I’m so aware of what I’m doing – but I still consciously choose to constantly click on Instagram
My brain immediately wants to see if anyone likes my posts
I tell myself I don’t care if people like my posts
I'm going to share what I believe is important or inspiring
I'm not going to follow an algorithm or try to market myself
I'm going to be my authentic self and share content with the purpose of connection & inspiration
But I still get sucked into the pointless gratification of “did people like my post?” “How many people liked my post?” “My post didn’t get many likes – what did I do wrong?”
As soon as I wake up and check the time – my brain wants to check emails, check messenger, check Instagram engagement – WHY?????
Have you ever considered how much time you spend on your phone? On social media? On mindless scrolling through Instagram?
Instagram definitely has provided many opportunities for me – travelling to Fiji, making friends, being supported, creating connection, finding work – but there’s a big difference from using social media for inspiration and connection VS becoming sucked in and reliant on social media for our self-worth
So today is the day I've decided to let go of constantly checking Instagram
Has it just become a habit? Is my brain hooked on the dopamine from “likes”? Am I trying to distract myself? Am I trying to feel accomplished? Am I seeking something more in life in general?
I've always been someone who doesn’t spend much time of their phone, who doesn’t text when I’m with people, who believes strongly in a self-focused morning and evening routine, but even with all my beliefs around setting boundaries with my phone – I too have gotten sucked in by constantly checking up on Instagram/emails
Setting Clear Boundaries to Protect My Values
What I value most is – time spent on self-growth, reading, meditating, journaling, being in the mountains, van life, fitness training & health
I’d much rather spend the morning doing 10 minutes of setting a beautiful intention for the day and mediating than checking up on social media
To set boundaries I'm starting with not checking social media until AFTER coffee – on days I’m not out climbing I sometimes don’t make coffee until 11am. This means that my mornings are spent being PURPOSEFUL rather than REACTIVE to social media
My first moments awake are around creating MY day and MY LIFE vs looking at others and filling some void within myself with likes from Instagram
My other boundary is no more social media after dinner
My suggestion for setting boundaries is to consider what time is most important to you and where you want to make changes
Saying that I will just go on social media once a day or twice a day may be a big challenge PLUS you may still give up that precious time (such as when you first wake up) and end up losing an hour of your morning to mindless insta scrolling
Protect the time that's important to you
Then create a realistic goal
It’s helpful to pair it with something you already do (this is called habit stacking) or with something that you want to do to create another new habit – such as after brushing your teeth, after breakfast, after meditating, after 3 deep breaths, after setting a daily intention, after work etc.
If you feel that you have a great relationship with social media and have great balance in your life – that's awesome!
There’s nothing wrong with scrolling insta, checking engagement or checking emails – those things may still be important to you.
Regardless of how we spend our time, it’s important to be aware and make a conscious decision of how we spend our time and seek to understand WHY we are doing what we are doing
If all the minutes spent on instagram in a day added up to two hours a day – you’d be giving up an entire MONTH of your life every year spent on instagram
There’s a lot you can do in a month
Such as drive across the country to the Rocky Mountains and connect with what's most important to you! (for example)
The other piece to be mindful of is becoming aware of WHAT you are consuming on social media
Are you following accounts that are inspiring, uplifting, and healthy? Or does it reinforce poor self esteem, self doubt, inadequacy, shame or guilt?
Open your awareness
Seek understanding about your actions with compassion
Make choices aligned with your heart
Peace and Love,
Kirsten
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