I Quit Instagram For 6 Months—Here's What I Did Instead

So, just weeks after graduation, I made a bold decision: I quit Instagram cold turkey for six months. I knew that if I kept consuming content instead of creating my own life, I’d stay stuck. So, I cut out the digital noise and learned to be truly present. Without the constant pressure to curate and compare, I built better habits, deepened my relationships, and found confidence in who I am—not just how I’m perceived online. And what I gained in return? A complete mindset shift that changed everything.

Thinking about taking a break yourself? Here are 4 ways I spent my time away from Instagram that made my life richer, more productive, and far more fulfilling:

Got a New Library Card

When I was a kid, the library was my happy place. I’d carefully curate a stack of books, eager to lose myself in the new stories the moment I got home. But by high school, that love faded. Social media, school, and life’s distractions took over, and reading for fun became a distant memory. I always told myself I’d get back to it “someday,” but that day never seemed to come—until I quit Instagram.

Suddenly, I had time. Instead of reaching for my phone every spare moment I had, I reached for something better—a library card. Walking into the library again felt oddly nostalgic, like stepping back into a simpler time before endless scrolling took over my life. And let’s not forget—borrowing books is free, a definite perk when you’re on a budget.

Stepping away from Instagram for six months didn’t make my life perfect, but it did make it mine again.

What started as a casual hobby quickly became one of the most rewarding parts of my social media detox. My vocabulary expanded effortlessly, my imagination reawakened, and my creativity flourished. Reading challenged my mind in a way that scrolling never did, and instead of feeling drained, I felt inspired. The best part? My sleep improved! No more blue light keeping me wired at night from staring at a screen until 2 a.m.—just a good book and a full night’s rest.

Perhaps the most unexpected gift of all was how reading reignited my passion for writing. 

It reminded me how much I love storytelling—not just consuming it, but creating it. What started as a nostalgic pastime quickly turned into a creative revival—one that reminded me of who I was long before social media tried to define me.

Walked 10k Steps Per Day 

Of all the habits I picked up during my social media detox, walking quickly became one of my favorites. I’ll admit–I’ve never been one for high-intensity workouts, but I’ve always loved a long walk. And with all the extra time I had after quitting Instagram, I finally made it a daily ritual.

Every morning that summer, just as the sun was rising and the air was still cool, I’d lace up my sneakers and head outside. Some days, I’d pop in my headphones and listen to a podcast, feeding my mind while moving my body. Other days, I walked in silence, letting my thoughts wander through my dreams, goals, and the simple beauty of being present in nature. On many mornings, my Aunt joined me, and our conversations—ranging from deep life talks to lighthearted stories—became something I looked forward to just as much as the movement itself.

Aside from the mental clarity, the physical benefits were undeniable. Walking 10k steps a day helped me maintain a healthy weight while shedding body fat naturally. It strengthened my bones and muscles, proving that movement doesn’t have to be strenuous to be effective. But more than anything, it became my mood booster. Any stress or anxiety I had melted away, replaced by the endorphin rush that only fresh air and movement can provide.

What started as a simple way to get outside turned into something much deeper—a daily reset, a moment to unplug, and a reminder that taking care of yourself doesn’t have to be complicated. Sometimes, the best thing you can do is just put one foot in front of the other.

Grew Closer to my Family

Living at home with my parents post-grad wasn’t exactly the glamorous, independent lifestyle I had imagined for myself. And with my phone constantly in hand, I’ll admit—I was often present without really being present. But without the distraction of Instagram pulling me into other people’s lives, I started paying more attention to the people right in front of me.

Without constant scrolling, my conversations with my parents became deeper and more organic. We talked—not just in passing, but really talked. I learned about their experiences, their pasts, their perspectives on life. I started appreciating their presence in a way I hadn’t before. It’s easy to take your parents for granted when you see them every day, to forget that they won’t always be around. But the more time I spent with them, the more I realized how lucky I was to have them here, now, to share their wisdom with me while I’m still in my early 20s.

Beyond my parents, my relationships with my cousins, friends, and overall community grew stronger. Without my phone acting as a constant barrier, I was more present in my interactions. I had unhurried, meaningful conversations that deepened my connections with the people who truly matter. I laughed more, listened more, and created memories that I know I’ll carry with me for the rest of my life.

It turns out, the relationships that bring the most joy aren’t the ones built through likes and DMs—they’re the ones nurtured through real, in-person moments. And looking back, I wouldn’t trade the time I spent strengthening those bonds for anything, least of all another mindless hour of scrolling.

Learned More About Myself

There’s no bigger cliché than “finding yourself” in your early 20s. We hear it all the time—this is the decade for self-discovery, for figuring out who you are, what you want, and where you’re going. But between the constant noise of social media and the pressure to have it all figured out, it’s easy to mistake external validation for actual identity. When I quit Instagram, I didn’t just log off—I finally had the mental space to explore who I was without the influence of everyone else’s opinions.

Without the constant stream of content telling me what I should be interested in, I gravitated toward what I genuinely enjoyed—reading, writing, and taking long walks outside, not because they were trending but because they actually fulfilled me. Journaling became my outlet, helping me process my thoughts and reflect on the experiences that shaped me. I had the time to really assess my strengths and weaknesses, define my long-term goals, and pinpoint the passions that truly get me out of bed in the morning.

More than anything, I learned that life isn’t meant to be lived through a screen.

I also started asking myself the harder questions—the ones I had been too distracted to face. What kind of life do I want to create? What legacy do I want to leave behind? Who am I when no one is watching? While I don’t have every answer figured out, stepping away from social media made it significantly easier to start getting closer to the person I want to become.

The truth is, you can’t find yourself if you’re constantly consumed with watching other people live their lives. Once I stopped looking outward for direction and started looking inward, I realized that the person I was searching for had been there all along—I just needed to tune out the world long enough to hear her.

Stepping away from Instagram for six months didn’t make my life perfect, but it did make it mine again. I reconnected with old passions, strengthened my relationships, and gained clarity on who I am—without the influence of an algorithm. More than anything, I learned that life isn’t meant to be lived through a screen; it’s meant to be felt, experienced, and truly lived. So, if you’ve been waiting for a sign to log off and rediscover yourself in the real world—this is it. Your feed will still be there when you get back, but trust me, you won’t miss it.