I don’t want to belabor a point but social media has been such a bore lately. Every time I scroll through I immediately wonder what happened to the fun Instagram I once knew. I am so sick of how quickly things burn out in this absurdly fast-paced world. Blogs were neat and then a dime a dozen. Instagram seemed like the fun new venture and then affiliate links and highly curated feeds took the fun away. I can’t even get into Snapchat or any other app because I am too old to learn them. So, what now? I don’t want to throw the towel in on Instagram because it’s a fun quick way to stay in touch but I also don’t want to add to the boring. I have been asking myself how I can keep having fun with it without getting sidetracked by all that I hate about it and I have come up with my solution.
I am going to just keep it simple. Stop scrolling through feeds I don’t appreciate and start searching out ones that feel genuine and fresh. I will not force a posting schedule upon myself because I think that’s a big part of the turn off for readers. Everyone’s got a gimmick or pitch or angle and it just. gets. old. I want to share things with you guys for the same reason I started a blog years and years ago…I like talking about design and I like sharing my ideas. There’s no sense in forcing myself to have something to say or share every day. If I do, great. If not, great too!
I am also going to not think outside the box because then I just feel like I’m trying too hard. I am going to share my favorite deals and little peaks into my house or client projects. When I am brain dead I won’t try to come up with some cute caption or something deep to say about subway tile. And I will keep trying to keep it real. InstaStories are a fun way for me to share my life and the daily, unedited moments so maybe you will check in with me there too.
I don’t know how to fix a world that is fixated on what’s next and what’s cool and what makes a real #bossbabe but I do know how to share what comes into this brain of mine so that’s what I will do. But, I want to know from y’all- all two of you that read blogs anymore- what do you want to see from me? What’s your favorite type of post here or on social? I feel like you can find info on any design dilemma just by searching Pinterest so I am not trying to reinvent the wheel here. Quick tips? Good deals? Reveals only?? What say you?
I love this online world even though so much of it feels foreign from the one I began in back in 2010 and I know that I still have a handful of you who aren’t looking for the next big thing but just good ole simple design tidbits so thank you! I am going to spend this week (on Insta) trying to bring some of the spark back by highlighting my favorite accounts to follow. I am focusing on the ones who really keep things interesting and fresh and never seem to get swept up in all the other BS. And, I want to hear from you guys- who do you love? Which accounts am I missing?? Where’s the best inspiration? Let’s work together to #makeinstagramfunagain 🙂
Cassie Bustamante says
A-FREAKING-MEN! that’s all.
Brenna@Domestic Charm says
I am so with you Beth! Gosh, I’ve been thinking it for a long time….. glad someone else had the guts to say it!
Jani says
You just articulated why I love insta-stories so much before I even realized the reason! Insta used to be behind the scenes, quirky, quick deals, snapshots. Now it’s all perfectly styled (#guilty!) and lit and professionally shot. But instastories are where most bloggers I follow still keep it a little more real and where I share the day to day as well. ?????? Thanks for pointing it out.
Carrie says
This resonates with me. This year I quit 90% of what I had been doing. Everything from coffee to Facebook to my multiple sidehustles. Instagram has never really taken off for me, but I’ve chosen not to be discouraged by that and instead believe that allows me the freedom to post whatever the heck I want. As for your blog, I love seeing how you use things and hearing feedback about what works/looks good in person/etc. It’s enormously helpful when I am designing for clients (although I’m also not doing any of that right now either).
Stephanie says
Amen. I’ve been unfollowing a bunch of Instagram feeds because they feel unoriginal/inauthentic/impersonable and generally too commercial. Some design feeds are useful in an aspirational kind of way (e.g. Lauren Liess, Amber Interiors), but most are too far removed from my real life to be helpful or even interesting. But I like following along on your Instagram and blog for ideas and images that are inspiring in their attainability. Love seeing products you like (I’ve actually bought a couple of things I’ve seen on your blog, so thanks!), product round-ups, and before and afters. I’m in total support of keeping it simple.