I Gave Up Instagram For 21 Days And Here Are 4 Things I Found Out
Start writing a post
Health and Wellness

I Gave Up Instagram For 21 Days And Here Are 4 Things I Found Out

They say it takes 21 days to break a habit.

_reaganwat
Nov 13, 2018
Jacksonville State University
527
I Gave Up Instagram For 21 Days And Here Are 4 Things I Found Out
Personal Photo


Okay, before I start, you should know that I LOVE Instagram. I will unashamedly scroll for hours upon hours on the social media site, stalking my sister's boyfriend's sister's cat. It happens.

But you may ask, why did I only give up one of my social media accounts and not delete any others?

The answer is simple.

Instagram has a wicked way of making people feel absolutely terrible about themselves. One look at the Explore page and there is picture after picture of these seemingly perfect girls with perfect bodies in their perfect swimsuits with their perfect friends. And it leaves you wondering, "what am I doing wrong that I don't have this perfect life?"

Except "this life" that you see is so NOT perfect. In reality, it most likely isn't even real.

Pro-tip: Do NOT compare your life to the ones you see on social media.

People say it takes 21 days to break a habit, so I deleted my Instagram account for three weeks, and this is what I discovered:


1. Instagram is a highlight reel.

People glamorize their lives to give off the impression that they are always happy and having fun while you sit alone in your bed on a Saturday night watching ANOTHER episode of Friends. Everyone does it. I do it, you do it. Do you have the no-makeup, in-bed-eating-ice-cream selfies that give accurate pictures of your life?

Or are you REALLY always on the beach (with a tan from the Airbrushed app) or taking cute pumpkin patch pictures with your boyfriend? In a not-so-shocking reality, the answer is no. And neither are the people who are making you feel inferior.

2. Instagram is repetitive.

That same gym selfie, that same bikini picture, those people who only post with the same people. IT ALL LOOKS THE SAME. That's because society has ingrained in our minds what we are supposed to look like or do in order to "fit in." And that is not okay.

3. I was more productive.

I found myself not only being able to, but WANTING to exercise more, write more, and spend more time investing in relationships that had been shaded by an iPhone screen. Taking this time for myself helped me focus on what was actually important.

4. But most importantly, I felt better about myself.

I wasn't concerned about the likes or comments when there was no avenue to get them. I was focused on bettering myself instead of looking at the things that made me feel my worst. The primary reason I did this fasting was because my self-confidence was at an all-time low. And it happens to ALL of us.

Your worth is not dependent upon your social media accounts. Do not get your value from the number of likes or comments that your bikini pic received. You are worth so much more than how you feel when you get a flirty like from some stupid boy (PSA: He didn't like the picture because of your amazing personality).

So, 21 days may have not been enough to completely break my obsession with scrolling and scrolling, but it definitely did bring to light two VERY important things: 1. People make their lives look way better than they are, and 2. We cannot let our self-confidence be decided by pictures of other people.

You are worth so much more than what is on a screen. You are worth so much more than others' opinions about you. You are you and that you are absolutely BEAUTIFUL.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

19 Lessons I'll Never Forget from Growing Up In a Small Town

There have been many lessons learned.

Siena College
10642
houses under green sky
Photo by Alev Takil on Unsplash

Small towns certainly have their pros and cons. Many people who grow up in small towns find themselves counting the days until they get to escape their roots and plant new ones in bigger, "better" places. And that's fine. I'd be lying if I said I hadn't thought those same thoughts before too. We all have, but they say it's important to remember where you came from. When I think about where I come from, I can't help having an overwhelming feeling of gratitude for my roots. Being from a small town has taught me so many important lessons that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.

Keep Reading...Show less
small towns
Relationships

Grateful Beyond Words: A Letter to My Inspiration

I have never been so thankful to know you.

University of New Haven
285905
​a woman sitting at a table having a coffee
nappy.co

I can't say "thank you" enough to express how grateful I am for you coming into my life. You have made such a huge impact on my life. I would not be the person I am today without you and I know that you will keep inspiring me to become an even better version of myself.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

Smith College
86243
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
waitlisted
Swoon

Navigating the Talking Stage: 21 Essential Questions to Ask for Connection

It's mandatory to have these conversations.

National Writers Society
148978
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
single life
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

Marist College
52171
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less

Trending Topics

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments