Like many of us, I have been on Instagram for years and see both the benefits and positives of the app – yes, it’s a powerful platform for connecting with others and sharing experiences. However, recently, I’ve felt the need to reassess my relationship with social media, prompting me to embark on a month-long journey to (try to) quit Instagram.
I decided this challenge would run from November 1 to December 1. I knew this month would pose a challenge, since Thanksgiving Break would be a full week where Instagram would be very appealing.
Regardless, I trudged onwards. First, I had to block Instagram from being used on both my phone and my laptop. My phone was easy; I simply deleted the app. My laptop, where I do a significant amount of ‘Gram checking, needed a different approach.
I’ve used the app SelfControl before, which is free for Macbook. If you have a different laptop, take a look at this article to find an app that works for you. If you don’t trust yourself, there are also more concrete ways to block it from re-installation from your phone for a set period of time.
The app will show up on the Mac launchpad. See below.
You can add any website to the blocklist. I set the timer for 31 days, a.k.a. 744 long, long hours. This is how it looked upon set-up. Very scary.
When the website is blocked and you try to visit it anyways, this is what will show up. No getting past this! You also can’t undo the timer from SelfControl. Good luck with that.
Like many of you, I suffer a moderate addiction to checking an app that (mostly) does not do anything for me. The positives I do see in Instagram are (1) being able to post stories and (2) checking club events happening on campus, which are often not posted on Anchorlink.
This was a month to see if getting off the Gram’ would benefit my mental health and free my mind for other, more important things.
11/1
11pm: Doing my weekly scrolling of the Hustler, I wanted to share Chloe Whalen’s article on how to destress on my story. I get my phone only to realize I have no Instagram app. It’s going to take some time to adjust.
(If you haven’t read her piece on cornfields, you’re missing out.)
11/3
4pm: I’ve been at Central since 10am this morning. While I haven’t done as many assignments as I wanted to, I didn’t get any urge to go on Instagram! Until I thought about it now.
Has it already begun to get easier to stay off the ‘gram?
11/5
10:45am: In bed on Sunday morning, I forgo the usual habit of checking Instagram, which I usually feel quite icky about anyway since it’s not a great way to start the day. Instead I check my news email. As thrilling? No. But did it make me stop using my phone quicker? Yes.
3pm: I need to check a club and if they’re still holding meetings, but alas, Anchorlink is not answering my questions. I can’t check Instagram. Many clubs only use Instagram to publicize events, leading to more of its necessity. I end up emailing the President :0
11:48pm: I was about to leave Commons after an hour working on climate studies. Like I do when I feel bored on my laptop, I go to check Instagram. When I realize I can’t, I head back to Hank. I’m probably shaving about 20 minutes off my procrastination.
11/8
12:04am: I really, really, really want to check Instagram right now but can’t. I have so much work to do, too. I guess I should get started on that.
4:23pm: I need to check when a club’s next meeting is for my anthropology project, and they also don’t list any upcoming meetings on Anchorlink. I email the club president instead, fully knowing that Instagram would easily answer my question. Luckily I receive a reply quickly. C’mon, Anchorlink.
11/11
Today I start to legitimately consider re-downloading the app, just admit the regression, and move on. After 2 days of a debate tournament, I thought I deserved to check the app. I spend 20 minutes texting my friend and move on, going to bed at 2 am.
Do you use Instagram as a reward too, for when you’ve just accomplished something or had a busy day?
Read more about the psychology of social media here.
11/17
Okay, you can all say you told me so, because I redownloaded it. My flight home was yesterday, and I am bored. Do I have things to do for school? Yes. Do I feel justified to redownload it on this Friday? Also yes.
Over the break, I spent a significant amount of time on Instagram. I didn’t quantify it, but it wasn’t great. Opening Instagram to post a quick story leads to an enormous amount of time on the app because of addicting aspects of the app.
My mood didn’t improve much either, as we can expect. I liked being on the app again, but I also felt so blatantly addicted that I don’t look back on my week of using it very fondly.
11/25
It’s the Saturday before we’re back to classes. I delete it, promising to not use it again until the end of the challenge on December 1. I’m successful on this promise, at least.
12/1
It’s done. It’s over.
I rejoice in the challenge being over and somehow, still download the app again. My attempt to break free from Instagram for 1 month taught me many, mostly negative, things about social media use. Usually, a naive opening of the app to “check it quickly” or post a story leads to falling down the rabbit hole. Is it worth it? Or should we instead be more interested in what’s actually in front of us, like these beautiful scenes on campus?
That’s for you to ask yourself.
Until next time… peace!