This is my year of enough.
I’ve said often we have enough time for all the things we really want to do and I’ll be writing periodically about ways I bring enough time to my own life.
Post 2 – why we’re all not reading enough
This is post 3 – Instagram
Before, I felt a need to see every single pretty picture of all the people I follow on Instagram.
Not quite that bad, but close.
However, Instagram is as much a rabbit hole as Facebook, blogs, etc.
I love it dearly but I’ve set myself a few rules (I like rules for myself) that I’m sticking to about 98% of the time:
1. I contribute content before I consume it
That means, if I go onto Instagram, it should be to first post my own photos before I start scrolling away.
2. I connect as I consume
It’s not good enough for me to just scroll aimlessly, so I “like” other people’s photos, leave comments and generally use it as a place to connect.
After I post my photo, I check my “news” to see if anyone’s commented on any of my photos that I need to answer. Confession – I’m not great at this yet unless it’s a comment that needs a proper answer.
3. It’s okay if I don’t see everything
I generally give myself 5 – 10 minutes at a time and if I don’t see everyone’s photos, that’s just fine. Strangely, I don’t feel like I’m missing out because I remember the things I want to do in my real life 🙂 and I’m actually asking myself a favourite question of mine, what is the most important use of my time right now?
4. I tell myself this important sentence
“Everybody else dips in and out of your feed; you can do the same” 😉
#truestory
Since I started sticking to my rules, I have more time (duh!) and some days I honestly forget about my phone in my handbag for 5 – 6 hours at a stretch.
It’s totally working!
Do you have rules or policies for your Instagram usage?
Do you find it hard to stay off Instagram, or do you have another social media vice?

I must admit, I am TERRIBLE at connecting. I always have to remind myself to respond to comments etc.
I basically try to limit the amount of times that I go on. Not more than 3 times a day and not for more than 10 minutes or so at a time. I also don’t feel bad if I don’t see everything.
During the week I’m quite disciplined with social media consumption. I switched off cellular data on most things so can only access when I get good wifi. I check Instagram about 3 times during the day – scroll through, comment and like and move on. Twitter and Facebook I check every few days. And I find I’m not commenting on blogs as much as I used to because I do cluster reading every few days and not everyday!!