A Year Without Instagram — Here’s How It’s Been

After being off of Instagram for a year, I thought that I’d eventually miss it and want it back. But, that never happened.

Photo by Brett Jordan on Unsplash

Just over a year ago, I was at the end of my rope with Instagram where I just didn’t want to be on the platform anymore. The tipping point for me was when a long-time friend, whom I had a recent falling out with, made the assumption that I was “so happy and living my life” despite the death of my Dad just months earlier.

As if everything that’s posted on Instagram (or on social media in general) should be taken at face value.

I was infuriated, devastated, and quite frankly shocked at the assumption. I was offended that she didn’t know me well enough to know that what was there shouldn’t be taken at face value. I was hurt by her inability to read between the lines and that yes, I was living my life, but I was nowhere near happy, despite my attempts at maintaining appearances.

So, I shut it down. I went offline and deactivated my account indefinitely. And I figured at some point, I’d miss it and reactivate it again. I figured I just needed some time away to cool down and take a break from all the noise. But little did I know, that would be the last time I ever logged into my Instagram…