Once upon a time, social media was just a place for people to express themselves and share information. Don’t get me wrong, though, many of us still can achieve this. However, at a certain point in time, social media turned from not just a place of expression, but to a source of false images and deceit.

This deceit we are constantly exposed to, in addition to the precious time we waste staring at a screen, then spirals into something that totally alters our perception of reality. That being said, the jealousy we subsequently feel, is 100% unjust because half the stuff that some people post could be completely inaccurate and misleading to what their life truly entails. However, social media has taught us this: to automatically assume that what we perceive from someone’s post on social media is the exact reality in which they live. Yet, this is just simply not the case.

Let us take Instagram for example. There are times where we may find ourselves scrolling through and we don’t even look at what we are liking, nevermind who posted it. And for those that we do look at, we may spend that time not enjoying the photo, but rather growing a deeper insecurity for ourselves because what we are doing in that moment, as we stare at our tiny screens, is not as great as what that other person is doing.

For all we know, that person could, in reality, be facing some difficulties and this platform is just a façade making others think their life is this “perfect life” we all dream of having. In return, and regardless of this actuality, we create our own façade, attempting to trick those people into thinking that our lives too are “perfect”; Because we would just hate for anyone to believe otherwise. Right? Because of this, we begin to lie to ourselves, creating a certain kind of “happiness” that in the end becomes toxic.

There are, on the other hand, people out there that don’t let others influence their own lives through social media which is totally respectable.

Unfortunately, there are some that are truly affected. According to The Royal Society for Public Health (RSPH), “social media is linked with increased rates of anxiety, depression and poor sleep”. My thoughts on this? I am not shocked. Not to mention, in its recent study, RSPH refers to “compare and despair”, a phrase demonstrating that social media constantly places these expectations on us that are absolutely impractical and unrealistic, making any person feel like what they do and what they look like is insufficient.

There’s no wonder that in over the past 25 years, anxiety and depression rates in young people have increased by 70%. Plus, you would think that coming across posts like workout routines titled “Bikini Body”, would make individuals feel inadequate, considering it suggests that some of us don’t have the body to pull off our favorite bathing suit. Talk about insecurity and self-doubt.

Overall, the platforms that were originally created to inspire, form relationships, and ultimately share information are now becoming a contribution to mental health issues. It has to come to an end.

About a week ago, and after realizing I had been using Instagram with the wrong intention, I challenged myself to delete it for a week. While some of you may think this is no big deal, the rest of you might be thinking “Why?” or “How on earth did you do that?” I began this with the intention of coming to terms with myself and eliminating something that can bring negativity and insecurity to my life.

Once I had completed a week without the app, I had come to the single conclusion that the only reason I use this app is to aimlessly scroll through photos that, in reality, I’m not even fully paying attention to. However, when I am consciously browsing through photos, and looking through the feed of celebrities, models, or influencers for example, I sometimes find myself thinking negatively about my own image and forget about what is really important; That is, being grateful for what I do have, rather than wishing for things I don’t.

The reality is that while each and every one of us looks and thinks differently, we do in fact have one similarity which is that we are all human. Instead of using social media to support each other and help each other reach our fullest potential, we are letting it create an unhealthy addiction that only leads to growing insecurities, mistrust, and misunderstanding.

Many of us by now, I am hoping, are aware of this problem that our society holds today. Yet, hardly anyone seems to be doing anything about it. Having said that, the next time you find yourself on any form of social media, ask yourself if how you are using it is truly purposeful or not. Is the way you are using it toxic to your well being or happiness? Are you using it the way it was meant to be used?

Prioritize your time on social media. Instead of letting a screen turn the way you think about yourself into something that is detrimental to your mental health, take control and adjust your purpose to something that is more productive and beneficial.

Social media was made for us to connect with and learn from eachother, which is what we should be doing. The amount of time we spend using it, however, is debatable. And for all of you that did, in fact, wonder how anyone could live a week without Instagram, let me just say: my point exactly.