I Left Instagram. Here's Why and Why I Don't Regret A Thing
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Lifestyle

I Don't Regret Saying Goodbye To My Instagram

Florida Georgia Line puts it straight up – "We used to live on Instagram. Worry 'bout who all gives a damn" (Song: Simple). I decided to end this trend in my life.

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I Don't Regret Saying Goodbye To My Instagram
Pixabay

About three weeks ago I gave up my Instagram. After many months, maybe even years of thought I finally decided to agree to the terms that I would never see my account again. I would no longer be able to relish in the number of likes I got, the comments with eye-hearted emojis galore, or the über-fit, photoshopped models in the latest and greatest gym gear.

Why I deleted it? Oh! So many reasons.

1. It wasn’t the usual for me. 

I was never your typical heavy phone user. Most oftentimes I studied the inside of my eyelids more than my home button. I even remember coming home to Mom in high school complaining about why my friends couldn't seem to get rid of the blue glow of the phone on their faces during our weekly movie nights. All of our friends were there – what the hell could they be looking at? This continues even today, at least for the most part. Online dating…not for me. Too bad it's the world we live in.

2. I practically began eating lunch with my phone. 

From personal experience, I can say that college students are pretty busy. If it's not the weekend, it's unusual for you to be having fun with friends unless you're accidentally playing footsies underneath the library table at midnight. Classes don't match up, meaning lunchtimes don't match up. It's not high school anymore, folks! While taking courses over the summer, I would sit outside and be plastered to my phone screen, so much so that I would practically miss shoving my $8.00 sandwich into my mouth. The nerve! I lost friends and lost opportunities to make new ones.

3. Mom once told me jealousy is your worst enemy.

And she wasn't wrong. People that I didn't even care about were now unrelenting from disappearing from my search screen on Instagram. Each time I hit that magnifying glass icon I was reminded of feelings that made me feel worse about myself than I already did. Now, why would I want to do that? It still beats me to this day, but, nevertheless, I didn't stop and knew I wasn't going to unless I took the next step.

Buh-bye, Instagram. And with just one tap, it was gone.

Am I happy it's gone? Oh! So happy! What's different now?

1. I actually interact with real people. 

That's right, kids. Face-to-face! My in-person conversations have so much more meaning to me now that I know it's basically all I have. And that's the way it should be! Sure, it might take me more time or more effort to get in contact with friends, aka share hilarious memes and videos, but it's so worth it. Not only am I able to better remember that shared laugh, but I'm also able to see it. For my friends that snort while they laugh, they might not be too excited about this, but hey! It adds even more to my enjoyment!

2. I’m satisfied with photos of memories.

Before, Instagram seemed to be a platform where a picture I was happy with would be degraded in my mind through few likes, no comments, and seemingly identical images uploaded on more popular accounts. Now, I can sincerely relish the memories I have as I scroll through my Photos as I wait for my professors to start class. I no longer associate pictures with bad feelings or hit that delete button because of the feedback, or lack thereof, that I've received.

3. I also was able to say goodbye to all of those that hurt me in my past.

I no longer have access to the blocked list of my Instagram account that hosts the names of my exes I still hold close. I can't even see the new hottie that's shown half-naked in a bikini on the stories of the guys I used to call my "friends." I started to realize that all of those people were out of my real life for a reason – they served me no positive purpose. Call it selfish if you want. I won't deny. But if it helps me to be happier, healthier, and more successful, I'm going to do it.

All in all, I'm overjoyed that I decided to delete my account. Even Mom said a sweet "thank you" as she stood in my doorway while I was at home. If you've debated it for a long time, do it! The worst that'll happen if you miss it so much is that you'll make a new account. Personally, I don't see myself ever being there.

So, what should I delete next?

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
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