Addiction to Instagram reels

Had the same issue with tiktok a while back. Use an app blocker or just put your phone away during work.

Started to scroll on LinkedIn instead. It’s a start I guess.

Linkedin reels >>>

What worked for me was just deleting the app and then using Instagram on Safari. It loads reels so badly that scrolling beyond whatever shows up in your feed is cumbersome.

I had the exact same issue! It started with TikTok, so I deleted the app. Then I moved on to Instagram Reels, so I deleted the Instagram app from my phone and now only use it on safari. Now I’m hooked on YouTube Shorts (as embarrassing as that is).

Worse than a porn addition in my opinion

Deactivating my IG account helped

Just delete Instagram then if you have zero self control, dork. This is not a real world problem and you are a weak person. 

Yea, so I deleted Instagram. Then starting going on Youtube Shorts instead. Realized I was doing the same thing as on Insta but with a worse product, so I deleted Youtube. Then I realized I couldn't watch Youtube videos on my phone. So I reinstalled both to get back to equilibrium. It's a constant struggle.

I have this problem with Twitter/X, but my issue is that I use it on web browser (safari) on my phone so I can't simply delete or block the app. I have tried deactivating my account, but my reptillian brain will just activate it again. If I do manage to abstain I end up doomscrolling on instagram or linkedin

I don't understand how people can be addicted to technology. Just uninstall the app or turn it off. Grow up and get an addicted to coke like an adult.

In case it is hard for you to stop in general, you can also use the time to feed your explore page with inspirational and training reels. Instead of looking at entertaining non value content, you can train the algorithm. Look at tony Robbins' content or fitness / health pages. It takes a bit of time but after a while you only get the good content that helps you in the long run, especially helpful when it is 3am and you use social media to wind down. 

I just began listening to audiobooks instead. Not as visible as doom scrolling at work in office either.

How much does it meaningfully Impact you?

My only real problem is I'll be on my phone scrolling in bed before I fall asleep resulted in significant lack of sleep (I.e. brain becoming goo). My solution is sleeping in a different room as my phone - and using an actual alarm clock instead. Now its a non issue in terms of how I feel on a day to day. 

If you're in the office taking an extra 20 minutes at lunch on your phone and its acceptable with the culture, whatever. If you're doom scrolling on your laptop in meetings, buy a flip phone or get the app everyone here is mentioning.

Mentally weak Gen Z being addicted to freaking instagram 

I used to be in the same spot and this worked pretty well: remove the app from your Home Screen without deleting it. That way you still have it when you need it, but it’s much harder to get to when you’re looking for a quick fix. In my experience you can’t quit social media cold turkey and the blocker apps annoy me, but just putting it slightly further out of reach goes a longer way than you think.

Did you know that if you buy a property in Egypt, they'll give you the property?

Been on a journey to limit phone usage, social media, and instant dopamine as a whole. Someone best described reels and TikTok eating (in this case, consuming) junk food vs. healthy food (which would be working out, reading, typical shit you hear from better yourself influencers).

First, app blockers work, sure. But that’s basically the same shit as you taking advil because your back hurts everyday. You’re putting a band aid over a running faucet in my opinion. You’re in constant need of stimulation, and can’t deal with being bored. That’s okay because almost everybody nowadays is like this from what I can tell (including me).

Despite me still being in undergrad (and take my advice with a grain of salt obviously because I don’t know shit), I can proudly say I’ve limited my phone usage significantly and my life has been better overall in the last year. Here’s what worked for me:

When you wake up, try to not go straight to your phone (I know you probably have an alarm of some sort so that’s fine, but do not do anything on the phone that is NOT needed) Delay using your phone as much as possible throughout the day (shut that mf down). The longer you go without it, the easier it is to resist instant gratification throughout the day. Honestly, I got this from David Goggins (which I am 1/1000 the man of right now), but do some bullshit you don’t want to do everyday. I don’t wanna do Wall Street Prep or read a boring book most days and I’d much rather than play Fortnite or watch Instagram reels (which I do here and there), but I do it because of the outcome. By doing this, you start to build momentum very slowly. It sucks doing some of the mundane task, but once you start to become accustomed to it, it becomes so much easier to do it. Basically, just do at least half the shit Andrew Huberman and other “optimization” influencers say on a daily basis and you’ll be much better off. Before you do any take (at least try this for one day), ask yourself, “Is this going to be a +1 in my life, or a -1?” Obviously, you don’t need to do this when your about to beat your meat or something like that, but this puts you outside your subconscious monkey mind into a conscious state where it’s up to you decide you want want to win or lose from doing an activity.

THIS LAST ONE IS BRAND NEW FOR ME AND I’VE BEEN LOVING IT:

If you can get an Apple Watch Ultra or Apple Watch in general, you can ALMOST replace your phone. If you buy the cellular as well (I think $10 a month), you can text, use maps, call, maybe use Slack? Idk yet on this one, and do most the things a phone can (without the distraction of social media). This allows you to shut down your phone throughout most the day. Shutting down my phone has made me be like, “well fuck me, I’m not waiting 20-30 sections to pull up complete brain rot.” In short, it makes the instant gratification task longer to receive.

Well, that’s all I got. Either give me a lot of monkey shit cause I may be ignorant, but that’s what had helped me so far. Hopefully this can help someone at least (because I know I needed to hear some of this a year or two ago). Best of luck on your journey brother!