Assuming you landed here via my Instagram bio then you must’ve read my latest post. If you’re not all caught up, IG’s getting rid of “likes”, and removing the like button completely. The update is intended to make the app more user-friendly and help tackle the negative effects usage of the app has been tied to causing.
Throughout the years of using this app, I’ve witnessed how big names, companies, and regular people use it. I’ve held conversations in and outside of the classroom about it: the mental effects it causes, how everyone’s highlight reel affects those with body dysmorphia, and of course how it creates a sense of FOMO (fear of missing out). But unlike many of my friends and those who take a break from the app or go on an “IG Detox”, I’ve never taken a break from it.
I constantly try to limit how much time I spend on the app, as well as my “Post and Ghost” rule — where I post and exit the app for the next 15 minutes– in order to not obsess about the amount of likes and how fast the likes increase… do I sound problematic yet? If no, don’t worry, it gets worse. The most I’ve ever done to disconnect is when I visit my grandma en el campo where there’s no wifi, but even then I make sure to post a couple pictures (and stories) announcing how I’ll be gone.
A couple of weeks ago my friend Jomely (@IamJbreton) posted and started a conversation about this in her comments:
To which I answered:
And this wasn’t something I had to think about too long for, because that’s how I honestly felt.
I have tons of things I think about posting, and then I take into account color schemes, aesthetics, which photos were “best”, and the biggest question “did I post this outfit too much”, ultimately delaying my posting process. Even after taking 300 photos (thinking you look great) now you got to narrow down which one(s) are “the best”. For someone like me, who has an eye for detail I will pick one photo over the other just because my head is tilted 60 degrees closer to the sun and that really makes a difference.
Obsessive, I know. But that’s what your mind turns into when you when you’ve invested so much time into this. I let the thought of my response sit for a couple of days but kept thinking about how I hold back because certain things aren’t ready (or edited). I don’t consider it procrastination (which I do have a bad case of) but more a fear of not being right for that moment.
Last Friday when I attended an event for Gals with Goals, hosted by the hard-working boss herself, Morgan Barse (@morganbarse). Not only was this event helpful in the way that I got to network with women on the USF campus, but I got to hear about other creatives and inspirational hard-working women as well.
(Me, Morgan, and Dani)
On top of getting to finally see influencers like Kahlea Nicole and Ayana Gabrielle Lage IRL!! I got to hear them and other boss babes speak about some of the realities of their career: beauty and the (always working/lacking sleep) beast. Ingrid Harb put us in a peaceful place, where we were honest with ourselves about what it is that we wanna do and what it is deep down that we’d like to do, how we’re going to chase that bag and lots of motivation to keep working.
Jessica Murroff was the keynote speaker and she killedT it! She spoke about #BeFearless and shared some principles that entrepreneurs found to be successful. She also shared some of her favorite books, and the practices she takes each day to be a more resilient boss.
Every guest at the Gals with Goals On Campus event
All that empowerment got me thinking about how inconsistent I am, because of how I tend to overthink posts and it’s not that big a deal that things aren’t picture perfect I should really be happy with sharing something I care about. I know there are tons of bigger things I could fear (like jumping out of a plane or asking someone out) but compared to posting a bad pic, those are just a walk in the park. Literally, like out of all things.
I know this is what my friends look like trying to make sense of how my mind operates
From what I’ve heard this new update isn’t benefiting influencers and those who have created businesses from their fan base, which we can’t be too mad about because at the end of the day they own their business, they can capitalize off of it however they’d like. I can’t really see what effect removing the likes will have on people that have been using Instagram for years, this app has done a lot of damage but I do hope good things come from this.
I’ve never gone on a social media hiatus, but every once in a while I notice how confident I am with myself. For me, it isn’t so much about how good I look but rather how I could look better, and I mean it’s not shocking for someone who has over 10k photos on her phone (not joking 11,554 and counting).
It’s great to have friends, family, and randos who complement me each day but a big impact social media has had on me is the feeling of unfulfillment. I know it’s through self-love that I’ll be able to know that I am enough and that I don’t need validation from others.