How to use Instagram mindfully
“There is nothing neither good nor bad but thinking makes it so” - Shakespeare
It has taken me a long time to come around to using Instagram. I left it about 18 months ago: deleted my account and never looked back. I had deleted the app on and off before that, but it always felt like the equivalent of pushing something to the back of the cupboard and pretending it didn’t exist. The reason for leaving altogether was because I was experiencing a huge dip in my mental health. I would look at other people’s stories and posts - my friends’ - and feel immediately rubbish. Comparing myself to them and experiencing the immediate negative self-talk was incredibly harmful.
Mindful tip #1: You don’t need to follow your friends. The choice is yours and there is no pressure or need to follow anyone out of duty or loyalty or a presumed ‘okayness’ with it all. Not following a friend on social media has nothing to do with the quality of your friendship.
Over time, I was gradually collecting evidence in the case against Instagram until it was too heavy and too present to ignore. Another turning point for me came when a friend of mine went on a short break abroad. Everyday I would see another story or post from the holiday. She came over when she was back and when she left I realised we hadn’t talked about her holiday. My mind hadn’t thought to ask questions because it had already seen it all; I knew everything she’d done from Instagram. That natural, reactive curiosity had already been quenched. I felt quite shocked and also very aware that we had been robbed of a meaningful conversation and connection. By not following my friends on Instagram over the last 18 months I’ve maintained a greater and more authentic relationship with each of them. I may not have seen that photo of my friend and her boyfriend but when I see her and we catch up, we talk about it: the whole, real story behind the photo.
Mindful tip #2: Never allow Instagram (or social media) to replace genuine connection with an individual. Liking her post does not strengthen your connection as friends.
So why use Instagram at all? With a little bit of space and distance, I’ve been able to come back to it with an open mind. In January, when I was thinking about creating something (this!) I had extremely strong opinions about Instagram. I wanted to stand firmly against it, not contribute to it and find a way to promote my ideas without it.
I didn’t want people to see my stories or posts and compare themselves and feel the way I felt. I didn’t want to be a part of it; I didn’t want to be the cause of someone’s depression, anxiety or low self-esteem.
But, as in the words of Shakespeare, Instagram isn’t good or bad, it is our perception of it that makes it so. It is completely innocent and can be an incredible thing. It can be harmful and helpful. It can be both uplifting and depressing. What makes it difficult is that it is incredibly easy to use completely passively. It is up to the individual to use it wisely, sensibly and with a constant awareness. It is up to the individual to use it mindfully.
Mindful tip #3: Use Instagram mindfully. Be intentional and always approach it with a sense of curiosity and inquiry. Never let the algorithms be more in control than you are. Build an awareness of the emotions that arise when you look at someone’s post. Do you feel angry? Jealous? Sad? Happy? Proud? Just be aware of that emotion. If it makes you feel jealous, that’s okay. The most important thing is that you recognise that. Building an awareness of our emotions is the key to using something mindfully. You are in complete control.
So, now what? I’m on Instagram. I’ve rejoined the masses! But here is my pledge to you and, perhaps more crucially, to myself:
I intend to only post that which is genuine and authentic. I now recognise Instagram as an incredibly powerful platform for promotion. That being said, this is not about me. I intend to use it in a way that respects the key yogic principles of non-harming and non-attachment: there is no space for ego in the philosophy of yoga. Being aware of our own egoism is an ongoing meditation. This is not about the way I look or the clothes I wear, but about me sharing something I believe to be of great value.
“The ego is what fogs the mirror” - Patanjali, Inside the Yoga Sutras
Let’s do this!