5 Straightforward Steps To Declutter Your IG: Here Is How

Now, more than ever, our smartphones have become an essential tool for maintaining real-world relationships. But with a constant flow of hard-hitting news jumbled up with memes and #WFH selfies, our feeds (and minds) are at risk of information overload. This particularly potent virtual cocktail can be overwhelming, not only while we’re still scrolling, but also after we’ve finally managed to put our phones down—a pattern that can rapidly begin to feel like a vicious cycle over just a few days. Our advice? Set aside an hour to spring-clean your digital space to regain a sense of control.

Image source The Atlantic on Google

1. Don’t Regret To Unfollow People

When it comes to how you’re currently receiving news on Instagram, inciting panic should not be confused with raising awareness. We’d advise picking a maximum of 10 verified and trusted local and international news sources to follow. If you’re struggling with the constant flow of state, it’s worth experimenting with the mute button (see point two, below) to enable you to control the times of the day that you’ll be interacting with headlines. When it comes to the accounts you follow for entertainment or inspiration, IG does offer inbuilt tools that can help streamline your feed. For an easy way to monitor who you’re following without having to go through all the accounts, tap on your followers; the first two categories that will pop up are the accounts you have least interacted with and a second category with the accounts most shown in your feed.

2. Social Isolation On Social Media

It might sound obvious, but your approach to social isolation on social media is a matter of personal choice. Some of your closest circle might feel the need to share all the details of your daily routine (not-so-helpful workout or cooking advice included) in an attempt to combat boredom or loneliness, others may share just the news or focus specifically on spirit-raising memes. If you don’t feel comfortable consuming the content your friends are sharing, the mute button offers a breather that causes zero offence. The same goes for IG Stories—mute friends whose digital outlook you don’t align with at the moment.

3. DM Doesn’t Mean You’re Owed An Instant Reply

As we continue to spend more time on our phones, we’re all likely to be over-communicating on social media. While the logic is that you could potentially expect a lightning-fast response to your IG DM, stay mindful. Don’t expect an instant reply to your message and likewise don’t feel guilty about muting or re-filing your DMs to the ‘general’ inbox to allow you to respond at a pre-planned time when you’re in a lighter headspace.

4. It's Okay Not To Be Constant

Sometimes not posting anything to your feed can say more than a small image tile ever could. For some, self-isolation will be about productivity (whether that be on or offline), but for others, it could be about more analogue forms of self-reflection. It’s OK not to be the one posting about the song you just wrote or a beauty look you just mastered.

5. Follow Your Favorite Accounts

Should you feel the need for escapism, a hint of humour or straight-up visual stimulation, I’d advise investigating the accounts that your favourite profiles follow. Be it horticultural hacks for your indoor plant collection, pet memes, light-filled interiors or astronomy, this could be the moment when you grow a new interest IRL. Now, more than ever, our smartphones have become an essential tool for maintaining real-world relationships. But with a constant flow of hard-hitting news jumbled up with memes on our feeds (and minds) are at risk of information overload. This particularly potent virtual cocktail can be overwhelming, not only while we’re still scrolling, but also after we’ve finally managed to put our phones down—a pattern that can rapidly begin to feel like a vicious cycle over a few days. Our advice? Set aside an hour to spring-clean your digital space to regain a sense of control.