Is Life Better Without Instagram? My Honest Thoughts After 3.5 Months

It’s officially been 3 and a half months since I left Instagram and it wasn’t because I think social media is evil.

In fact, I work in digital marketing. I know firsthand how valuable social platforms can be for small businesses, building community, and helping creators thrive (especially in rural areas). Instagram can be a powerful tool. But even good tools can overstay their welcome.

This post isn’t an anti-social media rant. It’s just a check-in. A boundary check. A little look at what happened when I stepped away from the app that once consumed so much of my day.

Table of Contents

Why I Left Instagram in the First Place

My relationship with Instagram had been unraveling for years. I found myself constantly comparing, endlessly scrolling, and feeling pressure to post every joyful moment. The introduction of features like Reels didn’t help. It made me feel like I had to keep up with trends I had no desire to participate in.

I didn’t want to learn video editing. I didn’t want to “optimize” my life for a feed. I just wanted it to be fun again, and it wasn’t. It felt heavy. Anxious. Exhausting. I’d log in and instantly feel like I was behind or not doing enough. The time I spent on Instagram left me feeling a sense of … doom, and it was never fulfilling.

On top of that, the constant flood of news (sometimes unverified and always overwhelming) sent me into spirals of research and doomscrolling. I needed a clean break. I deleted the app completely. I just wanted my time back. I wanted to feel my own little accomplishments without sharing them all the time. I didn’t want or need anyone’s approval but my own.

The First Few Weeks

The first two weeks felt like relief. I wasn’t constantly bombarded with anxiety-inducing news or influenced to buy things I didn’t need. (Fun fact: I haven’t bought a single new clothing item in 3.5 months—it’s been all secondhand, and I’m still on track for a low-buy year!)

But I was surprised by how often I instinctively tapped the empty Instagram shortcut on my home screen. I must’ve done it 30 times the first day. That realization was painful and became clear this was more than a habit. It was dependency, and I knew it was unhealthy.

That said, my week was filled to the brim without the app. I got things done. I started a garden. I began working out again, nearly every day. I cooked from scratch, learned about herbalism, and tracked my books on Notion and StoryGraph. I thought I’d feel lonely… but my days filled up quickly.

Shifts I’ve Noticed After 3.5 Months

The biggest shifts I’ve seen are:

More mental clarity: Even with ADHD, I’m able to focus more and procrastinate less. The fog is gone. I walk around with a clear sight, an open heart, and mind.
Deeper Offline Connections: I talk to friends more (on the phone!) and send voice notes. We FaceTime, and I get to see babies and besties in real-time. It’s been surprisingly grounding.
Creativity Boost: I haven’t sewn or knit much lately, but I’ve been reading and building systems in Notions, and I have a full TBR list with a constant flow of books running through my house.
Better Boundaries: The urge to post is gone. I love having privacy back. It’s really nice to live a life that doesn’t *need* to be curated for a feed.
Time Reclaimed: Beyond hobbies, my sleep skyrocketed. No more obsessing over posts, edits, or overanalyzing captions. My brain finally has space to just… be.

What I Miss (And What I Don’t)

The only thing I miss is the communication between friends that I don’t see regularly. I have college friends, old coworkers from my time at Disney, and people I met while living in Virginia. I miss those connections and would like to strengthen those relationships, outside of social media.

I also miss a few favorite creators, but many have blogs or newsletters I now follow instead. And oddly enough, I’ve made new internet friends. Real connections through email or blog comments. It’s felt way more personal.

But I don’t miss the scrolling. I don’t miss the performance. And I definitely don’t miss trying to decode an algorithm built to keep me confused.

Will I Go Back?

I will… but I’m not ready yet.

When I do, it’ll be on a completely different level. Maybe one post a month. No pressure. Right now, I’m still on Threads, and even there I’ve had to unfollow or mute anything that feels draining. I just want my feed to be about books.

Even though books are deeply political, especially right now with the US president targeting the Library of Congress, I just want good cozy, romantic, and adventurous novels on my feed. Is that too much to ask?

Again, I’m so happy without Instagram right now.

Is my life better without Instagram? It is. It really is. The cons far outweigh the pros for me right now.

So, if you’ve been tempted or if it’s been on your mind for quite some time, give it a try. You don’t have to take a break for as many months as I have but it’s always good to start with a week to see how you’re mental health is doing.

If you’d like to connect with me I have a newsletter! I also love and appreciate blog comments, but I mostly love email. Feel free to reach out and let me know how your social media hiatus is!