I do this kind of analysis for a lot of things in my life, so of course I have done it with Instagram, too. You would not want to know what my number is (although one account is for work). What I have noticed through different analysis in time is that the increase in usage, especially the impulsive, excessive kind tends to coincide with a period of turmoil, transition, uncertainty in an area that is pillar to my life. Sometimes it is reflected in how I use instagram, others in how I choose my readings and others in how I eat, among others. So I have not resorted to quitting any of the apps (but I do limit time, make my phone boring, put it away, turn it off and sometimes almost "accidentally" step on it :)), but rather I revisit what exactly is it that I am going through that my brain is looking forward for a dangerous amount of dopamine fixes. Usually it also happens that I dropped some of the good habits (temporarily) like my meditation, training or (real-life) social interactions because I was too busy getting that pillar of life back in order, and the result is a bit of a mess everywhere. Instead of uninstalling the apps (which I do not condemn nor support, it is a personal choice), I reset my internal software and that works 9/10 times.
That's such a good point - how app use can be like a warning system for other things that are going on in our lives (even if sometimes it's just a lack of good books that can compete). Talking about books and reading, I've also figured out that sometimes books take over how I feel and how I react. A bit like as if the things that happen in a book bleed over into my real life and I end up living in a similar headspace. Which means that sometimes I need to very carefully choose the book psychology (fictionwise) that I dive into. More food for thoughts for me :) Thank you!!!!
I do this kind of analysis for a lot of things in my life, so of course I have done it with Instagram, too. You would not want to know what my number is (although one account is for work). What I have noticed through different analysis in time is that the increase in usage, especially the impulsive, excessive kind tends to coincide with a period of turmoil, transition, uncertainty in an area that is pillar to my life. Sometimes it is reflected in how I use instagram, others in how I choose my readings and others in how I eat, among others. So I have not resorted to quitting any of the apps (but I do limit time, make my phone boring, put it away, turn it off and sometimes almost "accidentally" step on it :)), but rather I revisit what exactly is it that I am going through that my brain is looking forward for a dangerous amount of dopamine fixes. Usually it also happens that I dropped some of the good habits (temporarily) like my meditation, training or (real-life) social interactions because I was too busy getting that pillar of life back in order, and the result is a bit of a mess everywhere. Instead of uninstalling the apps (which I do not condemn nor support, it is a personal choice), I reset my internal software and that works 9/10 times.
That's such a good point - how app use can be like a warning system for other things that are going on in our lives (even if sometimes it's just a lack of good books that can compete). Talking about books and reading, I've also figured out that sometimes books take over how I feel and how I react. A bit like as if the things that happen in a book bleed over into my real life and I end up living in a similar headspace. Which means that sometimes I need to very carefully choose the book psychology (fictionwise) that I dive into. More food for thoughts for me :) Thank you!!!!