I Quit Instagram for 6 months. Here What’s Happened

I remember when I first downloaded Instagram.

The year was 2018.

I wasn’t using my phone so much at the time. Everything changed when my friend showed me this new app with a colorful icon.

Instagram.

I got home and downloaded it. Posted 2 photos. Notifications started popping up:

• New Follower
• Like
• Comment

I found my friends here, celebrities…

It rapidly became an addiction.

For the next 5 years, I started constantly using it every single day. I knew I wasting time on this app, but I was still using it.

I tried to delete it a couple of times.

Then, came that day.

October 2023.

I checked my screen time. Instagram — 3hours/day.

I said to myself : enough. I deleted the app and didn’t dowloaded since then.

I knew it would change my life in some ways. It did and I was surprised with the results .

My Anxiety levels Dropped Drastically

When I had Instagram my anxiety level was at its peak.

I posted on Instagram because I needed people to give me feedback on my life.

Every like confirmed — “I’m on the right track”.

But when I wasn’t getting the wanted attention pushed me to negative self-talk.

I Became Smarter

Human focus is decreasing each year. It has been found that a human’s capacity to focus is lower than that of a goldfish.

Before I left instagram it was hard to focus for more than 10 minutes. I wanted to scroll and check some reels.

I wasn’t able to read, study, etc…

Even if I wanted to be productive I couldn’t because Instagram was killing my productivity.

Leaving it made a lot of space in my life. I found out I can be productive and do things.

I started reading more and found out I had hobbies.

I get back to my focus level. I’m not a goldfish anymore haha

I Lost Some Friends

I thought I had a lot of “friends”.

When I left Instagram a major part of my “friends” didn’t even try to contact me anywhere else.

Even if I warned them I not gonna be on the app now.

That said. My inner circle got stronger.

I built real relationships with people instead of relationships based on exchanging likes, comments, and reels…

So deleting the app helped me understand who my real friends I can count on.

I get that I was simply wasting time interacting with people who don’t care about me.

I discovered a new hobby

When I quit Instagram a gap appeared in my life.

I had to fill it with some occupations. Looking for what to do, I found Medium. I can tell, that day changed my life.

Now I love writing and it has become my favourite hobby. Sharing thoughts with the world, writing a new story.

I don’t know.

Just love it. What about you?

I don’t buy stupid things from my feed

We all know that Instagram is powered by showing ads. It had caused me to spend far more money than I would have without it.

I bought clothes and useless gadgets I saw on my feed.

Instagram made me think I needed them. Their smart-designed algorithms present products most enticing to you by tracking your online activity.

So you can’t resist buying…

Without the constant exposure to ads, I can now buy things I need instead of buying things just for instant gratification.

Leaving Instagram was the right choice because the platform toxicity started to outweigh the benefits.

I hope my story will help you to get rid of this app or at least reduce its use.

I know it’s not simple (I tried many times as said before, but believe me. It’ ‘worth it.)

How can I help you?

• Join my Newsletter (for a free writing course.) It has grown by 10000% in the last month)
• Follow my Medium Account (To get valuable information)