Instagram had always been my favorite social media outlet. Being a visual person, I loved being able to construct my profile in a way that I found pleasing. Likewise, having the opportunity to see snapshots of other people's lives - even those who I've never met, or who live on the other side of the world - is equally thrilling. The app is an excellent way for friends to stay in touch, and for new ones to form, as all forms of social media are. That is, if it is used in a healthy way.
More so than Facebook, Twitter, or other platforms, Instagram paints a very specific picture of a person's life, so to speak. It seems that often, we're more willing to write in text about unpleasing parts of life than we're able to show them. This leads to most Instagram profiles representing only positive occurrences and events. After all, who wants to see a picture that truly represents a bad or ugly moment? Perhaps an experienced photographer could capture an unattractive circumstance in a way that's still aesthetically acceptable, but most people are not professionals. Were I to post an accurate image of life as it often is, it'd probably be blurry, quite boring, and poorly lit.
When you scroll through Instagram, you see happy, smiling faces, beautiful scenery, and captivating visuals. Even knowing that there's more going on in these people's lives than what you're seeing online, it's easy to think: look at how amazing things are for them. Why can't my life be more like that?
Don't get me wrong: Instagram on more than one occasion has introduced me to new people, made me laugh, or inspired me to act in some way. But on the whole, I found that I was spending more time than necessary on an app that was using up my energy and causing me to feel less than content with myself.
To see people with an incomprehensible number of followers - thousands, or even millions - makes you think you could be doing something differently, or better. Followers, to me, often equated to how many people care about you, or liked you enough to want to see your material on a regular basis. "Likes" almost felt like hellos, compliments, or friendly gestures - but only superficial shadows of the real thing. Social media becomes a problem when these online interactions start to replace the gratification that comes with true socializing.
I started taking pictures based on whether or not I thought they would be "instagram-worthy," or worthy of other people's attention. I allowed the standard of what is considered pleasing or beautiful to dictate how I set up a photo. Over time, I started doubting my photography skills, and eventually lost my passion for it. It was only after I withdrew from the Instagram realm that I remembered the reasons that I enjoyed taking photos in the first place.
There's nothing wrong with using Instagram. However, if you are an avid Instagramer, I encourage you to look at why you use the app. If you're anything like me, you might benefit from an extended hiatus - or even deleting your account. Remember that the purpose of social media is to enhance your life. If it's not, there's certainly no harm in excusing yourself from it. I'd argue that often what we need to connect, is to disconnect.
