Reclaiming My Focus: Is Instagram Still Worth It?

In a world designed to capture and monetize our attention, maintaining focus has become a daily battle. Reclaiming our attention, focus and energy has become a quiet, yet profound act of defiance.

Five years ago, during the Covid pandemic, I found myself in a similar place—reevaluating what truly served me. One of the changes I made was removing Facebook from my life. At the time, it felt like a relief, a weight lifted. I didn’t miss it and in a way, I felt lighter. Now, I find myself asking the same question about Instagram: Is it still a meaningful addition to my life? Or has it become another massive distraction that leaves me feeling scattered and overwhelmed? A distraction pulling me away from the life I’m intentionally creating.

The Hypnotic Grip of Endless Scrolling

Checking Instagram has become a compulsion and once I start scrolling, it becomes very difficult to stop. It’s like my brain becomes hypnotized. What may begin as a quick check-in easily turns into an unconscious scrolling session, pulling me away from the present moment and scattering my attention across an endless stream of content.

When Inspiration Turns Into Overwhelm

I once loved Instagram for its beautiful and thoughtful photos — it felt inspiring. But over time, it has become increasingly fast-paced, overwhelming, and saturated with noise, negativity, and endless opinions. In my opinion, it’s turning into Facebook in many ways.

The Cost of Constant Distraction

And then there’s the pressure — the unspoken demand to constantly post, create, and tailor content to please the algorithm. It’s exhausting. Whenever I feel pressured by anything or anyone, my instinct is to push back, to resist. How did we lose the joy in the process?

I crave depth, long-form over fleeting captions, beauty over performance. But lately, I’ve come to a realization: Instagram feels more like noise and distraction than a source of beauty, inspiration, or joy.

Choosing Depth Over Noise

That’s why I’ve decided to step away from Instagram for a month. During this time, I want to focus on what truly fulfills and brings me joy — writing, nurturing my dogs, blog, and turning my garden into a masterpiece (big plans coming up!) I also want to dedicate more time to reading books, blogs, and magazines, and find inspiration on Pinterest—content that’s slower, richer, and easier on the brain to ‘digest.’ After that month, I’ll decide whether Instagram still has a place in my life.

I know that, from a practical standpoint, stepping away might not be the “smart” choice. Instagram is tied to my blog, after all. But if I want to create meaningful, intentional work—if I want to live authentically—then I have to stay true to myself. And that means protecting my focus, creativity and my voice.

I will keep you posted!

Love,

Wendy