Social media is not just a tool – it’s a system that shapes us, often without us even noticing.
In this article, you’ll discover why Instagram pushed me to the edge of a mini-burnout after just six months as a creator, what research says about its impact on our mental health, and how you can use it consciously without losing yourself in the process. At the end, you’ll find a short but powerful exercise you can do in just five minutes to detox your digital habits.
Instagram Has Lost Its Soul
In its early days, Instagram was a charming little photo app.
Badly lit pizzas, sunset filters, imperfect yet authentic moments.
Today, it’s a TikTok replica running on an endless stream of Reels.
Algorithms decide what gets seen – and what disappears into the void.
Photography and depth have almost vanished.
As a creator, I realized: if you don’t adapt, you become invisible. If you do adapt, you become replaceable.
I wanted to tell real stories, show up vulnerably, offer value, and help people.
But the constant push for more, faster, louder led to exhaustion and emotional numbness.
It left me questioning why the platform had become so toxic – and why it offered me so little real value, only endless compensation.
The Meta Strategy
Instagram isn’t a classic villain – it’s simply capitalism at work
Its goal is not your well-being, but your screen time.
Classic photo posts lose reach while Reels dominate the feed.
Every new feature is designed to keep you scrolling – not to make you happier.
The real question is: do you want to play by those rules?
What Research Says About Instagram and Mental Health
The Royal Society for Public Health surveyed 1,500 people on the effects of the five biggest platforms.
The results: four of them negatively affect mental health – and Instagram ranked worst.
The reason is simple: Instagram is like a beauty filter for life – curated, compared, and artificially staged.
The Psychology of Comparison and Social Hierarchy
Our brains are wired for ranking systems
In the past, this happened within a small, real-world reference group.
Today, we compare ourselves to a global selection of the “best” – or rather, the best they choose to show.
The problem: our brains don’t register that these images are staged.
The result: we feel as if we’re at the bottom of a social arena we never asked to join.
The Mental Impact
- Constant exposure to polished, curated lives
- Persistent feelings of “not enough”
- Increases in anxiety, sleep problems, and restlessness
- Heightened perfectionism and chronic comparison
- Disconnection from our own real lives
In short, Instagram rarely fosters genuine connection – but it often fuels self-doubt.
Algorithmic Manipulation and Overstimulation
Instagram’s goal is not to make you happy – it’s to keep you there.
Reels are like visual caffeine shots every few seconds.
Your feed is filled with accounts you never chose to follow.
This is no accident – it’s the design of the attention economy.
Why YouTube Feels Different to Me
YouTube rewards depth over speed.
You choose what you watch, without being trapped in a dopamine loop.
The platform values storytelling over quick clicks.
For me, it means more creative freedom, less pressure, and real connection with my audience.
Three Ways to Use Instagram More Consciously
You don’t have to delete Instagram – but you can choose how you use it.
- Train the algorithm – or it will train you
Only like, save, and comment on content that truly resonates with you. No pity likes, no endless scrolling out of boredom. - Turn your feed into a source of inspiration
Unfollow anything that makes you feel small. Follow only accounts that bring you peace, joy, ideas, or insight. - Create offline contrast
Spend time every day in nature, cooking, reading, or listening to music – without sharing it online. Not because offline is “better,” but because you are more than content.
Mini Exercise: Five-Minute Digital Detox
- Open Instagram
- Unfollow five accounts that give you a negative feeling
- Follow three accounts that inspire or calm you
- Put your phone away and spend ten minutes without a screen
- This is a quick reset for your nervous system and a first step toward digital clarity.
How do you currently use Instagram?
Share your thoughts in the comments or send me a message.
If you want more content on self-discovery, creativity, and mental well-being, subscribe to my YouTube channel.
Here, you’ll find depth, honesty, and content you can’t just swipe away.en YouTube-Kanal.