So I took the month of September off Instagram.
And as you might expect, I have thoughts.
What I loved about it: the extra time.
NOT being “caught up” with everything.
Not being able to procrastinate
What I missed about it: sharing little things like “it’s Libra season.” Or the little day-to-day happenings.
Being able to procrastinate, ha.
***
Taking the month of September off Instagram taught me (or really, it re-showed me, as any break does) that you can do this anytime. It is literally as simple as saying “I am going,” and then ... going. I left my email address - and got one email. The “big missing” I thought would happen did not. People moved on, lived their lives, did their scrolling without me, and were fine.. Lol and I was still me, too. And I was still funny, warm, grounded, caring - all the things I’d come to rely on Instagram to give me feedback on.
I did check in the browser once a week or so for messages, and got a few. I had a boudoir shoot done and posted my sneak peeks (and have So Many Thoughts on that to share in an upcoming post!).
When I had a cute lipstick or outfit or something I’d normally share in my stories, I texted a few friends instead.
I went to bed and turned my phone on bedtime mode at 10 and read and snuggled with my kitty.
I learned that I do love Instagram but I also REALLY love a break from Instagram. I love having *boundaries* with Instagram. It’s like a friendship or any relationship that benefits greatly from strong rules in place. It’s good the old way, but better this way. So for now I’m going to keep this good thing going. I’m going to be off the month of October too.
The time I’ve not been spending on the app (and the extra space in my mental energy) has allowed me to think somewhat about where I’m going in my life. My career. As a Cape Bretoner and as a mom and as a human alive on Earth as the climate crisis worsens. We don’t have much time left to take advantage of the world as we know it, the world cheap fossil fuels has allowed. To set up alternative ways to be, before the climate crisis forces us to.
I’ve been mulling a lot what I can do to help that isn’t just sharing posts on social media. Although you know I love a good post share… But I don’t want that to be ALL I do, you know? And I don’t want that for any of you either. I want to figure out and then actually DO things I can change, and ways we all can change.
But this is heavy stuff to face and I need to balance it out with rest and time spent alone, or with my family, and not scrolling *nearly* as much.
What’s the trade-off? Am I less in tune with what’s going on on the world, on my community?
Maybe, but also I don’t think so. I’ve been more active on Facebook, partly because of my work, but also in the Buy Nothing group I admin for my area. And partly just to connect with people on there, family and friends. I’ve been listening to CBC Radio more, maybe because I’m less stimulated by news and information from Instagram. I’ve been listening to podcasts more (specifically A Beautiful Mess’s archives, and Mara Glatzel’s Needy, and Layla Saad’s A Good Ancestor). I’ve been out talking to my neighbours, maybe not more but definitely more appreciated.
I’ve been working (extremely slowly) on a novel.
I’ve been reclaiming my time.
***
Its important to remember that it’s ok to change. It’s ok to have gone through an Instagram phase and then be going through a non-Instagram phase.
I also think it’s interesting too that this phase is coinciding with me being single again and NOT looking. When I broke up with my boyfriend of one year, in June, I jumped on Tinder almost right away, mainly for some casual fun, but also to explore my newly claimed bisexuality and to date women as well as men. And it was great! I met awesome people, learned a lot about myself. But it was BUSY and a lot of work and energy too. So currently I’m not looking, for a relationship, or for new partners. I’m casually dating a few folks I met. But mainly I’m focusing on me, on my son, on my friends and my close family. On my home. On my goals. And it feels damn incredible.
***
So what’s the wrap-up? Just that for now, this is what works, for me. We’re all different. It’s cool if you’re totally into Instagram right now, or a different platform. Maybe one day soon I’ll be back at the level I used it before. Maybe not. We’ll see.
I’d love to hear from you, though. :) I do miss the connections.