I Left Instagram a Month Ago

How it started, how it's going, plus, my Weekly What

Mar 22, 2025

On a random day in February I found myself fed up with Instagram. I realized every time I opened the app seeking connection I closed it feeling frustrated, angry, overwhelmed, discouraged or some other negative emotion I certainly don’t need more of in my life. This is partly due to current events, but also just the app itself: the noise, endless scroll, and algorithm which readily serves up ads, suggested content, and outrage instead of my chosen community.

I first joined Instagram in 2015. I’ve already talked about how I’m not an early or enthusiastic adopter of tech; this was years after the platform had already surged in popularity and a time when I was becoming disillusioned with Facebook. This was an Instagram of chronological feeds, questionable filtering practices, and authentic snaps of day-to-day life.

A big part of my day-to-day life involves books so I have always shared what I was reading and interacted with some Bookstagram accounts. When I joined, Instagram was a place where you could easily connect with people around shared interests, that was the point of the platform. I enjoyed being part of online book communities in the past and quickly realized, for better or worse, this was now where a lot of book conversation was happening. I resisted creating a book specific account for a long time worried it would have a negative impact on my reading. In 2020, stuck at home during the pandemic and looking for a distraction I launched a Bookstagram account. At that time Bookstagram was such a fun space! It was easy to connect with other readers and chat about books. It felt like a special little corner of the internet.

Not long after I launched my Bookstagram account, Instagram debuted Reels and began tweaking their algorithm to prioritize video content to mimic TikTok (if I wanted TikTok I’d be on TikTok. Reader, I am not on TikTok). Over time it became much harder to connect with chosen community as the app fundamentally shifted its focus.

What used to be a space for connection is now a platform where you see more content that Meta wants to serve you than anything else. What used to be a space for community and discussion oriented around shared interests is now a free-for-all broadcast machine that feeds on our attention.

I’ve come to realize Meta doesn’t want a satisfying user experience. It is not in their best interest for users to log on and easily accomplish what they came to do; to check in with friends, or do a quick scroll to catch up on their feed. Their goal is always to leave us wanting, scrolling and scrolling and scrolling with a few hits here and there of something interesting, creative, or familiar just to keep us on the hook. I’ve resisted accepting this for too long because there are people on the platform I’d like to remain connected to, a community I’d like to remain engaged with, conversations I’d like to be a part of. But I can’t keep being disappointed doing the same thing over and over expecting different results. I can’t expect to have a good experience on a platform whose goals are so fundamentally different from my own.

In some ways it feels as though I’ve been in a dysfunctional relationship with social media for a while and it’s just all coming to a head now. Leading up to the 2024 election I made an offhand comment about how if Harris lost I was probably going to have to leave the internet for my sanity. I was half serious, half joking at the time, and also very much hoping this wouldn’t be something I’d need to reckon with. But I’ve already lived through a Trump presidency, unable to look away from every outrageous act, doomscrolling and anxious and despondent. And? That’s exactly where they want us. They want us arguing with one another on our little screens, they want us to feel exhausted and impotent.

Back in early 2023 (when I was already feeling quite conflicted about social media) I heard John Green interviewed on the Offline podcast talking about his own somewhat reluctant and evolving relationship with the internet and social media. He said something that really stuck with me, of course I’m paraphrasing here, about how being on social media is allowing algorithms to decide how he feels about the world. This fundamentally shifted how I thought about social media. Taking back my consumption and attention feels like one very small thing I have control over in a very out-of-my-control world, a small act of resistance amidst the chaos of current events, something that yields real benefit.

And so, intentionally or not, I find myself coming up on 6 weeks since I’ve spent any length of time on Instagram with little desire to go back. It really wasn’t a conscious choice to leave, but now that I’ve taken some time away and feel the benefits of doing so I’ve stayed away, leery of backsliding.

Here are some obvious benefits I’ve noticed during my break:

I feel calmer, more peaceful, less stressed, more patient.
I feel like I have more brain space.
My focus is better, my attention less scattered.
I feel more creative. I have independent ideas again. Topics I’d like to explore, things I’d like to write about.
My reading is better. I’ve always read a ton of books, but my quality of reading, my experience feels improved. I’m enjoying books more, more easily entering into flow state while reading, and just finding myself more satisfied with my reading overall.
I am better able to compartmentalize current events. Make no mistake I am very aware of of what’s going on and just how bad things are, but I’m finding immense value in being in control of when and where I source my information. I started the year talking about how I was no longer able to endure the constant deluge of information and outrage served up by social media, how I desired to be in control of my news consumption. Turns out I was really onto something there. Being an informed citizen is not only responsible but crucial to the preservation of our democracy; steeping in the cesspool of regurgitated current events on social media is not.
I have more time. Not only do I actually have more time because I’m not wasting it scrolling through content I don’t need, or often even want to see on social media, I actually feel like I have more time, which brings me back to that first point: I feel calmer, more peaceful, less stressed. This is huge.

I’ve long suspected, or even theoretically understood, that algorithmically driven, infinite scroll social media apps like Instagram have impact to our brains and attention that we don’t yet fully understand. And yet, I felt like I had a handle on things, like I was in control of my experience. When we open these apps we’re looking for entertainment and connection, we aren’t signing on for our attention to be mined in a way that will leave us feeling the effects long after we log off, but… that’s what’s actually happening.

I want to be clear, before this break I didn’t spend an incredible amount of time on social media. I’ve had some firm boundaries in place for quite a long time. Years ago I turned off most notifications on my phone, including almost all for any social media apps (I allowed silently delivered alerts for DMs from friends). I have a screen time widget on the top of my home screen so I can track my usage throughout the day with the goal of keeping social media usage below 2 hours. While this goal could certainly be lower it felt like a realistic balance as someone who interacts and posts content as a creator but doesn’t want to lose a lot of time mindlessly scrolling. I would also try not to open the app until lunchtime, sort of an intermittent fasting for social media, if you will. Basically, I sought to use social media in an intentional way. Aside from days here and there where I’d get caught up mindlessly scrolling, or worse doomscrolling, I didn’t find it hard to stick to these boundaries, but they just aren’t enough. Low or intentional usage is just not the same as being blissfully unaware of whatever inane thing is trending today.

I also want to be clear, I’m not over here living a perfect existence, I’m not completely off grid. As I said above, I’m still very aware of current events. I am a chronic over-thinker and anxious by nature (those two things undoubtedly go hand-in-hand, do they not?) But I think carving out peace for ourselves wherever, whenever, and however we can in the chaos of this terrible timeline is itself an act of resistance.

While I have no general interest in Instagram at this point and feel conflicted about regularly creating content for Meta, I still have individuals there I’d like to remain connected with and I realize this doesn’t necessarily need to be all or nothing. I might start playing around with ways to periodically check in in a way that feels responsible. Maybe a weekly reading update and scrolling only my Favorites feed? Periodically checking in on my computer rather than my phone (a much less satisfying interface.) Convincing everyone else to defect and luring them here to chat instead? 😈 I wish!

What I’m…

Reading

These colorful covers are fitting for St. Patty’s week 🌈

We Are the Brennans by Tracey Lange. This family drama has been languishing on my TBR for years as Lange has released several subsequent books. I liked this fine but didn’t find it particularly memorable. Recalled Mary Beth Keane’s The Half Moon, which I think I preferred.
Idle Grounds by Krystelle Bamford. Complimentary review copy provided by publisher. This is a strange book about a particularly eventful day in the life on a WASPish New England extended family as told from the point of view of the children, now adults in present day, as they search the property and surrounding woods after their baby cousin disappears. Ripe with metaphor about inheritance with elements of mystery and sort of mystical magical realism I really enjoyed this. I think it does an excellent job of recalling the point of view of childhood and capturing dynamics of cousins/extended family.
The Strange Case of Jane O. by Karen Thompson Walker. This is the third book I’ve read from Walker and just as with her other novels I thoroughly enjoyed it! The story is recounted through case notes written by a psychiatrist and journal-style letters from his patient, Jane O. who presents in his office confused by memory lapses. She claims this is not the first time they’ve met, but he doesn’t remember her. Walker’s books are always an interesting blend of literary leaning suspense with a speculative nugget at its core. When I began reading this book I was so intrigued I gulped down the first 75 pages and totally lost track of time!
The Antidote by Karen Russell. Complimentary review copy provided by publisher. This is a wildly creative book set in the fictional town of Uz, Kansas during the Dust Bowl, specifically Black Sunday, a particularly devastating dust storm in 1935. There’s an orphaned niece living on her uncle’s farm, a prairie witch, a scarecrow, I’m sure you know by now which classic story this nods to though it’s unlike anything I’ve ever read. The Antidote explores important themes of memory, collective consciousness, and the dangers of forgetting our past.

Listening

The History of Sound: Stories by Ben Shattuck. 12 interconnected stories set in New England across 3 centuries begs to be listened to on audio with an all star narration cast including Paul Mescal, Dion Graham, Ed Helms, and Nick Offerman.
10 Things to Tell You with Laura Tremaine: Best Books Lately (Episode 258). This episode features Liz Hein, one of my favorite Readers talking about books and the recent and unexpected loss of her father and the intersection of her father and books. It’s a moving discussion and beautiful tribute.
10 Things to Tell You with Laura Tremaine: How to Survive on Social Media in 2025 (Episode 257). As I queued up the Best Books Lately episode this one caught my eye so I gave it a listen. This episode resonated with me, many of Laura’s tips are things I’ve intuitively done myself as I’ve explored my relationship and experience with social media. Though after listening it really struck me how many of us are thinking and reflecting and employing little tips and tricks to curb our usage and how really concerning that is.
Sarah’s Bookshelves Live: Karen Thompson Walker (Author of The Strange Case of Jane O.) (Episode 189). Great timing as I listened to this recent episode right after finishing The Strange Case of Jane O. I appreciated hearing from Karen Thompson Walker about her career and writing process as well as more about Jane O. of course!

Watching

Severance, Season 1 (Apple TV+). We are rewatching season 1 to gear up for watching season 2 now that it’s fully available. This is such a good show! I’ve been listening to Severed: The Ultimate Severance Podcast which offers detailed recaps and dives into context and fan theories surrounding the show. It’s a rewatch podcast, meaning season 1 spoilers come into play as episodes are recapped. This has been a fun supplement to my rewatch.

Eating & Drinking

This Creamy Tortellini Soup is a Soup Season must. I recommend serving it with this insanely easy No-Knead Cheese Bread.
Monday was St. Patrick’s Day, we celebrated with Corned Beef and Veggies in the Crock Pot.
I’ve been making these Spicy Bean Burritos for years and years. They come together super quickly, everyone likes them, and I usually have the fixings on hand. In the words of Michael Scott: win-win-win.
We have had quite a range of weather this week. We took advantage of winter days which felt very summer like to grill some burgers mid-week. I served them with fries from the freezer and fruit.
My current tea of choice is Earl Grey with a splash of milk, but I’m dreaming of iced tea season soon to come!

Links + Loves

Having read Cars and Trucks and Things that Go many, many, MANY times to a certain vehicle-obsessed child I appreciated this piece on Richard Scarry and the Art of Children’s Literature (The Yale Review) in honor of the book’s 50th anniversary.
AI Search Engines Cite Incorrect News Sources at an Alarming 60% Rate, Study Says (Ars Technica). “The study highlighted a common trend among these AI models: rather than declining to respond when they lacked reliable information, the models frequently provided plausible-sounding but incorrect or speculative answers—known technically as confabulations. The researchers emphasized that this behavior was consistent across all tested models, not limited to just one tool.” 1 in 4 Americans now use AI models as alternatives to traditional search engines. 🙃
Loved reading about this analog precursor to Goodreads (NPR) utilized by the LA Public Library beginning in the 1920s. “The system now serves as a historical record of both the books, some almost 100 years old, as well as the cultural views held by the book-loving library staff of the time.” 🥰
The Facebook tell-all Mark Zuckerberg doesn’t want you to read, briefly explained (Vox). I wasn’t actually planning to read this book, I was just going to seek out spoilers/discussion; I think it’s pretty clear I already think Meta/Zuckerberg are the bad guys here. But now that they’re working so hard to silence this author I am absolutely interested to read it and will be doing so soon.
The Winners of the 2025 National Book Critics Circle Awards Are Here (Book Riot). I have only read one of the titles, There’s Always This Year: On Basketball and Ascension, which I adored! I just put in a library request for My Friend as that’s been on my TBR for too long. I definitely need to get to Challenger also!
The inaugural Climate Fiction Prize shortlist has been announced (The Guardian). These are interesting selections for an award seeking to “celebrate the most inspiring novels tackling the climate crisis.”
Also, the Aspen Words Lit Prize finalists (Aspen Words) were announced last week - this is my personal favorite prize list.
I have been diffusing my favorite Spring Shine essential oil blend on repeat. A refreshing blend of citrus with a light herbaceous undertone is perfect this time of year.

Tell me:

What are you reading/watching/eating/drinking/loving this week?
Anything, let’s chat!

That Bookish Life {Stacked}

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