This Trick Altered My Relationship to Instagram. Here’s Why It Works

Earlier than Christmas, I made a decision to delete Instagram from my iPhone. I observed I used to be getting overstimulated by my media utilization, and my social media apps started to really feel overwhelming. I figured that one of the simplest ways to spend the tip of 2022 was to desert the apps and provides my mind a break. 

This wasn’t the primary time I wanted house from the ever-churning content material I inconspicuously eat. It wasn’t the primary time I deleted Instagram from my telephone, both. For no less than 4 years, I have been in a cycle of overusing the platform, making an attempt to create a ways, then craving for digital content material and eventually returning to the app — with the (fragile) decision that I might have a more healthy relationship with it this time round. 

Figuring out that I had hassle protecting away from Instagram for a considerable period of time once I went chilly turkey prior to now, I made a decision to attempt one thing totally different.  

This time, as a substitute of totally abandoning the app, my plan was to spend much less time with Instagram than I had been (which I estimate was one to 2 hours a day, amounting reasonably disgustingly to tons of of hours per yr). To set a restrict, I put the app out of attain — very like you would possibly place a bag of chocolate chips greater within the cabinet to scale back snacking temptation. I deleted the app from my telephone however stored it on my laptop computer, making it more durable to entry.

The ‘browser loophole’

Somebody with out social media dependency points might be nice with merely deleting the app from their telephone. Nevertheless, each time I tried a break from Instagram, I might abstain efficiently for a number of days, after which I might begin counting on what I wish to name the “browser loophole” — that’s, accessing Instagram not by the app however by my net browser. This defeats the aim of eradicating Instagram from my telephone, however for the time being it felt sensical and prefer it wasn’t dishonest. Permit me to reiterate: I’ve issues!

Placing Instagram simply out of attain

So how did I shut the browser loophole? Fortuitously, a number of days earlier than deleting the app from my telephone, I learn a CNET article on clearing your iPhone cache. The article notes how clearing your cache can unlock storage, which is initially why I did it. However then I noticed deleting cookies and web site knowledge might additionally delete account info stored by your browser. If I wished to create a further hurdle to reaching Instagram, I might clear the app knowledge in order that I might should retype my username and password every time. That means, once I was lured into accessing Instagram by my browser, having to enter my account info to log again in gave me time to mirror on a doable defeat I wasn’t fairly prepared for. 

Why the browser model of Instagram helps me scale back my Instagram use 

Together with my scheme to make Instagram more durable to achieve, the browser model on my laptop computer is clunkier than the cell model, which serves as one other deterrent to extended use. For instance, posting content material on the internet model is feasible however takes a bit extra work than on the cell model.

Up to now, my plan is working. After almost two months with this setup, the urge to reflexively test Instagram on my telephone is gone. Now, I entry it a number of occasions a day by my laptop computer, soak up the updates from my favourite recipe builders and meme accounts, after which shut my laptop and do one thing else. 

The instant accessibility of social media apps and the moment gratification they supply is a serious purpose my relationship with them has turn into overly dependent. I usually fall into the lure of Instagram and different apps as a result of they’re logistically straightforward on my telephone, and as soon as I am there, every little thing I might ever want is on the market to me — the mesmerizing meal movies, the memes about no matter mess Harry Types is in. To not point out the frenzy of validation I get from posting and interacting with others on the app. 

As I’ve written earlier than, anticipating younger folks to desert their social media accounts is unrealistic. Our era was raised on digital affirmation, immersed in on-line communities and skilled to be told on every little thing taking place. My new strategy, I believe, is extra lifelike. 

I’ve no intention of a everlasting exit or full detox. However, due to this swap, I spend solely a handful of minutes a day visiting Instagram, which is means more healthy than waking as much as it, checking it throughout any crumb of downtime in the course of the workday, swiping by it on the subway or pulling it out throughout social gatherings like I did when it was readily accessible. 

Why it really works 

It is doable to remain linked with your pals, household or favourite meme accounts however wish to scale back your reliance on social media apps and your habit to those platforms. By creating a number of easy obstacles, you possibly can basically change your habits. 

Will I ever obtain the Instagram cell app once more? Possibly. However in the interim, this works. And if you could take a step again from social media, possibly it would give you the results you want, too.