I have been on Instagram for several years and this November I decided to take one month off. Instagram is important to me for several reasons. It is a place where I enjoy sharing what I experience in terms of beautiful South of France views, fun events and all the thoughts I have about life, spirituality and wellbeing. It is also a place where I interact with people I have known for several years and people I have recently met. So why a month off now?
As we turned from summer to winter time I got reminded that we will have less daylight for a few months. This offers a natural opportunity for doing less and going more within. I have felt a need for more time for reflection and meditation. I have noticed how easily I spend time on my phone and have had a strong wish to reduce it. The tendency of looking at my phone and pressing the Instagram button had become automatic and I don’t want to live in automatic mode. I want to be alert and aware. I have realised that instead of being fully present as I watch the sun come up, the movement of the waves or the colours of the sea I have a kind of urge to take a picture or video and share it. My thinking behind it? “I can’t be the only one having the experience of this moment this is too good to keep for myself!”
In mindfulness meditation you learn how to notice what you see, the thoughts that come up, emotions that are present and sensations in the body. I have found that going from seeing something and sharing it right away blocks the wholeness of my personal experience. It blocks the tiny, intricate emotions that might come up, the feeling in my chest and deeper in my being. It is as if I withhold some of the space which would allow me to be fully present. Basically, it takes me away from experiencing the fullness of life in that moment.
It has been a long time since I went on a silent meditation retreat. It is a special experience. Everyone who is there spends several days with no distractions at all. There is no internet, tv, music, reading or writing. Or talking. Simply meditations, meals and sleep. Being in that type of environment brings you right back to the core of life. Although it is super challenging to be only with your own thoughts over several days the clarity you get as a result is incredible. No Instagram for one month feels like a mini-mini retreat! It is freeing to be more with myself and step away from the relentless flow of external information.
After November I will probably start sharing many moments again on Instagram but hopefully with a more spacious feel of presence behind it. All I want is to be present. Perhaps you could say I am spending this month to auto-correct and reset. I have noticed so far that I feel calmer within. I know I am doing something good for myself. I am prioritising my own life.
One last thought: Strangely enough it was very easy to stop going on Instagram. This surprised me and I have been wondering why. I have come up with the following: It is not forever so I can relax about it! Also, on a deeper level, I have realised that when you make a change to your daily habits and you know it is needed for you to evolve, then what’s the problem? Here it is: You can stop with anything you want. Anything you feel you are addicted to you can stop right now in this moment. Yes you have got the power.
Maybe there is something in your life you would like to change? Instead of debating for or against it how about just going for it right now? No waiting till Monday.. It is still November, less daylight time and in my view the perfect time to make all the changes you could wish for.
Be brave, live now. Wishing you well! Annette X
