What Happened When I Took a Year Away From Instagram

A year ago, Instagram, for me, wasn’t a healthy place. I would have extreme anxiety logging in, and yet I couldn’t tear myself away. I was anxious over everything: when someone sent me a video, when I was tagged, posting a story, seeing people shine on the app, watching everyone trying to “make it big” or become an influencer. But above all, I had the hardest time posting on my feed. The overthinking and stress about what people would think of me, judging me, and comparing themselves to me (just as I compared myself to everyone else) was just too much. After two full months of verbally saying, “I think I want an IG break,” I finally bit the bullet last February.

And, guys? It was the best thing that ever happened to me.

Table of Contents

What Happened When I Took a Year Away From Instagram

What I Started Noticing Without Instagram

The second I deleted the app from my phone, my entire body took the biggest sigh of relief. I didn’t realize I had been walking around with my shoulders up to my ears every day. I felt an immediate release of stress and anxiety. However, the second thing I noticed was a little startling.

Every time I opened my phone, I tried to click on the app. EVERY. SINGLE. TIME.

I must have tapped on the app roughly 20 times just on day one, and I had to have a real heart-to-heart with myself about it. Am I addicted to social media? Is that all I’m living for? What in the world am I doing on this app every single second I’m bored? Am I bored, or is it just consuming my life?

It took about two weeks to kick the habit. And here’s the good part – my entire life changed for the better.

My relationship with my Mom became more important
There was no one to compare myself to, and I felt completely free to express myself wholeheartedly
My wardrobe changed because I was finally who I wanted to be naturally
I worked on all of my favorite hobbies happily and willingly
Creativity was through the roof!
I was on my phone 90% less

How Life Changed While I Was Offline

My days quickly filled with more important things. I started meal prepping, focusing on my health and wellness, and I toned up! I got out of the house every day, but I also made time for my indoor hobbies – and sometimes did them outdoors, too.

I leaned on the friends who actively reached out to me and strengthened those friendships. In a way, I found out who my true and closest friends really are, which was such a beautiful revelation.

I also learned to take risks, and one of those was reaching out and reconnecting with an old friend who admitted he’d always liked me. For the first time in my life, I asked if we could try going on a date. You guys know the story… and now WE’RE ENGAGED. 💖

In all honesty, I question if I would have reached out to him if I were still on Instagram. The painful truth is that I don’t know if I would have. Being off IG made me the boldest and most empowered I’ve ever felt in my life. And if that’s sad, well, that’s okay – because I know a lot of people will resonate with this.

I have found nothing but joy and freedom without it.

Coming Back to Instagram Now

So… what the heck are you doing coming back to Instagram now?? – Right?

Listen – I didn’t actually want to. However, there are a few pros to IG that I do have to respect and appreciate.

The first is simply that IG is a social network. It’s the one place I knew I could make an announcement and my entire social network would see it. Which is why when I came back, I came back with a banger of an announcement. 😅

Second, everyone is on “the gram,” and that includes businesses, networking opportunities, and a lot of creative outlets. Planning a wedding will honestly be impossible without looking at Instagram. Photographers alone would be very difficult to find.

Third, what’s wild is how nervous I was to rejoin the IG world. But being off it for so long made me realize something — I just don’t care anymore. I don’t care what anyone thinks about what I’m doing with my life, where I’m going, or who I’m doing it with. Instagram shows about 1% of your whole life, and almost all content is staged (with a sink full of dishes and a messy background just out of frame). It’s straight up not real life, and anyone telling you otherwise is literally trying to sell you something.

So if you’re here reading about what it’s like to be off Instagram because you’re thinking about taking a break – do it. It doesn’t have to be for a full year. Heck, it doesn’t even need to be for a full month. But if your heart is feeling poisoned and your wallet is suffering from being influenced to buy things you really don’t need… friend, take this as your sign.

I was gone for a full year, and it – and everyone on it – is still there. It’ll all be okay, I promise. Listen to your mind, body, heart, and soul. Take care of yourself. 💕