This is really thought provoking 🤔 I’m taking a break from Instagram whilst I figure out my relationship with it but this has made me consider it from a different perspective. My old Instagram account back in the pre-algorithm days grew at a crazy rate and I mainly used that to create community and make friends, but perhaps I do really need to be just viewing my new account (which has been growing slower than a snail in slow motion) purely as a business marketing tool and showing up to use it as such 🐌
I still love Instagram Sara, thanks to the Insta retreat 🥰. I’m still there seeing beautiful content from inspiring creators and although I didn’t experience the glory days, it’s still my Instajam 😂😂 since the course, I post only what I love and what lights me up, even if no one else ever looks at it, I’d still be happy with it (the same strategy I’m using here too)
I definitely don’t love instagram, at least not all the time BUT I do love my business and I do love my clients so I’m very much ready to throw myself into changing my relationship with Instagram, already on the Insta retreat and really looking forward to starting it this time from the perspective of, ‘How can I enjoy this space’ and use it to connect rather than feel like it’s an unwanted chore at the end of the list of things I’d rather be doing! If I’m going to change the relationship anywhere then it’s going to be here! 🌻🌱🥂
Thank you for such a thought provoking and pragmatic post. As always, what you say makes so much sense, and yet somehow I failed to figure it out myself.... I've had a long break from Instagram, after the worst possible coincidence of events, which made me question very seriously indeed whether I should spend any time at all on social media. But I'd like to get back into it to help promote my business, so I'm going to work through the Insta retreat again this time. x
So much good advice here Sara. I always love Instagram as a source of inspiration, like the perfect magazine in my pocket and use it to find recipes, coffee shops, interiors ideas etc but had fallen out of love with posting. I really missed the connection and community that used to bring me so much joy when I posted and commented on others. I am trying to re-kindle the joy, will keep you posted! 💛
Such great advice! I’m all signed up for Insta Retreat and really looking forward to it and had already wanted to use it to make IG more joyful rather than using it begrudgingly!! Can’t wait to kick off next week 😊
Thank you Sara, this really resonnated with me. Mindset is responsible for so much. I think my positive action/sharing approach took a hit when a friend said "there are only so many ways to show garlic". Gah! Your post (and others), has made me realise that said more about them and that my people might think differently. I'm off to go through a CTFAR right now! Gratefully Lee.
Booo... it's amazing how a single, careless sentence from somebody else's brain can completely derail our own! I'd argue there are INFINITE ways you can show garlic, especially when you're growing, harvesting, storing and cooking with it too! Most people only ever see it at one very specific final stage. Tell me ALL of your garlic stories please Lee! ❤️
Thank you gorgeous Sara, since letting go of this sentence, and it is all very magical to me, my brain has been firing with ideas. Really silly/fun ones at that.🤣🤣🤣 Currently I have a French vignette playing out involving old farmhouses and white dresses, I wonder where that came from...😁
Very interesting, I've given up Instagram as having taken a lenten fast the side effects were decreased irritability and not downturn in new clients or loss of subscribers to my work. I hadn't thought I wasn't enjoying it as I've always loved those squares, I think the stories got a little bit much for me.
It's always so good to test our fear-based predictions that we need to be showing up in a certain way/place/frequency in order to keep the clients coming in. My experience has been that it's never as simple and black-and-white as we expect it to be, and that all the seeds we've planted for our business continue to spring up into new blooms for years after those initial efforts. Glad you're finding increased happiness and freedom. That's the most important thing in it all ❤️
I have one for my business but honestly I rarely use it now... I posted a lot about my work before... and when I go to IG, I dread making stories, highlights, etc... it's weird. It feels like a very competitive environment for me. I do appreciate the goodness that can come from it. Now that I'm reading this post, I am really slowly allowing myself to release from the pressures I feel... just because a lot of people recommend and use IG. As I'm typing this, yup let's be real... IG is probably not for me. Haha.
You've captured it so perfectly! So many of us come to Instagram now because it was recommended, because we feel like we're behind and should have already started, like it's a race where we have to catch up. It's not a good head space to do anything from! It's so sad to see what the platform has become, and how little freedom people feel there is for their creative magic on there now. It's such a delicate thing, our vulnerable creative spark, and we have to protect it and nurture it however we best can ❤️
I dunno, I still feel like I used to love Instagram more. Now, same effort gives massively reduced reach, and I have no desire whatsoever to be involved in short-form video content. I'm curious about the Insta retreat, maybe in the autumn. But if the advice will be "make reels", I won't get much from it 🤔😅
Ha! I sincerely promise to NEVER tell you to just 'make Reels', or indeed to do anything that isn't aligned with you, your work and the ways you want to show up in the world. One-size-fits all strategies rarely fit anyone, in the end. It's definitely hard, especially with the reduced reach making it feel like somebody halved the size of your favourite chocolate bar without changing the price. I'm not denying she used to be easier to love! But I guess what it comes down to is: this is the chocolate bar that's available now. Do you still like the taste enough to buy it as is? And there are no right or wrong answers to that.
Yes! The chocolate bar thing! That's exactly how I feel. I still like Instagram but just don't think I'm getting much back for the effort anymore 🙃 I was sad to see the Insta retreat is changing, as I'd love to join it this time but don't have the time to in this quarter. Also hot a big holiday right in the middle of it 😅 I would like to join an autumn one though if you do decide to run one 😊
Alex, I recently completed the Insta Retreat and the advice definitely was not 'make reels' I promise you. I've struggled always with Insta but the course really helped me appreciate how to create beautiful content for the platform that feels within my comfort zone. And the Lives are brilliant really nurturing
This is such good advice, Sara. You're so right. I've found myself disconnected with it and I definitely lack consistency, but there is still a little place within me that loves it and wants to grow. I guess we just have to keep coming back to that each time we want to quit. I've been feeling the same joy I once felt about Instagram on Substack so have definitely been pouring my time into here more, but I want to get back into Instagram soon. I might just have to do this round of the Insta Retreat! (maybe my 4th time going through it?! Haha) Thanks for this post.
Ah, "but there is still a little place within me that loves it and wants to grow." I resonate with this. Maybe I do like it, and then I don't. And then I don't do anything about it, haha.
Haha yes! Exactly. Or I start to get in a posting mood and then get zero engagement and it fizzles out after a week because it's so disheartening. I just have to power through I guess. Haha
Yes, it is for me. I am new to Instagram and when I first started I was not a fan because the feed was not all relevant . But in Jan/Feb I gave myself a little challenge to post daily until the end of the school year so I'm on it more, and now the feed is much more relevant and inspirational, and I am really using it as source of creative expression. So, I am using it to serve my own immediate needs, and it's working out so far. It's nice to get some feedback on my daily goal of creativity, and that's enough for me for now. I'm not selling anything so I don't know how it will work for that, but I think as long as I see it as a tool that serves my primary interests, I think I can make it work. And if I can't, I'll stop.
Thank you, this is such a helpful post. I have def fallen out of love with it and we've been on a break and then not on a break and we are currently back together but I am def harbouring some resentment that it's not like the good old early days, ha. But you've really made me think with this.
I’ve definitely fallen into a trap of creating too many rules for myself with Instagram. It’s taken all the joy out of it. At the moment I’m not their consistently but when I am posting I try to do so from a place of joy and spontaneity. My account is primarily an art account and I do find that when I’m in a rut with my art practice I tend also to be in a rut with Instagram - I’ve always seen Instagram as an extension of what I’m doing, rather than a “suppose I better take a photo” app.
This was so interesting to read - Instagram's really tired me out these last few months, and pushing myself to be more active on there has definitely been a detriment to my work and mental wellbeing, 🫠 so I'm taking a wee break at the moment and posting mainly old work. I'm trying to figure out what my next steps on it will be because reach and interaction on the platform is proving to be really challenging but it's always such a great source of inspiration and connection with creative communities! 😊
I hear you! Actually, I hear this a LOT in general - you're definitely not alone in this. The problem with pushing is it doesn't really address the source of the resistance, and it takes sooo much extra energy to keep momentum going. Like cycling with the brakes on, right? Sometimes an illuminating question is to ask yourself 'what was i thinking about Instagram back when it felt easy?' and see if you can find a current belief that is similar. I definitely agree that connection, creativity and community are at the heart of that magic for most of us!
Completely agree! Yes, in fact, I've let it affect my work and doubt my ability to create art, which is mainly why I've decided to limit my time on it for now. But in due time I'm hoping to have found the enjoyment I had for it when I first started out :)
I feel there’s a bit of a vicious circle going on, with people getting grumpy about Instagram and engaging less as a result, which then makes everyone even grumpier that they’re not getting the engagement, so everyone engages less, etc. I still enjoy posting but have become rather bored of scrolling through my feed as it feels like no one really wants to be there anymore. This makes me part of the problem too though. I’m planning to do the Insta Retreat again this round and hopefully recapture some of the old joy!
This is really thought provoking 🤔 I’m taking a break from Instagram whilst I figure out my relationship with it but this has made me consider it from a different perspective. My old Instagram account back in the pre-algorithm days grew at a crazy rate and I mainly used that to create community and make friends, but perhaps I do really need to be just viewing my new account (which has been growing slower than a snail in slow motion) purely as a business marketing tool and showing up to use it as such 🐌
Yes I totally relate to this. I def think I need a mindset shift now, having read this blog post!
I still love Instagram Sara, thanks to the Insta retreat 🥰. I’m still there seeing beautiful content from inspiring creators and although I didn’t experience the glory days, it’s still my Instajam 😂😂 since the course, I post only what I love and what lights me up, even if no one else ever looks at it, I’d still be happy with it (the same strategy I’m using here too)
I definitely don’t love instagram, at least not all the time BUT I do love my business and I do love my clients so I’m very much ready to throw myself into changing my relationship with Instagram, already on the Insta retreat and really looking forward to starting it this time from the perspective of, ‘How can I enjoy this space’ and use it to connect rather than feel like it’s an unwanted chore at the end of the list of things I’d rather be doing! If I’m going to change the relationship anywhere then it’s going to be here! 🌻🌱🥂
Thank you for such a thought provoking and pragmatic post. As always, what you say makes so much sense, and yet somehow I failed to figure it out myself.... I've had a long break from Instagram, after the worst possible coincidence of events, which made me question very seriously indeed whether I should spend any time at all on social media. But I'd like to get back into it to help promote my business, so I'm going to work through the Insta retreat again this time. x
So much good advice here Sara. I always love Instagram as a source of inspiration, like the perfect magazine in my pocket and use it to find recipes, coffee shops, interiors ideas etc but had fallen out of love with posting. I really missed the connection and community that used to bring me so much joy when I posted and commented on others. I am trying to re-kindle the joy, will keep you posted! 💛
Such great advice! I’m all signed up for Insta Retreat and really looking forward to it and had already wanted to use it to make IG more joyful rather than using it begrudgingly!! Can’t wait to kick off next week 😊
SO glad to have you on board Nic! Bring on the Insta joy (AND the insta growth)! It's like social media spring cleaning! 🌷
Thank you Sara, this really resonnated with me. Mindset is responsible for so much. I think my positive action/sharing approach took a hit when a friend said "there are only so many ways to show garlic". Gah! Your post (and others), has made me realise that said more about them and that my people might think differently. I'm off to go through a CTFAR right now! Gratefully Lee.
Booo... it's amazing how a single, careless sentence from somebody else's brain can completely derail our own! I'd argue there are INFINITE ways you can show garlic, especially when you're growing, harvesting, storing and cooking with it too! Most people only ever see it at one very specific final stage. Tell me ALL of your garlic stories please Lee! ❤️
Thank you gorgeous Sara, since letting go of this sentence, and it is all very magical to me, my brain has been firing with ideas. Really silly/fun ones at that.🤣🤣🤣 Currently I have a French vignette playing out involving old farmhouses and white dresses, I wonder where that came from...😁
Very interesting, I've given up Instagram as having taken a lenten fast the side effects were decreased irritability and not downturn in new clients or loss of subscribers to my work. I hadn't thought I wasn't enjoying it as I've always loved those squares, I think the stories got a little bit much for me.
It's always so good to test our fear-based predictions that we need to be showing up in a certain way/place/frequency in order to keep the clients coming in. My experience has been that it's never as simple and black-and-white as we expect it to be, and that all the seeds we've planted for our business continue to spring up into new blooms for years after those initial efforts. Glad you're finding increased happiness and freedom. That's the most important thing in it all ❤️
I have one for my business but honestly I rarely use it now... I posted a lot about my work before... and when I go to IG, I dread making stories, highlights, etc... it's weird. It feels like a very competitive environment for me. I do appreciate the goodness that can come from it. Now that I'm reading this post, I am really slowly allowing myself to release from the pressures I feel... just because a lot of people recommend and use IG. As I'm typing this, yup let's be real... IG is probably not for me. Haha.
Wonderful post, thank you darling! x
You've captured it so perfectly! So many of us come to Instagram now because it was recommended, because we feel like we're behind and should have already started, like it's a race where we have to catch up. It's not a good head space to do anything from! It's so sad to see what the platform has become, and how little freedom people feel there is for their creative magic on there now. It's such a delicate thing, our vulnerable creative spark, and we have to protect it and nurture it however we best can ❤️
I dunno, I still feel like I used to love Instagram more. Now, same effort gives massively reduced reach, and I have no desire whatsoever to be involved in short-form video content. I'm curious about the Insta retreat, maybe in the autumn. But if the advice will be "make reels", I won't get much from it 🤔😅
Ha! I sincerely promise to NEVER tell you to just 'make Reels', or indeed to do anything that isn't aligned with you, your work and the ways you want to show up in the world. One-size-fits all strategies rarely fit anyone, in the end. It's definitely hard, especially with the reduced reach making it feel like somebody halved the size of your favourite chocolate bar without changing the price. I'm not denying she used to be easier to love! But I guess what it comes down to is: this is the chocolate bar that's available now. Do you still like the taste enough to buy it as is? And there are no right or wrong answers to that.
Yes! The chocolate bar thing! That's exactly how I feel. I still like Instagram but just don't think I'm getting much back for the effort anymore 🙃 I was sad to see the Insta retreat is changing, as I'd love to join it this time but don't have the time to in this quarter. Also hot a big holiday right in the middle of it 😅 I would like to join an autumn one though if you do decide to run one 😊
Alex, I recently completed the Insta Retreat and the advice definitely was not 'make reels' I promise you. I've struggled always with Insta but the course really helped me appreciate how to create beautiful content for the platform that feels within my comfort zone. And the Lives are brilliant really nurturing
Thanks Rachel, I'm very much considering joining it later this year 😊
LOVED having your joyful self in the class Rachel. Really hope you'll be around in future calls and groups too!
This is such good advice, Sara. You're so right. I've found myself disconnected with it and I definitely lack consistency, but there is still a little place within me that loves it and wants to grow. I guess we just have to keep coming back to that each time we want to quit. I've been feeling the same joy I once felt about Instagram on Substack so have definitely been pouring my time into here more, but I want to get back into Instagram soon. I might just have to do this round of the Insta Retreat! (maybe my 4th time going through it?! Haha) Thanks for this post.
Ah, "but there is still a little place within me that loves it and wants to grow." I resonate with this. Maybe I do like it, and then I don't. And then I don't do anything about it, haha.
Haha yes! Exactly. Or I start to get in a posting mood and then get zero engagement and it fizzles out after a week because it's so disheartening. I just have to power through I guess. Haha
Haha, ahhh... this makes me ugly chuckle. Glad it's not just me. 🤪
Yes, it is for me. I am new to Instagram and when I first started I was not a fan because the feed was not all relevant . But in Jan/Feb I gave myself a little challenge to post daily until the end of the school year so I'm on it more, and now the feed is much more relevant and inspirational, and I am really using it as source of creative expression. So, I am using it to serve my own immediate needs, and it's working out so far. It's nice to get some feedback on my daily goal of creativity, and that's enough for me for now. I'm not selling anything so I don't know how it will work for that, but I think as long as I see it as a tool that serves my primary interests, I think I can make it work. And if I can't, I'll stop.
Thank you, this is such a helpful post. I have def fallen out of love with it and we've been on a break and then not on a break and we are currently back together but I am def harbouring some resentment that it's not like the good old early days, ha. But you've really made me think with this.
I’ve definitely fallen into a trap of creating too many rules for myself with Instagram. It’s taken all the joy out of it. At the moment I’m not their consistently but when I am posting I try to do so from a place of joy and spontaneity. My account is primarily an art account and I do find that when I’m in a rut with my art practice I tend also to be in a rut with Instagram - I’ve always seen Instagram as an extension of what I’m doing, rather than a “suppose I better take a photo” app.
This was so interesting to read - Instagram's really tired me out these last few months, and pushing myself to be more active on there has definitely been a detriment to my work and mental wellbeing, 🫠 so I'm taking a wee break at the moment and posting mainly old work. I'm trying to figure out what my next steps on it will be because reach and interaction on the platform is proving to be really challenging but it's always such a great source of inspiration and connection with creative communities! 😊
I hear you! Actually, I hear this a LOT in general - you're definitely not alone in this. The problem with pushing is it doesn't really address the source of the resistance, and it takes sooo much extra energy to keep momentum going. Like cycling with the brakes on, right? Sometimes an illuminating question is to ask yourself 'what was i thinking about Instagram back when it felt easy?' and see if you can find a current belief that is similar. I definitely agree that connection, creativity and community are at the heart of that magic for most of us!
Completely agree! Yes, in fact, I've let it affect my work and doubt my ability to create art, which is mainly why I've decided to limit my time on it for now. But in due time I'm hoping to have found the enjoyment I had for it when I first started out :)
I feel there’s a bit of a vicious circle going on, with people getting grumpy about Instagram and engaging less as a result, which then makes everyone even grumpier that they’re not getting the engagement, so everyone engages less, etc. I still enjoy posting but have become rather bored of scrolling through my feed as it feels like no one really wants to be there anymore. This makes me part of the problem too though. I’m planning to do the Insta Retreat again this round and hopefully recapture some of the old joy!