Social media can be overwhelming and joyful – the trick is learning when to step away for your own wellbeing. That’s easier said than done and has taken me a while to realise that I don’t have to post every day, I’m not required to follow everyone I’ve met in passing, and I certainly don’t have to justify why I’m taking a break.
I read this quote recently: “It’s Okay to disappear until you feel like you again,” and it certainly resonated with me when it comes to social media. I’ve had a love-hate relationship with social media, I’ve always loved the community aspects and the creativity, but I hate the comparisons, the chasing likes and followers, as well as the dissection of analytics, constantly moaning about the algorithm and adverts.
The pandemic did make me realise that if I don’t want to post on Instagram then I don’t need to. Yes, Instagram probably wants me to post daily on my feed, along with numerous story updates and a couple of reels a week. For me, this is just so unrealistic, and you know what, I’m finally fine with saying that’s okay.
I think the most important thing you can do for your own wellbeing is to “do you” and everyone has to find their own rhythm and balance. Forget all the Instagram guides, which mainly focus on over-extending yourself for followers and likes, instead, figure out what you want to do, how much time do you have actually have, and importantly, whether you actually want to do it.
The last year I think we have all realised how precious life is, and for me, I don’t want to spend it doing things that don’t bring me joy. Yes, social media can enhance lives, but it can also add unneeded stress, and that’s when stepping away, taking a little social media detox, adjusting who you follow, and how often you post can really help put things into perspective and make it all more manageable.
Limit mobile phone use in the evenings
For several years, I’ve been limiting my mobile phone use after dinner, it started when I decided to embrace a new unplug philosophy ‘scrolling less, living more‘. Initially, it was just on Friday nights and then when the first lockdown hit, and the constant and unnecessary doomscrolling started, I decided to place my mobile on charge in my office after eating and then forgetting it until morning.
Try it one day a week, and then a couple of days a week. You will be amazed by how little you actually miss and how much better your mental health is. You will find you can actually engage with friends and family, watch a whole TV show or film without scrolling out of habit, and sleep better. A relatively small change but something that has really helped me so much.
If you still enjoy using social media in the evenings and don’t want to go cold turkey, why not instead turn off your mobile an hour before bed to help you sleep and switch off.
Set yourself social media boundaries
What is it about social media that you enjoy? Just jot them down, now, what don’t you like? This will be the starting point of setting your own social media boundaries. Maybe it is deleting a certain app, I don’t have Facebook on my mobile and rarely log in on my computer, as it just doesn’t interest me. Anyone who I was really friends with on there can send me a WhatsApp or call me. But maybe for you, it might be Twitter, I know a few friends who only access Twitter via desktop, generally during working hours as that stops them from getting consumed by it.
When it comes to my Instagram usage, I try to limit myself to a tea break in the morning and before dinner, around the time I usually post. I don’t time myself, I think that might be a little extreme, but I’m also aware that I don’t want to waste my time. I’ve also discovered that too much scrolling actually affects my mood negatively. If I feel I’m picking up my phone too much I try and prioritise some self-care activities, like reading a magazine, popping out into the garden or heading out on a walk.
Also, consider turning off all notifications. I did that very early on, as seriously someone sending your a DM isn’t urgent, and you don’t need to see all the likes coming through. I also think turning hiding likes on Instagram is a good idea, you can do this on your own images, as well as how you view others.
How to hide likes on Instagram
To hide the like count on a new image, tap the “advanced settings” box on the bottom of the final editing screen, then switch on “hide like and view counts on this post”. Once you’ve posted the photo, no one will see how many likes it gets.
On an existing piccie, simply tap the three-dot icon in the upper-right corner of a photo, then select “hide like count”. Sadly, there is no way to hide likes and views for all of your posts by default which is a little annoying.
To choose not to see like counts on other people’s posts, just go to your settings, click privacy and then under interactions hit posts then, hit the toggle next to ‘Hide Like and View Counts’.
I haven’t seen likes for a few weeks and it really does stop me from worrying about how many likes everyone’s getting compared to me, and in turn, has made me want to post more.
Purge who you follow
I’m a big believer in purging accounts that don’t make me feel good or I find myself comparing my life too, after all, social media should be fun, and if scrolling is causing feelings of stress and anxiety then you need to address who you are following. This was one of the main factors why I started my new Instagram account – @ASlowCountryLife – I wanted a fresh start to follow accounts that actually added worth, rather than ones that made me feel bad about myself.
Have you taken a break from social media?
