I'm still hopelessly hooked on social media, but I've found that my time on Instagram is far less than it used to be. These days, I post infrequently, but I still scroll through the feed to see my photography friends, and I enjoy that. Admittedly, there is more junk there than ever, so the returns are diminishing. Thanks for this post, Hannah!
Coming up on 2 weeks for me and I’m mostly in the same situation as you. Also working on reducing time on Reddit but on the plus side at least it’s been local community subreddits I’ve been floating around.
The extra mental energy I can devote to family and friends is absolutely real though.
I just came from this blog (https://lisaolivera.substack.com/p/slowing-downwards) that is virtually validating all your points. I have followed you since before Instagram and will continue to do so after it. As long as you're speaking and sharing your work with the world, I'll be supporting you on. Thank you for letting us in the process and experience. I agree that IG is taking more than it gives. It always had but now I have more to lose than back in 2010.
I wrote down your quote, "Seeing less content these days allows me to move through the day with more peace," on my journal. This has been the biggest observation from stepping away social media. Peace has become my most valuable possession lately. I want to protect it at all costs.
Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts Hannah! The last post I made on my professional ig was Aug 2024, and I only post when I have work to share. That being said, I’m thinking of transitioning to posting new work on Substack instead. I also haven’t felt a big difference in getting work assignments, I actually ended up working on a really fun project and it was all through contact on my website and oddly not ig. It’s refreshing to be away from those little squares and find myself actively reaching out to friends to see what new work they are sharing or I encourage them to send me the link. 🩷
Thank you for also sharing! I find referrals through other photographers and by sending these newsletters/personal emails it's lead to new work. IG has rarely been that for me so it feels nice to move away from it.
Gosh, this makes me thoughtful about taking a break from Instagram. I got off of Facebook in 2017 and it was such a good move. I continue to tell myself I "need" Instagram to market.
Always appreciate the way you openly process your decisions. Thanks for doing that! I find it helpful.
Thank you! I'm glad it's helpful
I'm still hopelessly hooked on social media, but I've found that my time on Instagram is far less than it used to be. These days, I post infrequently, but I still scroll through the feed to see my photography friends, and I enjoy that. Admittedly, there is more junk there than ever, so the returns are diminishing. Thanks for this post, Hannah!
Coming up on 2 weeks for me and I’m mostly in the same situation as you. Also working on reducing time on Reddit but on the plus side at least it’s been local community subreddits I’ve been floating around.
The extra mental energy I can devote to family and friends is absolutely real though.
I just came from this blog (https://lisaolivera.substack.com/p/slowing-downwards) that is virtually validating all your points. I have followed you since before Instagram and will continue to do so after it. As long as you're speaking and sharing your work with the world, I'll be supporting you on. Thank you for letting us in the process and experience. I agree that IG is taking more than it gives. It always had but now I have more to lose than back in 2010.
I wrote down your quote, "Seeing less content these days allows me to move through the day with more peace," on my journal. This has been the biggest observation from stepping away social media. Peace has become my most valuable possession lately. I want to protect it at all costs.
In light of recent events, I have been thinking a lot about taking a break from platforms. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts Hannah! The last post I made on my professional ig was Aug 2024, and I only post when I have work to share. That being said, I’m thinking of transitioning to posting new work on Substack instead. I also haven’t felt a big difference in getting work assignments, I actually ended up working on a really fun project and it was all through contact on my website and oddly not ig. It’s refreshing to be away from those little squares and find myself actively reaching out to friends to see what new work they are sharing or I encourage them to send me the link. 🩷
Thank you for also sharing! I find referrals through other photographers and by sending these newsletters/personal emails it's lead to new work. IG has rarely been that for me so it feels nice to move away from it.
Gosh, this makes me thoughtful about taking a break from Instagram. I got off of Facebook in 2017 and it was such a good move. I continue to tell myself I "need" Instagram to market.
I've told myself this for a long time annnnnnd the fomo kept me there, but it feels good to take this break.
Beautiful art displayed here, and welcome to DC, I live here!
Thank you!
Love how you were open to trying this experiment and what you’ve observed during the month+!!
Thank you <3