How do you feel after scrolling through social media? Does your time on the app leave you feeling happy and ready to take on the day? Conversely, does your time on the app lead to comparisons and negative thoughts about yourself? I have answered “yes” to both of these questions at one point or another, but I am working on creating a positive relationship with social media so I can leave my social apps, particularly Instagram, feeling happy more times than not.
Instagram certainly is a highlight reel. It is a social app where everyone posts photos of themselves looking their best and doing exciting things. It often lacks posts showing people’s normal lives. I have found this lack of reality can lead me to compare myself to the celebrities and models who have flawless bodies and who are achieving amazing things. Additionally, Instagram can be addicting as I scroll from Tik Tok to post to reel in a time-consuming cycle. On the flip side, there are certainly some positives to Instagram. Through the app, I have been able to meet new online friends. There are also plenty of positive and real posts out there; you just have to find them. Instagram can foster supportive online communities and give people the platform to express their ideas. This is what I think about the app, but what have I done about it? The following are tried and true tips I have implemented to improve my relationship with Instagram, and, if you have noticed similar things with your social media experience, I encourage you to give these recommendations a try. Set time limits: As previously mentioned, Instagram can be addicting. It is easy to find something interesting on the app and, then, before you know it, an hour has flown by. I set a one hour time limit on the app so I am aware of how much time I am spending on it. The time limit also helps me use my time on content I want to see, and not “waste” it mindlessly scrolling through posts. Follow accounts that make you feel good: Instagram is what you make of it. If you follow accounts that post motivational quotes, have people sharing insight into their real lives, and feature people who do not use photoshop, you are building a social media environment full of positivity and happiness. Seeing this type of content is sure to give you a better Instagram experience. Unfollow accounts that do not make you feel good: Likewise, unfollowing Instagram accounts that you do not like, regardless of how cool you think the person you are following is, makes your social media experience much more positive. If you are looking at posts that make you feel bad about yourself, you are bound to leave the app feeling sad. Understand that social media is not real life: Social media users pick and choose what content to post. Most things you see are filtered, at least to some extent, and are not completely raw. Try to stop comparing your life to the things you see on social media because social media and real life typically are two completely different things. What are your thoughts on social media? Do you love it, hate it, or a mix of both? Do you have any tricks that you use to create a more positive online environment? Let me know in the comments.
2 Comments
Zoe :)
3/2/2021 09:56:13 pm
I’ve felt really grateful for Instagram during the pandemic because I feel like it’s helped me start better connected with friends, but lately I’ve been trying to be more aware of my social media use and break the habit of opening up the app every time I unlock my phone, because I definitely don’t need to be on it all the time!
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Real and Relatable (Madeleine)
3/2/2021 10:10:20 pm
I completely agree about social media helping us stay connected! It's a really neat way to see what people are up to, especially friends that live far away or that I do not talk to often. Also, I have noticed that I tend to do the same thing - opening up Instagram whenever I turn on my phone. I'm definitely trying to be more aware of that.
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AuthorLover of adventures, traveling, family time, fashion, soccer, writing, and more, Madeleine is giving you all the real and relatable content you have been looking for. Archives
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