Instagram: a fun social media network where you can show off cute photos of your dogs, tag a friend in a funny video, and post “Happy Birthday” for your family. I love Instagram, and when I say I love Instagram, I am not exaggerating. I used to spend hours lying in bed editing my pictures on the various editing apps I have on my phone. I even had an app that plans out my feed so everything looked aesthetically pleasing.
Naturally, when my sorority was looking for a girl to run our Instagram, I was so excited, and when I got elected to be our social media chair, I was over the moon. However, I quickly realized that editing pictures that weren’t mine was much more difficult. Every picture looks so different because of the various qualities, lightings, and backgrounds. In addition, it was hard for me to find time to spend hours editing photos.
“Instagram is stressing me out!” People always gave me weird looks when I told them this, but it was true. Unlike most, I could not just log off when I wanted and take a social media break. I was required to be on it all the time and always stay updated. Ultimately, it was not the editing or posting that made me want to quit my position—it was the unconstructive criticism I received.
Social media aesthetics are so subjective. In a group of over a hundred girls, it is nearly impossible to please everyone. However, it was basically my job to do so, especially during a pandemic when social media accounts were scrutinized more than usual. I felt like looking at our Instagram account was a way for everybody to judge me and my abilities. I felt uncredited and underappreciated. I wondered how something I was once so excited to do quickly turned into something I dreaded.
Quitting my position felt like I was losing a battle with myself. I felt like I was giving in to the pressure, and I refused to do so. Nonetheless, it was important for me to acknowledge the burnout I was experiencing. I took the full two weeks to decide. I even deleted the Instagram app off my phone.
I ultimately decided to keep my position, even with all the stress and criticism it brought upon me. There are still some days when I dread even looking at Instagram, but there are also days when I find myself genuinely excited to edit and post pictures. Instagram and editing and sorority life aside, I am going to leave you with one piece of advice I can give through my time in this position: if you ever find yourself in a position of stress or burnout, make sure to find the light in those positions as well.
