. 10 minutes in the evening. It seems silly. It seems easy. But when you are used to being on your device non-stop, its not easy to break the habit. It takes time. It takes commitment. It takes discipline. 

Do we ever stop to realize just how much social media affects our mood and personality? 

The reality for me became clear: IG was severely affecting my mood. Since limiting my use to less than 20 minutes per day – I have seen tremendous improvement in my well- being. Here are a few pointers:

• Exercise your mind: One of the easiest parts of falling into IG is it requires absolutely zero thought or effort. Find healthy alternatives to “pass time.” Personally, I like playing mind games so I downloaded a couple of apps on my phone for cognative brain exercise. There are tons of apps you can try to find the one that best works for you. • Instagram with Perspective : Use social media as a tool. Not as a distraction. Use it as a tool to stay connected with people. Use it as a tool to grow your network. Use it as a toll to spread your love and your message. Do not lose yourself in the false digital landscape. Remember, most of what people share is carefully edited and tailored to seem a certain way. Keep this in perspective when scrolling. Not one single person on our feed has a perfect life – and there sure is no life better than yours. 

Keep perspective of your priceless treasures – health, family, freedom, and expression. 

• Stay present: Scrolling through IG became such an escape from the monotony of daily life. But in escaping into a digital world, you lose the gift of today. We will never get this day again. Why are we watching everyone else live their day while escaping ours? I remember this each time I feel like reaching for a distraction. Your life is too short to check out of, stay present! 

Today, I challenge you to a social cleanse. Take a look to see which social platform you are overusing, and go on a social diet. Limit your intake for the next 14 days and see what changes you begin to notice. Be sure to report back and share the challenge with a friend! #instacleanse