Ever an Instagram lover myself, I can’t help but notice that there is something amiss nowadays. Between feeling emotionally drained, a lack of new content, and the constant screen-time, I have realised that time spent on these apps is no longer giving me the enjoyment that it used to. For the time being, I have recognised that I need to limit my time on these apps and step away. I need to remember that there are people that I can better connect with if I call, text, or even send a letter. Humour me, as I get this off my chest:
With so little going on from day to day, you’d think I’d have constant energy. Yet, I have found myself perpetually drained, and social media has undoubtedly contributed to that. For me, social media has been increasingly emotionally draining. I suppose that the main reason why I get exhausted from checking social media is that it is no longer engaging for me, which means that I really just go on these apps out of habit, and almost out of obligation. I go through the motions because I am compelled to and I am accustomed to it. I suppose the red flag is that notifications no longer incentivise me to check apps, but rather act as a means of steering me away from them. There is so much material to absorb, even if one is doing it passively, and I for one am exhausted.
While I was, at one point, intrigued by OOTD’s and loaves of bread coming out of the oven, I have since started to dread them. Why? I now know everything in some people’s wardrobes and how often they check their sourdough starter; and that means all the fun has dissipated.
On top of it all, between school and social media, I have been looking at my screen for what seems like every second of the day. I take a break from lectures on my laptop to look at texts on my phone, and at the end of the day, I watch a movie on the television. It is never ending. This is done to the detriment of my mental and physical health. I have also noticed my eyes seem much more strained and my posture is arching towards whatever screen I am viewing. In fact, no one I speak to seems to feel better about themselves after checking social media – whether they look at the news or influencers. The time I am staring at social media is inconsequential and unproductive, and I am aware of it now.
My rant aside, social media reflects the world around all of us. It is, therefore, unsurprising that posts have become more dull over the past year. However, there are brighter days ahead. In a few months time, we will hopefully see new photos from vacation, nights out, friends hanging out, and so on. Once we can all be social in person again, social media will revert back to a place of documenting exuberant times rather than its current role as a means to pass time. I know that I can’t wait for my screen-time to start lessening more naturally, to be excited to see what others are up to, and for engaging content to resume again. In the meantime though, I will channel more of my energy to checking up on those around me and keeping spirits up – something that will become easier if I start seeing my time on social media going down.