top of page

I Almost-Completely Ditched My Instagram App And Here's What Happened: Reducing time on instagram is saving my creativity.

*What does "almost-completely" ditching your instagram app mean?? Let me explain...


I recently tore my ACL. This has given me plenty of couch time that I'm not used to.


The first few days that I was laid up, I found that my instagram time shot waaaay up.


Way too much for my liking - especially becuase it's one of my passions to inspire people to create less screen time and more playful imagining time in their lives.


But I can't just completely give up instagram. I use it to let people know about my shows and offereings, and have actually booked work because of showing up on the platform.


But I decided I needed to somehow give myself guardrails other than the very weak "You've Reached Your Time Limit" reminders that I've set for myself in instagram. Given the time and opportunity, I all too often fall into the trap of just bypassing that lil' note.


So, here's what I did for reducing time on instagram during my injury recovery time:

  • I grabbed my old iphone that still works for apps and messaging when connected to the house WiFi.

  • I reinstalled and booted-up the instagram app on that phone.

  • I then removed the app from my current iphone

  • I keep the old iphone on top of the refridgerator and only use it sparingly to add to my stories or if I am creating a reel

  • I schedule all of my "static" (non-reel) posts on my laptop in my Meta Business dashboard

  • The few times that I've been out to perform since my injury, I simply reinstall instagram on my current iphone so I can do real-time stories. Then, when I get home I remove it from my current phone once again. And that helps in reducing time on instagram!


What's come of this change, which has reduced time on instagram even lower than pre-injury?


I'm thinking with more clarity


I'm less likely to dread starting a task


I'm way less distracted as I work on a task- I can jus tstart it and get it done without 16 micro breaks


I get more little to-do's done in my day cause I'm actually remembering them and not being overwhelemed by them


But, most importantly - I'm having waaaaaayyyyyy more imaginative thoughts, because I'm not thinking as much about turning everything into a reel. I'm just hobbling out to the backyard to sit and... be... for a little bit; seeing a cat-like shadow behind the kids' playhouse and imagining what the cat might look like, noticing the shape of the clouds, suddenly have a very exciting creative idea for a super fun photo and storytelling workbook that I could maybe create!


To be honest, for being a creativity specialist and professional... instagram was kinda killing my playfulness and drive to make things.


I'm glad I ditched instagram on my main phone. I hope this inspires you to think about way to make space in your day for creative thinking!



Bubbles float through the air outside with a background of green trees
Time and space freedom to be playful and creative


Want to make creative space in your day but don't know where to get started? Listen to my podcast called The Fairy Tale Art Cart!

It's a draw-along-podcast where you get to be the illustrator of the stories you're listening to! All you need is a way to listen and a few simple art supplies, and you'll be on your way to creativity with stories, music, and drawing prompts that will get you're imagination fired up! It's available on Apple Podcast and Spotify


Comments


Featured Posts
Recent Posts
Archive
Search By Tags
Follow Us
  • Facebook Basic Square
  • Twitter Basic Square
bottom of page