Taking a break from Instagram? It can be done! A healthy approach to using social media

Do social media professionals have to be online all the time outside of work as well? I made the test and it turned out that taking a four-week break from Instagram doesn’t immediately result in losing all your followers. Plus, it can clear your head quite a bit to make room for new ideas.

Strategies to combat Covid boredom

With coronavirus occupying our thoughts and all of us being in lockdown, I’ve been on social media what feels like 24/7. Ok, I admit I’m online more or less all the time anyway, simply because that’s part of my job as social media manager at TÜV Rheinland.

Common sense would suggest that I shouldn’t spend my free time online as well. To be perfectly honest, this would be quite hard for me right now given the lack of opportunities for spending my leisure time in any other way. Last year, I read about 25 books, Spotify tells me that I listened to 9,891 minutes of podcasts – and I’m starting to run out of stuff to watch on Netflix and the like. I admit that I am quite bored right now.

A four-week break – just like that

The problem with being online all the time is that there is really nothing new in these times. With no one. Not even on social media. And that bores me. This is why I took a four-week break from social media and my Instagram account in December. A decision that runs contrary to all industry recommendations: You can’t take a break on Instagram, they say. If you’re not active 30 minutes before and after posting something, the algorithm will punish you!

Still, I just did exactly that: take a break.

No content for four weeks. Except for one post announcing that there will be this break and two stories.

Here’s what I did instead:

I asked myself which people and accounts I would be missing.
I removed all accounts that annoy me.
I stopped comparing myself to others.
I got some fresh air into my head.
I recharged my batteries.
I asked myself where my life journey would take me in 2021.

Here’s what I learned:

Taking a break is good for you.
I only lost 20 followers (which is completely normal given daily fluctuations).
Logically, my interaction rate and reach plummeted because I wasn’t sharing any new content.
NEVERTHELESS, people found their way to my profile – and that is what really counts.

How do I know all this? Instagram Analytics are only displayed to users with business profiles. Private accounts can only see these figures: number of subscribers, number of interactions such as likes and comments, or who viewed the story. However, even a private account for street art, for example, can use a business account.

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What matters

So the break wasn’t bad at all in terms of numbers. I then asked myself thoroughly: what are the things that mattered to me on social media over the past few months? To me as a human being. I’d like to share the insights I gained with you next week.

Author

Viktoria Kux

Social Media Manager

Whether it’s a new photo for Instagram, a video for YouTube, or a strategic concept, her work is all about social networking. Not only at work, but also in her private life, she is very active. Between a newly built house, the desire to travel and sports, there is no room for boredom.