how to not get depressed on social media
I just announced that I am back on Instagram after 4 long years being off social media. And while I, to the best of my ability, addressed my reasons to come back, I didn't answer what’s different this time compared to when I quit in the first place. Here's what I do, and suggest you try as well:
1. No app on the phone
The app is not installed on the phone. Access the account only from the desktop browser. Delete cookies every time the tab is closed (use Cookie AutoDelete plugin to automate that), so you need to sign in to each account again. This adds friction and makes you use social media much less.
2. Use Beeper
Use Beeper to sync the conversations from multiple social media accounts into a single messaging app. I have messages from WhatsApp, LinkedIn, Telegram, Instagram, and Facebook all go through Beeper. In this case, I keep in touch with the world while avoiding the rabbit hole of an endless feed.
3. Disable the feed
Disable ads, promotion blocks, and recommendation feeds. I couldn't find any trustworthy plugins for my browser, but I started using SocialFocus. And because I can't trust it (it's not open source, so you can't see what they do with your data), I can't recommend it. But the reviews seem legit, and it works well. Plus, it also has a gray-scale filter that I also use extensively on my phone. After all, the pros outweigh the cons for me.
If you know a better plugin (for Firefox), or are thinking to build an open source one, shoot me a message.
Bonus
If you want to post something, post from the desktop browser. In the worst case, install the app, post the content, sign out and delete the app.