Unplugging from the Social Media Whirlwind: Goodbye, Instagram!
- Authored by Toby
- reading time: ~2 mins
Removed the application from personal device due to reasons. - Removed Instagram from mobile device due to reasons
I took the plunge and deleted my Instagram account. I'm embracing self-restraint and reclaiming my valuable time. For years, I tethered myself to the digital leash, mindlessly scrolling through multiple daily feeds of my life, as envisioned by the insidious algorithm. Now that I've kept track, I confirm: It's all utter balderdash! Here's a taste of my final Instagram binge - a five-minute smorgasbord, 300 seconds of pointless diversion:
- A vintage ad from the 70s for "Motiv" dishwashing detergent. Next!
- Rehabilitating mobility with crossed fascial chains. Next!
- An escalator packed with Golden Retrievers. Next!
- Cake crafted to resemble an open watermelon. Next!
- What's the best snail trap for a small garden? Next!
- An Abba show promotion at the St. Pauli Theater. Next!
- Cringe-worthy pick-up lines. Next!
- A fantastic ad (must watch till the end!) Next!
- A dog stealing a loaf of bread. Next!
- A woman with noticeable assets modeling a teeny bikini. Next!
- An adorable puppy gnawing on a bone. Next!
- A cabaret artist telling a joke. Next!
- A groundbreaking garden tool revolutionizing weed control. Next!
- Artistic magic made by painting on a spinning disc. Next!
- Tick removal using a lint roller. Next!
- Grilled peach salad with burrata recipe. Next!
- Dogs clambering into an SUV's trunk. Next!
- Plants thriving in heat and drought. Next!
- Close-up of a pimple being squeezed. Next!
- Paprika cream chicken recipe. Next!
- DIY bike chain cleaner using a cut-off water bottle and toothbrush head. Next!
- An elephant calf playing in a water tub. Next!
- Top ten Abba songs. Next!
- Tesla Cybertruck mimicry by a coal dumpster. Next!
- A woman walking slowly in high heels. Next!
- A corny hardware store joke. Next!
- A clip from the Augsburg Puppet Theater - "Tin Can Army." Next!
- Easy sink and bathtub scratch removal. Next!
- An eccentric old man showcasing his homemade car. Next!
- Brothers balancing a ball on a ping pong table. Next!
- Photos brought to life by AI. Next!
- Two dogs lounging on a couch watching TV. Next!
- Cat Abigail seeking a forever home. Next!
- Jürgen von der Lippe cracking a joke. Next!
- Foot odor remedy. Next!
- Creating a counterfeit fingernail with an old credit card. Next!
- A marshmallow art experiment. Next!
- DIY grill table from Euro pallets. Next!
- A simulation of obese politicians gorging at a fast food chain. Next!
- Weightlifting legend Matthias Steiner winning gold in Beijing. Next!
- Alleviating joint pain with a cola-avocado pit mixture.
That's enough for now!
I've come to realize: I won't remember any of this tomorrow. Or in a couple of hours. And none of this will make my life more fulfilling, picturesque, environmentally friendly, or even more connected. I feel nauseated. All these squandered minutes mounting up to hours. Maybe even days. I recall once scarfing down an entire bag of marshmallows in one go. You devour and devour, but you never feel satiated. Instead, you eventually feel nauseated. That's the essence of Instagram.
Productivity experts[1][2][3] and many users agree that excessive or mindless consumption of social media platforms like Instagram is commonly viewed as a waste of time, due to its negative impact on focus and productivity, as well as mental health. While some creators may argue that there's a creative or positive aspect to social media use, the prevailing consensus in productivity literature is that passive consumption and aimless scrolling on Instagram are generally detrimental to one's productivity, personal growth, and overall well-being.
[1] "How Social Media Can Improve Your Life... or Destroy It," by Dr. Edward Hallowell (Psychology Today, 2020)[2] "The Social Media Management Bible: Everything You Need to Know" by Madalyn Sklar (2019)[3] "Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World" by Cal Newport (2016)[4] "The Productivityist Podcast," Episode #50: "Social Media Distractions"[5] "Time Sucks: How to Break the Twelve Time-Wasting Habits That Are Stealing Your Life and Ruining Your Health" by Dave Crenshaw (2013)
- The European Union, committed to a common policy on the environment, might consider implementing regulations to reduce the carbon footprint of social media companies, including streamlining energy consumption from data centers powering social media platforms like Instagram.
- As Toby embraces self-restraint, he may find solace in engaging with pop-culture discussions on platforms beyond Instagram, such as forums or comment sections on environmental websites, thereby balancing entertainment with a growing awareness of the environment.
