How I started 2021 [no Instagram for a week]
At the beginning of 2021, I decided to challenge myself. I set an intention to try something new straight away. My goal was no Instagram for one week starting from January 2nd. It is one of the most fun times when people share their joy and show how they welcome the new year.
It is one thing not to check social media when you are working, and your mind is programmed to stay focused; it is another thing not to check social channels when your only plan is to have a good time with your loved ones, enjoying the magical atmosphere of love and acceptance.
So how did my challenge go? What have I learned? Continue reading and find out how I felt about all of it.
The journey
Curiosity torture
As soon as I set an intention not to check my Instagram, I felt an urge to see my friends’ stories. I was dying from curiosity, wondering how they were spending time. I was dying to see some holiday posts filled with positivity and holiday cheer.
My family and our guests watched movies every day, and IG stories are sort of like mini-movies filmed by people and brands we care about. And when the holiday season begins, movies are in the top 10 things to do on our entertainment list. So it can be hard to limit the dose of dopamine when your only goal is to have fun.
Feeling alone at times
I don’t know if it happened to you, but I know that occasionally it does happen to me. If I wake up at night, I might feel alone, and I want something to tell me that I am not. Frequently, Instagram performs the role of a thing that comforts me.
Instagram can make me feel more connected to the outside world. I can watch people tell their stories and show their daily moments of joy. It helps me feel better.
BUT I could not turn to Instagram during my challenge. Instead, I opened a blog by Gabby Bernstein that made me feel good, a blog where I could find the words I needed. It worked, and I went back to sleep happy.
Automatic movement
My fingers tapped the IG icon automatically multiple times throughout the challenge. All the times it happened, I realized I was about to break a rule, and I closed the app as quickly as possible.
Now I can tell that I am programmed to click the IG icon because my mind perceives it as a comfort zone button. My brain gets dopamine when my finger taps a familiar icon that leads me to the online world filled with amusing things and interesting people!
Suitable replacement
The space left from Instagram never remained empty. Never. I always wanted to fill it with something equally entertaining.
Facebook was also a forbidden service for me, but I’m not addicted to it anyway. What I was allowed to use were LinkedIn and messengers.
Texting via WhatsApp made me feel relief and a sort of excitement at the same time. I missed texting. Texting is a fun form of conversation that requires a minimum effort and produces endorphins when texts make us laugh.
Before going to sleep, I checked LinkedIn & YouTube instead of Instagram. In fact, I did not have a dopamine detox at all since I was always seeking a replacement and having a wonderful time with people I loved. I also played video games on my phone, not even mentioning offline activities: movie nights, winter walks, and festive dinners.
Fear of missing out
Loss aversion is a bias all human beings have. During my 7-days challenge, I was afraid to miss something sensational and not have conversations I could have had if I was online. Nevertheless, I was aware that I could always catch up with all the news and pictures. One week is a short period.
I miss you
At times, I missed watching even my own stories, and I went to my phone gallery to re-watch whatever I saved. It is shocking! I also missed seeing my profile made with love, and I missed seeing stories of people who gave me a feeling of hope and connected me to the parts of the world that I loved.
Some business-owners who I liked to follow meant something to me. I wanted to be a part of their IG life. Exactly! Their stories and posts were more than content for me, even though I realized with my marketing mindset that the people I truly appreciated crafted their content for the buyer personas they identified. If I didn’t somehow believe in the authenticity of their actions, it would break my heart. To be completely candid, I am in love with the human element of an Instagram machine.
On the 4th day of the Instagram diet, I started to get used to the idea that IG was not available. I entertained myself by reading some quality newsletters, LinkedIn, and a recently downloaded game. The evening time was still the most challenging time of the day, but thankfully I could use messengers and connect to some people there.
Conclusions and what I have come to realize
Benefits of not checking IG
- I started to come up with plans for the future and ideas
- I became more goal-oriented
- I started noticing the benefits of other apps.
What did I feel after the challenge was over?
- A sense of freedom. People usually expect you to like their pictures, see their stories, like the texts they send you. It feels great to live without aligning with everyone’s expectations for a while;
In a way, Instagram gives you some freedom and takes some of it away. On the one hand, you can do anything you like and let your creativity flow, and on the other hand, you have to follow some social media rules that are not necessary but welcomed;
- A sense of pride. I was proud that I did not open my favorite app for a week. Now I know I can do similar challenges in the future, and I will be successful;
- A sense of understanding. Now I understand people who don’t have an Instagram account. They connect with people in other ways, and they devote time to other things they find useful or enjoyable.
I don’t know about you, but I prefer to live with technology and with Instagram. I choose to depend on it less, but I’m still glad I can rely on it. It is a brilliant app that connects, inspires, encourages, and gives people opportunities.
