Instagramaholic.

 Hi, my name is Mikayla Ellison and I am an Instagramaholic.

There is something a little addicting to me about editing my photos in such a cool way by the click of a button. It's so easy, and I like the way it makes my photos look. I also like looking at everyone else's photos and seeing what they're up to. But this little addiction has caused me to start doing something I have previously been guilty of doing on Facebook: comparing myself to others. It's so hard not to do on these social networking sites! Seeing such fun pictures on Facebook or Instagram sometimes cause me to have thoughts such as, "Wow, I wish my life was as exciting as theirs" or "I wish I could go on a fun trip somewhere", or "I wish I was eating that for dinner" (I still don't understand why people always post so many pictures of food on this app). It's really a shame, because obviously only the best/most fun times are what get captured and posted, not the other mundane, not-so-good times. Pictures on Facebook and Instagram don't accurately represent reality. I know this, but it's still hard to not subconsciously make comparisons. I have noticed that it makes me less appreciative of my life and somehow numbs me to overlook the blessings I have received in my life. It's not okay!

It is awesome that we can share our lives so easily through the use of media, but I need to be careful not to focus more on other people's lives than my own. I could instead spend that time improving things in my own life or even serving others! For this reason, I think I significantly decrease the amount of time I spend on this app. Or better yet, I should just delete it. I can't decide. My hipster edited photos are probably not worth the toll it takes on my daily attitude. Hm.....