My phone just rang and apparently my latest post on Instagram has reached 100 likes!
That feeling of delight is like no other, right? We’ve all felt that joy when our post reaches a certain number of likes or comments, or when a reel hits a certain number of views. I feel so worthy and needed in those fleeting moments.
A lot of the time Instagram is a contributing factor in our moods. But I got to wondering – does it also influence our personality over time? Well, the answer is a resounding ‘yes’.
In this article, I’ve listed 5 of the ways in which Instagram has an effect on the decisions we make and who we are as a person. Read on to know what they are.
1. Boosting Confidence through Positive Validation
Confidence is a big part of any personality and sadly, we have all dealt with the lack of it at some point in our lives. I hope you’re not an introvert like me, otherwise, confidence for you is like a snowstorm in the Sahara.
A lack of confidence stopped me from having conversations which, in turn, ruined both relationships and opportunities for me. Who knows what would have happened in my life if I had just said hello to that someone? Saying yes to hanging out with my colleagues instead of having my lunch alone could have been good for me in several ways, but I guess we’ll never know.
Instagram, however, can help both our personal and professional lives. Having our pictures and videos liked, our comments and captions related to, and our reels getting viral immensely boosts our confidence. Thankfully, you can even buy Instagram reel views and try working on your confidence using that.
2. Encouraging Creativity and Self-Exploration
Instagram is a platform for anyone, to post whatever they want (within the specified guidelines). It gives me freedom to be who I am along with the freedom to express that. That enables me to try new things, and walk new paths.
People get to be creative on Instagram. This is why we see new dance routines, new memes, new vlogs, and new everything every other day. When people get to hear diverse thoughts and see something they’ve never seen before, it inspires them to find something new and original too! Not just in the outside world but underneath themselves also.
Instagram is currently one of the biggest tools for finding new artists and inspirations. All you have to do is open the app and start scrolling!
3. Fostering Connection and Building Empathy
They say you’re the sum total of the five people you hang out with. A connection always teaches you something, whether good or bad. It urges you to have a new outlook on life and make decisions that are different than the ones you would have made before. And if I trust an online space where I can talk to my friends, make new ones and have a sense of community, it is definitely Instagram.
Instagram is an incredible tool for making connections. Being able to see people’s comments, read their opinions, and look up their profiles to know what they are like- these are some helpful features that I used to take for granted. You can buy Instagram likes to increase traffic on your own posts so your reach increases, along with the chances of meeting someone you can relate to.
A community is a shared identity. It means that my pain is everyone’s sorrow and my glee is everyone’s delight. Being a part of a community helped me understand others on a different scale than I do normally and Instagram helped me tremendously with that.
4. Developing a Positive Mindset and Gratitude
I love social media because it lets me peek into other people’s lives. Fine, I’ll accept I’m a bit nosy but hey, aren’t we all?
Also, why won’t I like going on Instagram when it shows me that everyone is happy in some way or the other? One of my childhood friends recently posted a picture of him celebrating his new job. Another posted about eating some delicious food while someone else posted a ton of vacation pictures.
Taking people’s personal or professional wins in the right manner, especially if they are someone I know, gets me thinking that the sky’s the limit. It makes me feel grateful and inspires me to do something good for myself too, if not for personal growth then at least so that I’m able to post it. Extrinsic motivation can sometimes be unconventional but rest assured, it does get the job done.
DO YOU KNOW? The most liked post on Instagram is that of Lionel Messi celebrating after winning the 2022 FIFA World Cup, with 75.1 million likes as of 26th November 2024.
5. Strengthening Your Sense of Purpose and Responsibility
I’ve already talked about how Instagram offers diversity which can lead to inspiration. But do you know what inspiration leads to? Purpose. You could be laying dormant by yourself not knowing what to do but then you see something you’ve never seen before and it inspires you to get going! Suddenly the world is your oyster and the sky’s the limit.
Instagram also keeps you from flying too close to the Sun through constant feedback. That’s what the comment section is all about. Yes, most of the comments are vicious and useless but if you keep a positive attitude about it, you can learn a lot. Through comments, you can find out what you are doing wrong and try not to repeat those mistakes. It prevents you from becoming a victim of your own bad habits and helps you become more responsible as a person.
Conclusion: Instagram as a Tool for Personal Growth
Instagram is often misunderstood as just a means of mindless entertainment. But if properly utilised, with a positive mindset and the objective to grow, it can prove to be a huge asset. Instagram is an easily accessible tool for inspiration and a great platform for self-expression, and it should be used like so!
