For the last month and a half, I have given up the app, Instagram. My friend challenged me that I could not go without it. I, being prideful, wanted to prove her wrong and it has been one of the best things I have ever done.

I remember when Instagram was created and broadcast to the world. I remember how cool and weird I thought it was. It was so cool because one was able to indirectly share important fun moments with friends and family, but like everything else, it has risks. Risks like strangers stalking me, my life is accessible to anyone who has an internet connection or becoming addicted to the knick-knacks of the app. However, my sixth-grade self wasn't thinking about any of those risks. All she was thinking was "look how cool this app is, I want it." And after a few days of persuading my mother, I created my Instagram.

I have had an Instagram since sixth grade and I am now a freshman in college. Not once had I given up or put it aside until my friend challenged me. In my defense, I was not addicted to the app. I had learned that there is a world outside the screen and never had a desire of being "Insta-famous", however, one could see there was an attachment. I used it for what it was meant for, keeping up with friends and family, as well as, providing friends and family with updates about my life. I used to keep up with famous people I admired, fashion trends, and I loved to find bloggers and read what they were writing. But what I did not see happening is me using it as a crutch.

Looking back on the last month and a half, I realized that I would get on Instagram when I was bored, when I was avoiding an awkward situation in public, or when I have spare time on my hands. It was a second life.

At the beginning of this challenge, I saw all these aspects and then was determined not to get on Instagram to see how much my life would change.

My life has changed in the best ways! I am now more productive, I do not get caught up in all the drama of Hollywood, I do not envy others life's, I don't feel like I have to meet a body standard and I do not feel like I have to satisfy an unsaid obligation of posting. I also don't even think about a follower/ following ratio and have realized who I actually care about seeing on my feed. With all this good, I'll admit that I have missed seeing what my friends have done while being at their schools and miss family updates.

I now have it back and beat my friends challenged, but I still feel like I can't get on Instagram. I'm nervous that I will fall back into old habits and to be completely honest I don't want it back, but at the same time, I want it for the reasons I missed it.

With all I have learned and told you, I am now a happier me. I have found a good balance of staying updated on family and friends and not using the app as a crutch. I would recommend to anyone to take a break from Instagram or any other form of social media.