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Wednesday, 30 Nisan, 5784
  |  May 8, 2024

I Spent a Year Off Instagram. Here Are My Conclusions

From the COLlive inbox: Busy with a medical situation, Danit Schusterman of Crown Heights noticed that she hadn't visited Instagram in a while. She decided to keep off the social media app and now presents the conclusions of her experience. Full Story

Illustration photo by Gabrielle Henderson

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Wonderful article
July 8, 2023 9:38 pm

I like the statement: its MY job and MY work. And remember its YOUR LIFE! what you make from it, the fruits of your labor will be seen later years in life. With your spouse kids and most yourself. Social media is great for growth in learning since no one is ready to teach you readily or openly. But dont forget to inhale and exhale G-d’s wonderful world!

For almost all people
Reply to  Wonderful article
July 9, 2023 10:46 am

Social media causes more harm than good

And unfortunately some of the harm it causes is devastating both for the person, and those around them, on physical and spiritual levels

Wanna do the same iyH
July 8, 2023 10:01 pm

Loved that. So relatable.
Thanks for sharing.
I do sometimes find that the inspiration I encounter on Instagram (eg parenting advice) is so hashgacha pratis and just what I needed to hear but I guess Hashem can provide that inspiration through various means without cluttering my mind or distracting myself from the present ..

Great article
July 8, 2023 10:43 pm

Love this so much ! Thanks for sharing

On point!
July 8, 2023 11:01 pm

Thank you for writing this! I needed to hear this to ground me and help me feel more present. Social media is a huge distraction for me. So on point!

I relate so much!!!
July 8, 2023 11:29 pm

I feel like I wrote this! It’s exactly what happened to me! 4 years later! I don’t regret deleting the app from my phone! Ty Danit for sharing this! So so important and needed 🙏🏻

Mrs chanie Rodal
Reply to  I relate so much!!!
July 9, 2023 6:45 am

I did the same I have the account but hardly feel the need to go on. Thanks for sharing so important for today’s generation!!

Thanks for the inspiration
July 8, 2023 11:38 pm

I am shockingly addicted , I can say ok I am not going on for a few hours and then 3 minutes later I’m back on

Same here
Reply to  Thanks for the inspiration
July 9, 2023 12:47 am

Addicted to WhatsApp and IG

whatsapp not as addicting as IG
Reply to  Same here
July 9, 2023 9:01 pm

at least whatsapp youre keeping in touch with people. Instagram is a bottomless pit and causes more harm than good and often jealousy

Thank you!
July 9, 2023 12:23 am

No matter how great the parenting advice -your kids need you at the bus stop, dr office and park

No matter how exciting it is to be out with your spouse or child , if you’re busy posting about it-you’re out with your phone

No matter how great your teaching material , if your phone is on the table , the kids feel you are not fully present for them.

We live ONCE stop wasting precious time!!

So true
July 9, 2023 1:07 am

Just deleted Twitter thanks for the wise words so true

Wake up!
July 9, 2023 2:13 am

Please don’t let your phones and social media take over your life!

social media is dangerous for our teens
July 9, 2023 4:18 am

Social media is incredibly dangerous for teens! It can cause them so many terribly psychological problems and has even led to suicide, G-d forbid may Hashem save us!!!!! Stop lying to yourselves that “smart” phones are kosher, G-d forbid!!!! They are NOT!!! Not from a medical or health perspective, and not from a spiritual or psychological perspective! Imagine our poor teenagers whose brains are not even fully developed!!!! We need to beg Hashem for mercy. The teens are using “smart” phones/social media because the adults and Rabbanim are using them!!!! Ad mosai! I know it’s the challenge of our generation,… Read more »

First paragraph
Reply to  social media is dangerous for our teens
July 9, 2023 11:35 am

I think you failed to read the first paragraph. This is not THAT article.

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Reply to  social media is dangerous for our teens
July 10, 2023 6:26 pm

Or maybe, like, may be that one can control themselves. As long as you have a phone and the phone doesn’t have you then you’re good. Another thing, I’m speaking as an ex-addict to IG, ex. p*** addict. Filters don’t do anything. Currently my phone is still unfiltered. And guess what? If someone wants to control themselves… Take a step back. If you have an issue with your phone, you’re spending way too much time on it. If you want to control youself, you need to come to a conscious understanding and agreement with yourself – on what you have… Read more »

Same!
July 9, 2023 7:37 am

I removed the app recently and feel like I have a clearer mind! I have in person relationships… Its incredible!

Never did
July 9, 2023 8:29 am

I never got the attraction to IG maybe an an old geezer
I have so much of my own life I don’t need anyone elses

That's so amazing
Reply to  Never did
July 9, 2023 10:47 am

These things are destructive

Love being a busy old geezer
Reply to  Never did
July 9, 2023 8:41 pm

Me too!

I did the same
July 9, 2023 9:19 am

I did the same for about half a year already. It’s made a nice change in my life as I have more time to learn. But I do miss seeing my niece and nephew on IG

100%
July 9, 2023 9:54 am

I did the same about a year ago!
I do not feel like I am missing out on anything!
I have a much clearer head- I can more easily tune into my inner voice which is the most powerful tool!

This article applies to more than Instagram
July 9, 2023 10:51 am

Get off the phone and get into your real life that is passing you by each day

Don’t kosherize it in your mind

Very few people can properly control it

It’s usually controls people and the things we see and hear have a powerful effect, going get deep into our senses. Guard what you allow in

Well said
Reply to  This article applies to more than Instagram
July 10, 2023 12:19 pm

Thank you!!!

Thank you
July 9, 2023 11:12 am

This article just made me delete Twitter.
Thank you for sharing

In moderation
July 9, 2023 11:16 am

All in moderation

Ty for message
July 9, 2023 1:30 pm

Ty for your candid down-to-earth and non-preachy message!
My Achilles heel is Twitter. Can’t bring myself to delete it, but at least, I moved the app icon to a different and further homepage, which has helped considerably. At least it’s not staring me in the face all the time anymore.

Didn't want to be tested and fail
July 9, 2023 4:55 pm

SInce no person can control themselves, i in the first place , I CHOOSE NOT TO EVEN download the app and be tested. Bc once we start, it becomes difficult to stop.

written so well
July 9, 2023 7:26 pm

Everything you said was realy relatable. So true!!! thank you for sharing.

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