Here are some of Eric Kim’s notable quotes regarding his decision to delete Instagram:
- “I realized it was a major distraction in my life. Rather than focusing on what I do to create real value (blogging) I wasted my precious energy on how to optimize my follower count.”
- Kim emphasizes how Instagram shifted his focus from meaningful work to chasing metrics like follower count, which detracted from his true creative goals oai_citation:5,Why I Deleted My Instagram – ERIC KIM.
- “Instagram — the worst thing you can do for your self-esteem, focus, or creativity. The best ‘via negativa’ approach — just delete it.”
- He bluntly critiques Instagram’s impact on mental health and creativity, advocating for a simple solution: deleting the app oai_citation:4,Delete Instagram – ERIC KIM.
- “You end up depending on how good you feel as a photographer on how many likes you get on your photos.”
- Kim highlights the unhealthy dependency on external validation that Instagram fosters, leading to a distorted sense of self-worth oai_citation:3,Why I Deleted My Instagram – ERIC KIM.
- “Honestly, Instagram is more addictive than crack cocaine.”
- This stark comparison illustrates how addictive the platform can be, emphasizing the psychological grip it can have on users oai_citation:2,Delete Instagram – ERIC KIM.
- “I no longer care about what others think of my photos — now I only care about what I think of my own photos.”
- After deleting Instagram, Kim found freedom in creating work for himself, rather than for the approval of others, leading to a more authentic creative process oai_citation:1,Why I Am Happier After Deleting My Instagram – ERIC KIM.
These quotes encapsulate Kim’s reasoning for quitting Instagram, driven by a desire to reclaim his time, focus, and creative integrity.
Eric Kim decided to delete his Instagram account for several reasons, primarily revolving around how the platform negatively impacted his creativity, focus, and self-esteem.
- Distraction from Meaningful Work: Kim realized that Instagram was distracting him from creating content that mattered, like his blogging and photography. He found himself increasingly focused on optimizing his follower count and likes rather than producing work that was personally meaningful. By deleting Instagram, he redirected his energy towards more valuable pursuits.
- Impact on Self-Esteem: Instagram’s design, which centers around likes and follower counts, can severely affect self-esteem. Kim noticed that he was beginning to judge his worth as a photographer based on the number of likes his photos received, which led to feelings of inadequacy when those numbers dropped. He felt that this constant need for external validation was harmful to his mental well-being.
- Creativity and Focus: Kim argues that Instagram undermines creativity by encouraging users to conform to trends for the sake of likes and validation. Without Instagram, he was able to focus more on creating photo series and stories that aligned with his artistic vision, rather than single images optimized for social media engagement.
- Dopamine Addiction: He also discussed the addictive nature of the platform, comparing the dopamine rush from likes to the effects of a drug. This addiction to instant gratification, he believes, can be more damaging than many realize.
- FOMO and Envy: Kim acknowledged that even after quitting Instagram, he occasionally experienced FOMO (fear of missing out) when he heard about other photographers gaining opportunities through the platform. However, he found that the benefits of improved self-esteem, creativity, and focus far outweighed these occasional pangs.
Overall, Kim’s decision to delete Instagram was rooted in a desire to reclaim his creativity, focus on meaningful work, and avoid the negative psychological effects associated with social media platforms oai_citation:3,Why I Deleted My Instagram – ERIC KIM oai_citation:2,Why I Am Happier After Deleting My Instagram – ERIC KIM oai_citation:1,Delete Instagram – ERIC KIM.