Crap, I forgot I deleted it.

This was the 5th time I mindlessly picked up my phone to scroll Instagram.

I was attending a weekend workshop and deleted the app off my phone to cut out all distractions.

And I had forgot (again) that I had deleted the app.

It was embarrassing how many times I picked up my phone ready to scroll.

You'd think I'd be quick to reinstall it after the weekend because of that. But the exact opposite thing occurred.

It's been 48 days (and counting) of zero Instagram. No posts, scrolling or messaging.

Here's what I've learned from deleting Instagram (my fave app ever 😥) off my phone...

I don't miss it.

I don't miss the scrolling, the reels, the posts or anything to do with the app. In fact, a weight has been lifted.

I didn't realize the pressure I felt to "like", post and interact with strangers on the internet...until it was gone.

But I do miss the distraction.

I'd forget I didn't have the app installed and would reach for my phone to start scrolling. It disturbed me how automatic that action was. How many times a day over the past year did I repeat that process to make it so mindlessly automatic?

I'd seek to distract myself with the app. This became very apparent to me when the app was no longer there to provide that distraction.

I'd do a quick check-in with myself. What's going on that I want to check Instagram? And sure enough, there'd be some uncomfortable emotion I'd be looking to ignore.

Boredom. Stress. Looking to numb out. Passing time.

As the days without Instagram continued, I've noticed some significant changes in my life.

🧠 My mind is A LOT clearer.

It isn't muddled or full of other people's ideas and concepts. I wasn't ruminating on reels, or saving posts that I'll never look at again.

I discovered my own ideas in nature, books, podcasts and had time and space to explore them.

🎨 I am more creative and inspired.

I get to explore my own curiosity in gentle ways. Not viewing hundreds of reels all telling me what I should be doing, thinking, or feeling.

Instead, I get to intentionally choose what to consume for myself not by an algorithm.

🤗 I am happier.

I am more "okay" with where I am in my life and business. I didn’t once have the thought, “I'm not doing enough”. That thought would come up a lot when I was viewing other creators' content. The comparison trap that comes from the app can't grab hold when I'm not using it.

I also don't feel panic to post, make reels or create social media content. Oh, freedom!

🤳🏼 I spend way less time on my phone.

My phone screen time went down significantly (last week it was around 1.5 hours). I am finding I have more time to read, write, listen to audiobooks, have good conversations, and meditate.

🌎 I am gaining perspective.

What I was seeing on the app was not reality. It's a highlight reel of a select few people's lives, pushed out by the algorithm. I don't want an algorithm deciding what's worthy of my attention.

🤷🏻‍♀️ I am conflicted.

Ooops, this is an unexpected one! I'm a digital marketer by profession. I've taught hundreds of thousands people how to use social media.

I have encouraged people to share, engage and create on Instagram. I myself find inspiration and new ideas there.

Am I a hypocrite?

A bad digital marketer?

Instagram is powerful marketing tool. It's a way to stay connected, discover new things and be creative.

But for me right now, that isn't enough to sacrifice my general well being. I find it impossible to stay balanced when using it. It starts with “checking in” then spirals into doom scrolling until 2am.

How do we find balance with addictive social media platforms like Instagram?

Yes, you can build and grow a business using platforms like Instagram.

You can also become a slave to the very channel that promises you freedom.

I have a responsibility as a digital marketer to guide others in using these apps in ways that help, not hurt.

And I know very well how using Instagram can impact my own mental health.

If you are using social media (which I'm guessing most of us are) here are some ways to find your own balance...

• Develop your values around using social media. Decide what is important to you and understand why you are using specific channels, and why.
• Decide your use case. If it's professionally, you could hire a freelance social media manager. If it's personally, you might delete it from your phone outright.
• Create clear boundaries. These are clear rules around your social media use. You could decide to avoid opening Instagram first thing in the morning or when you are with your kids.
• Create value, not crap. Don't cater to the algorithm's whims. Create content that is unique and worthy of views.
• Going viral means nothing. Create to say something unique, not to go viral.
• Stop using vanity metrics as a measurement of self worth for yourself, and others.

Or should we give it all up, buy a small piece of land, garden and raise chickens? 🐓

Joking. Sort of.

There is a middle ground, we each need to find it for ourselves.

I have to acknowledge how blessed I am to not have to rely on places like Instagram and Facebook to run my business. It was really important for me to set my business up in a way that I wasn't solely dependent on social media to get clients and steady work. I recognize this isn't always the case.

Have you ever taken a break from social media? How did it go??

~ Megan

P.S: I teach my entire process for running a 6-figure consulting business without relying on social media and a large following in my 7 Days to Your First Paying Client course. Check it out here.

P.P.S: Here are some interesting links on app and smartphones...

📱 To see how addictive apps are and how they use color as a psychological tactic, try turning your phone to grayscale. It's awful! LOL. Here's the tutorial.

🤳 Check out Kendrick Lamar's anti-smartphone, the "just a phone" pgLang light phone here.

👋🏼 Hi, I'm Megan!

I'm a business coach & digital marketer who spends time in the Bay Area and the mountains of British Columbia. Each week I share stories, ideas, and resources to help you build a profitable business & life you love.