Summary

The article discusses the author's personal journey with overcoming the fear of missing out (FOMO) by conducting an Instagram detox, which led to a healthier relationship with social media and a more fulfilling life offline.

Abstract

The author begins by recounting the struggle of resisting the urge to check their phone while studying, highlighting the compulsive nature of social media notifications. The turning point comes when the author discovers the 'Your Activity' feature on Instagram, revealing an average daily usage of four hours. This revelation prompts a decision to undergo an Instagram detox, despite initial doubts about staying connected with friends and the fear of missing out on their lives. The article delves into the concept of FOMO, describing it as a social anxiety that has been exacerbated by social media, where people often compare their lives to the curated highlight reels of others. The author then offers strategies for dealing with these feelings, including practicing gratitude, limiting social media use, focusing on meaningful experiences, and being mindful of the present. After deleting the Instagram app, the author experiences withdrawal but eventually finds joy in reading and being more present in life. The detox results in a significant decrease in social media usage and a newfound appreciation for real-life experiences, leading to a conclusion that life's true value lies in offline moments.

Opinions

The author acknowledges a personal struggle with phone notifications and the compulsion to check social media frequently.

Overcoming The Fear of Missing Out

An Instagram Detox changed the way I viewed Social Media

While I am studying for an upcoming exam, from the corner of my eye, I see the blue notification light flickering. A sudden need to check my phone fills my mind.

“No. After an hour” I tell myself.

In the next few minutes, I find my mind wandering off to my phone. The urge to check it is so strong that I finally give in. I get back to studying again after deciding not to touch my phone again.

Another notification light.

Another few minutes of me fighting the urge to check it.

This is me and so many of us. Always attached to our phones. Not going more than 15–20 minutes without checking it. That little rush when we see the flickering light making us want to take a peek even in the middle of doing something important. Sometimes even while driving.

I enjoy communication. I have my phone around me at all times. And I am a quick replier. (So if you think I am ignoring you, yes I am). I don’t like seeing too many unread notifications. (To the people who ignore their overflowing notification bar- How do you do it!?)

One day while scrolling through my Instagram explore page, I came across a post about an Instagram feature called ‘Your Activity’, which shows the average amount of time spent on the app each day over the last seven days.

Out of curiosity, I went to check mine.

Almost four hours. What!?

It never felt like I was spending so much time on Insta but 4 hours?

What was I gaining during these 4 hours? I didn’t know.

An Instagram Detox!

Yes, that’s what I needed to do to break or at least control my addiction to the Gram. But my mind was still in doubt. I was most active on Instagram. That was my go-to app to keep in touch with friends. Sharing memes was a part of my everyday life. Would I be able to do it? How will I know what my friends are up to if I cannot see their stories?

Yes, Instagram wasn’t the only way I had to connect with my friends, but it was the one I spent most of my time on.

Making the decision before my mind could convince me otherwise, I deleted the app from my phone.

Do you experience a fear of missing out?

The Fear of Missing Out (or FOMO as we cool kids like to call it) is social anxiety stemming from the belief that others might be having fun while we are not present. The uneasy feeling that you are missing out.

This is real and common among young adults. We worry that exciting experiences are passing us by, and others are living better, more fulfilling lives than us. This is not a new concept. Everyone feels this way at some point. But with the social media age, things have gotten worse.

Suddenly, we are watching the highlight reel of everyone’s life. Their best life, their grand adventures, and beautiful photographs in different parts of the world. And we end up wondering why our life is so boring.

We know that these are only a part of them. But we still can’t help ourselves from being a little envious. Social Media is bombarding us with images of everything we are missing.

This is why the pre-social media period was so much simpler. Our parents weren't obsessing over a stranger’s life because they had no way of knowing. They didn’t compare their every day to someone else’s best day. They were busy living.

Social Media has given us all a platform to show off.

How can we deal with these feelings?

The first step would be to practice gratitude. Instead of focusing on what others have that you lack, focus on all the things you have! And be thankful for them.
Limiting or restricting social media usage to specific times.
Direct your energy towards people and experiences that enrich your life.
Understand that you are not missing out on anything. Life online is an illusion most of the time.
Accept that you cannot have it all. Trying to fulfill all your desires is a futile task. Focus on your needs and give attention to those that hold meaning to you.
Practice mindfulness. Rather than chase after an illusion of happiness, strive to cultivate deeper satisfaction in life by being more mindful of the present moment.
Enjoy the process. Take pleasure in all those little experiences that make life wonderful.

The first few hours after my spontaneous decision, I felt empty. Like something was missing. A feeling of detachment from the outside world.

Suddenly I had nothing to do. I kept reaching for my phone unconsciously before I remembered that I had no scrolling to do. My home screen looked incomplete without that colorful icon on the corner.

After a tough first day, I was regretting my decision. By now, my close friends had noticed my absence. Answering everyone’s WhatsApp messages got me more frustrated.

Finally, in an attempt to find something else to do, I downloaded Amazon Kindle and proceeded to buy a few books I had always wanted to read but never got the time to(because I was busy scrolling).

Over the next ten days, I finished reading two books.

Yes, I did wonder if I should take a peek into my Instagram account for a few seconds. Just to see what’s going on. But I didn’t.

Without the constant distractions of notifications and going down the social media black hole, I had so much time for other things. Things I kept putting off while going through stranger’s lives. Four hours doesn’t seem like a lot but it is.

Without my mind wondering about the next notification all the time, I was able to be much more present with whatever I was doing.

Towards the end of my self imposed restriction, I spend a day out with my cousins at the beach. The place was beautiful and Insta-worthy. But I had no stories to upload.

I did take a lot of pictures. But for the memories not to upload it and let the world know I was having a fun time.

Do I use Instagram now? Yes, I do. But the amount of time I spend on it has decreased quite a bit.

I no longer feel the need to check or reply to my notifications immediately. Unfollowing many accounts of strangers has also made things better. My energy is instead directed towards people who add value to my life.

Life happens offline not online.

While watching the breath-taking sunset that day on the beach with my family, I felt happy. I was wholly present at that moment. A moment that belonged only to me.