Be aware of who and what is sucking you in
We've heard the social media spiel so many times it's enough to make you want to tear your own eyes out- I know I do. My grandma says things like "It's so tough for youngsters with the social media. All that pressure..." And yes, it's true. We all know that Instagram is unrealistic and more than likely damaging in one way or another. We know about the 'highlights reel'. We know models and bloggers get bad skin too, that they have bad days too, that they are real people just like us- they tell us this because they're accused of making people unhappy with the unattainable lives they advertise. They quite literally sell us a life filled with picture perfect moments.
At first, these confessions spilling out of every influencer that they are in fact human and they experience the same downfalls that we do was a relief, a breath of fresh air. "Wow!" I thought to myself. "Louise Thompson suffers with anxiety too!" and "Estee Lalonde has days where she can't get out of bed too!" As sad and concerning as it is to feel good about someone else's misfortune, it has made hundreds, if not thousands of people feel less alone but has it changed the way we feel about ourselves, about our lives? I don't think it has.
Where we used to look at the lives of beautiful people living what looks like a beautiful life, we now see depressed/ anxious/ unhappy, beautiful people living what look like beautiful lives. The problem with Instagram is that everything about it is aesthetic. From the planned arrangement of images that share the same colour hues and 'theme', to perfectly positioned and colour coordinated breakfast spreads, beauty products and outfits that compliment the scenery. These mesmerising images whisper to a tiny part of our brain that genuinely believes we need these things in order to be happy and we use the excitement and joy we experience after buying something new to back up this belief.
The happiness when we buy something new is short-lived and so we try to make this last by buying more stuff. Take a look at the things you own and try to remember how they made you feel when you first got them, do they still make you feel this way? Probably not. Which is why you will always find something new to buy, a new excuse as to why you 'need' it. There is nothing wrong with buying things for yourself- I am in no way telling you to never buy anything ever again but there is a problem if you're using this short-lived high to disguise unhappiness because things will never fill that hole.
The truth is, Instagram is only part of the problem so deleting the app won't solve all your problems but what will help is firstly awareness and secondly, making a conscious effort to not get sucked in by the illusion. So, here are some tips to help!
1. GO ON A DETOX
The first thing you can do is to control the content you're absorbing. Take some time to go through the accounts and people you're following and be honest with yourself- do these posts make me feel positive or negative? If it's negative, then get rid.
2. GO ON A BREAK
If you can't stomach leaving Instagram for good the at least challenge yourself to delete the app for a week or for longer if you like. This is a great way to determine how much of an effect it has on your life and scarily illuminates just how addictive it is too! This might help you to delete the app for good as anything addictive is controlling your life in some kind of way and it's up to you whether you want to let it.
3. BUY CONSCIOUSLY
If you buy a lot and often, make a conscious effort to really assess every item before you buy it. You know whether you need it or want it. Really listen to what your mind tells you and try to decipher whether it's a purchase well spent or just spending for the sake of it. Ask yourself- am I buying this to fill a void?
4. STRIP BACK
This might be a bit of a controversial one for some but look at the cosmetic procedures you do whether its eyelash extensions, hair extensions, false nails, fake tan, lip fillers and challenge yourself to strip them back. If theres one or two that you really can't give up then that's fine but if you don't love yourself without all the glitz and glam- do you really love yourself? Maybe you could use the money you would usually spend on these procedures and use it for some TLC- get a massage, go to a day spa or just indulge in some bath bombs and candles and have a relaxing bath.
5. REDUCE SCREEN TIME
Think about how many hours you spend on Instagram on a week and think how else that time could be used to really benefit you. Is there a habit you want to pick up that you could insert every time you want to scroll? For example, if you find yourself scrolling first thing in the morning for 5-10 minuets- use those minuets to meditate or to journal. This is a really effective use of time that will benefit you for the good. If you find yourself scrolling on the bus- bring a book with you that you've been wanting to read.
I really hope you all found this post really useful. This is not a hate post about Instagram and this is not a hate post about materialism or cosmetic procedures. It is simply a reminder that if we all spent less time looking at other peoples lives and more time learning to love ourselves, we would all be so much happier!
LUNA EDEN x
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