I think everyone as a society can agree that 2020 has been a whirlwind of events and emotions. Less than three months ago schools were still in session and Walmarts were still open 24 hours a day.

It feels like every time we catch our breath and settle into some kind of normalcy, something new comes up and flips our life upside down. We consistently have to form an opinion, collect ourselves, and keep a smile on during it all.

It is our RESPONSIBILITY to ourselves that we do whatever means necessary to take care of our hearts and our minds.

For me, social media is a light-hearted place (for the most part). I laugh at memes my friends send me and I'm informed about what others are up to. But after weeks of body shaming, controversy, and hate on Instagram, I deleted it from my phone.

I told my close friends that I had decided to delete it since it was a main source of communication for us. At first, I was worried they would think I did it for attention, but over the first few days, I realized just how desperately I needed it gone. I put an app I never used in its place, and I found myself opening that app constantly, realizing moments later that I clicked it on accident. I've now started to make lists of things I have time to do because I'm making a constant effort to stay away from those apps.

I have no idea why I used Instagram so frequently. It almost feels like there's a pressure or pull to see what other people are doing not because I care, but because I need to have something to compare to my own life. Talk about toxic behavior!

I hope and pray that when I decide to download Instagram again, I can look at it much less often and be less focused or affected by the things I see. Nothing, absolutely nothing is worth destroying your mental health over. Our lives are so precious; observing other people live their lives shouldn't negate from the value of yours.

This experience was definitely difficult, but it definitely opened my eyes, but at the same time I expected it to. Hopefully, this inspires someone to try a break from social media or at least pay attention to what their mental health requires over this confusing time.

Our minds and hearts deserve to be taken care of.