I Quit Instagram – Should You Too?

Social media. It’s a love/hate relationship, right? For me, Instagram was the platform that had me loving it one moment and hating it the next. In a mad scramble to find the perfect things to say and the perfect pictures to post, I found myself growing mentally and spiritually exhausted. But I chose to endure the internal conflicts and the daily grind in hopes that my goals would be met.

It consumed me.

A few months ago, God finally gave me the open door and the freedom to quit Instagram. He graciously gave me the choice to continue in my self centered obsession or choose the “provided way of escape” from my temptation and my idol (1 Corinthians 10:13).

So I took a leap of faith and quit!

But should you quit Instagram too? Is God calling you to stay in the social media ministry or give Him glory elsewhere?

Why I Decided to Quit Instagram

Instagram is not evil, but my sin nature is. And because of my sinful heart, I needed to let go of the hold I had on Instagram.

It wasn’t all doom and gloom though! Through my time spent on Instagram, I met some wonderful women who love God and have become good friends. I was blessed to lead a Bible study last year composed of women I met on Instagram. And God allowed me to encourage others, laugh with others, and pray for others.

1. I struggled to use it for God’s glory and not my own

But amidst the blessings was my struggle to use Instagram for God’s glory and not my own. Gretchen Saffles of Well Watered Women fully believes that social media has the “potential to be used for good and for God’s glory.” And she’s totally right! But in my heart, I knew I wasn’t fully using it for His glory. For months I wrestled with laying aside my own desires and goals for His, wanting to overcome my heart blockade. It came to the point where the only way I was going to overcome this struggle was to stop doing the thing that was bringing myself glory and not Him.

2. The social media “breaks” only temporarily appeased my struggles

I would take social media breaks every once in a while to realign my heart with God’s and redirect my focus on Him. Each time I returned to Instagarm, I felt equipped to defeat comparison and to ignore the numbers and statistics. This lasted for a couple weeks before I sunk back into the rhythm of checking my notifications to see how many likes, comments, or new follows I had. I internally cried when my followers and engagements fluctuated without consistently growing. 

3. My efforts didn’t bring results… it brought anger

I participated in free seminars, paid to get outside help, and spent hours upon hours planning. I felt like I was doing everything right that all the experts said I needed to be doing. And while my Instagram account was slowly growing, I was becoming more hardened and angry.

4. The amount of time I spent on Instagram was unhealthy

I would find myself pulling up Instagram when I needed to be focusing on something else. It became so much of a distraction that I neglected my blog and other things. The time spent on Instagram was usually not time well spent.

5. Instagram became an idol

My time, my thoughts, and my efforts were constantly on Instagram. I became obsessed with it. Instagram became an idol. And we must “flee from idolatry” (1 Corinthians 10:14).

6. Instagram changed their policies

When Instagram changed their policies around Christmas 2020 to become more invasive (and supposedly “helpful”), I went back and forth about whether I wanted my privacy to be in their hands. My husband kindly pointed out that Google pretty much does the same (and we use it often). But Instagram was taking things a little too far and I was very uncomfortable with the new changes.

7. God gave me the way of escape

I knew God was giving me the way of escape with Instagram’s new policies. He gave me peace that made it possible to say goodbye to the Instagram world. I believed in the lie that I needed Instagram to grow my blog. But God graciously showed me that everything I was doing for Instagram was in my own strength and not His. I needed to remove the very thing that caused me to sin over and over. 

8. I feel so much better: mentally, emotionally, and spiritually

There are definitely aspects of Instagram that I miss. But friend, I have been able to invest so much more time and creativity into my blog. I’ve been less anxious. I’ve been able to devote more time to family and friends. I feel free. I don’t feel addicted anymore. I find myself enjoying the little things God blesses me with throughout the day. I’ve grown more thankful for where God has me because I’m not constantly comparing myself to other women. And most importantly, I’ve been able to spend more time with my Lord and Savior.

Should You Quit Instagram Too?

Quitting Instagram largely depends on where your heart is at. We are all going to struggle with social media at one point or another. It sheds light on our insecurities and our sin. But it’s a tool that can bring light to Jesus.

So ask yourself these questions:

Are you giving God glory through Instagram in your heart? If not, can you bring God glory elsewhere in the time you typically spend on Instagram?

Do you constantly and daily struggle to focus on the why and the Who?

This will always be a struggle for us because of our sin. But if you’re able to consistently (not perfectly) keep Christ at the forefront of what you’re doing on Instagram, then persevere! Living for Him is not an easy thing, we will deal with hardships. “In the world you will have tribulations. But take heart, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).

Is Instagram a tool you’re using for God’s glory or your own?

Is there temptation that, when on Instagram, you can’t overcome?

Would you give alcohol to a healed alcoholic? Or would you continue to participate in something that is causing you to sin over and over? There are times in life when we need to remove ourselves or give up something we desire in order to be in right standing with God. Remember, “God is faithful, and… will also provide the way of escape” (1 Corinthians 10:13). You can take the way of escape He’s providing because of His grace (there may be a handful of different “ways”).

Have you prayed about whether God wants you to quit or not?

Ask Him to show you where He wants you to spend your time. Share with Him your heart and your struggles with Instagram. Ask Him to clearly convict you whether you should persevere or work for Him elsewhere. “Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart” (Psalm 37:4). In other words, spend time with Him that your desires may be aligned with His.

Is Instagram a healthy passion or leave you feeling discontent?

I encourage you to check out this post – “9 Ways to Make Giving Thanks to the Lord a Habit” – to help defeat the ingratitude welling up in your heart due to social media.

Do you actually enjoy Instagram or do you find yourself drained after spending time on the app?

Do you need to take a social media break for a couple weeks? Or have you tried it already and it hasn’t worked?

What are your reasons for being on Instagram?

I encourage you to check out Gretchen’s post about why she won’t quit social media. She made several great points for persevering. You may find the encouragement or answers you need there. 

Other ways to “be social” or market your business/venture if you quit Instagram

You may be on Instagram to grow your venture or to share your life with as many people as you can. Instagram is not the only social media marketing source for your business, blog, or journey. It’s not the only way to share your style or ideas, nor is it the only way to stay in contact with the friends you’ve made. It’s definitely a major player, but you don’t need Instagram.

1. Use Pinterest!
2. Be a guest on someone else’s blog/podcast/site/etc.
3. Be social locally or in online groups (i.e. Facebook groups, Discord groups).
4. Before quitting Instagram, ask for email addresses of those you’d like to stay in contact with.
5. Take part in farmer’s markets.
6. Ask your friends who are still on social media to let their friends know about your business or venture.
7. Use other social media platforms that aren’t causing you to stumble.
8. Use Like To Know It.

Where you will find me elsewhere

Since I quit Instagram, I wanted to share with you where else you will find me other than my blog. Pinterest is one platform/search engine that I’ve been investing more time into. I’ve also created a Twitter account and a Gab Social account. I’m also on Like To Know It. Be sure to follow me there for extra content!

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Instagram left me spent, tired, and spiritually drained. It was a battlefield that God has already won, yet defeated me. Though it has much potential to encourage others and show the world who Jesus is, it’s not right for everyone. If Instagram is causing you to stumble over and over, it may be time to quit. Pray about it, review the questions above, and listen for what God is telling you. If He’s telling you to quit Instagram, boldly obey! If He’s telling you to persevere, boldly persevere in His strength. But most importantly, “whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31).

 

 

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