You spoke directly to me. I only had a personal instagram profile, but I cam tell you that for the longest time after the pandemic I stopped interacting on both instagram and Facebook. Facebook especially. I felt paralyzed on social media, it gave me anxiety, as everyone felt so divided and I was worried about confrontation. Gradually I've started interacting on instagram more again, but Facebook I only scroll through now and then, with very, very minimal interaction. I've missed sharing my writing and photography though, so a few month ago I started sharing more on instagram, while keeping it a private account, and recently I started a substack account and am slowly coming out of my shell again, and may open up my instagram to pair with my substack. Your words made so much sense. Thank you for sharing.
Hello Breanne. I don’t have the same relationship with Instagram as you do. I never quite got it, but I do have some thing to add to your question of whether it’s worth it to keep writing.
I am a certified hypnotist who specializes in regression. The following is a journey I took into interlife to ask the question of whether my writing was making a difference. Perhaps this might inspire you to keep going even when you don’t get feedback. I understand you’re looking for income, so perhaps irrelevant, but I was inspired to share it with you.
I just read @LisaHensley 's post about leaving IG (https://open.substack.com/pub/lisahensley/p/i-quit-instagram-again?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=b5rlp) and I realized something. On social media and especially IG if i enjoyed the content I was consuming I felt obligated to comment to help out their algorithm, but I also felt like the comments I received from the OP were probably just written just out of duty to appease the algorithm; a give-and-take situation of sorts. I am sure that wasn't universally true, but I wasn't confident that I was getting genuine responses simply because of the way the app was designed, and that made me not even want to comment something meaningful when an emoji would appease the algorithm.
Another element to my silence is that I take time to process and come to my genuine reponce. With social media, especially apps that make it hard to find previously viewed content, it takes alot of intention and determination to come back and share my response once it has risen to the surface. Then there is the fear that my faulty fingers would mistype and that I would get torn to shreds because of typo or some misunderstanding.
The internet connects us broadly but not deeply. I really value looking someone in the eye as they tell their story to let them know they are heard and valued. I feel like the black and white characters we have to work with so limit our ability to connect as humans.
Breanne, your work and your words have been light and breath for me. I am so grateful that I found your Instagram and that it brought me to HSS and finally here.
P.S. Breanne, your comment and Dm responses always felt genuine! That reminds me of when I accidentally video called you over IG (I had no idea that was a function) and you so graciously picked up and said hello. Me and my boy had a moment with you and your boy.
I agree with this so much, and I'm having all the same thoughts. I have a huge (organically built!!) Instagram following - supposedly. But it feels like they're just no longer seeing my work anymore. My engagement is strikingly low.... It has me wondering what to do. And I'm not sure if I fit here on Substack or not, since I'm technically not a writer but a visual artist and mindful art coach. I enjoy writing, but I don't know how to make it fit. I'm confused, and I'm also very frustrated with Instagram and the way it's changed. It's sad to me that I worked so hard for so many years and now it's almost like I'd never put all that effort into building that space - not totally, because SOME people are still there and still interacting (and for their interaction, I'm so grateful) but it's not at all like it used to be.
Your words echo so many of my recent feelings about Instagram, so thank you for sharing them! It's very quiet on Insta for me, too. More than it's ever been. I still love sharing there, I just love the format of images with words tied to them. I've just adjusted my perspective in regards to using it for business/writing platform expansion. I don't think I'm using any social media to build my platform anymore, which is actually pretty refreshing. Writing for the love of writing, and sharing my words as I feel led to, and trusting my words will land where they need to. Instagram will still continue to be my online scrapbook and journal of sorts, and my longer form writing will show up on Substack. Thanks again for sharing!
Thank you so much for this!! I recently quit Instagram for similar reasons. I’ve invested lots of money into learning how to utilize Instagram and make an income, and similarly to what you witnessed I saw other women I knew doing it, with no results for myself for years. I think that if we have to compromise our values for the sake of social media, it’s not going to let abundance flow in. Personally having that belief has made the transition off of Instagram much easier ❤️
Your thoughts and feelings here literally could be my own. A haunted house is the perfect way to describe the feeling there now. It feels empty, and also like there are monsters waiting to pop up at anytime.
I was really active on the bookstagram community until 2018 - then I took a break to work on my book that needed up lasting a year. I never found my groove coming back, and then in 2020 it felt like the atmosphere started to really change. I didn’t want to have to always be feeding the machine in order to keep up.
People say that Instagram is what you make of it. But I really don’t think that’s true. There *is* an element of luck of who is successful there and who isn’t. That’s just life, isn’t it? But I think it’s really valid to ask ourselves do we want to continue if we’re not getting what we need out of it. The answer isn’t always just work harder. Last year, I posted a silly video of my husband and I in our Halloween costume - it got more views than probably all my other posts combined. My follower count doubled. All over something that I put almost no effort into, while my actual art and writing I cared about got crickets.
It’s not all about the numbers or attention from others - but the very purpose of posting on social media is because we want to share our voice with people. It’s completely valid to question if we want to stay there when it now feels like talking to an empty room. If Instagram were a physical space, would we hang out there anymore? I don’t think I would.
(Sorry for the novel, I’m ramble commenting during a 4am nursing sesh)
For the record, I adore the “Breanne you are now” and the way you show up on IG. I started following you at probably the height of your motherhood writing, but I’m still here because your words resonate so deeply with me whether it’s about motherhood or not. You’re one of the top... 3? Accounts that keeps me coming back because of how beautifully you use Instagram.
That said, I DO understand the frustrations with all the ways instagram has changed in the last few years. I wouldn’t blame you for leaving. But I’d be a little sad if you did. ♥️
This is all my same sentiments. But i used to be a chronic silent follower. I think somewhere deep inside myself I believed a lie that I was not allowed to participate. I could look and watch and appreciate, but not participate. And not just with social media things either, with job things and life things too.
I am "recovering" from that lie and showing up more, participating more. But i always wonder if other people also believe that lie.
I think in general social media for me has been put to the back on purpose. Getting on social media does not do anything but take away my attention from what is right in front of me...my kids, husband, friends, and sadly even sometimes time with God. I have so much more mental space when I am not on it. The other struggle I have is that I use to comment or respond to people I followed on Instagram but didn’t receive anything back other than the occasional like to my comment. So now often I don’t take the energy to write a response. I think we put ourselves out there sometimes but when nothing is responded to then what’s the point. This is not in reference to you or any of your posts because I am newer to following you and have been silent. It’s not because you haven’t responded but because of my experience with following people and the lack of response.
I think we're all feeling "not seen", ya know? And I don't know if social media can give us that, at least, not in ways our soul craves it. We're meant to be doing life with real people, as much kindness and support as I've experienced online, it's nothing compared to when people show up for me in real life. It sounds like you're making wise choice with your priorities. May we all do the same.
Yes and it grieves me! I have LOVED IG. I have found friendship, encouragement, hope and beauty there -- I still do!
But my brain hurts.
Too many hooks, too little heart.
But then, some of my bewilderment is my own fault. I started on online business that occupies so many of the thoughts that used to go to my own page -- now, it sits idly by and that makes me sad because I have loved sharing our lives and meeting others who let me in so graciously into theirs.
"Too many hooks, too little heart." Yes, that hits the nail on the head. I do feel torn because without social media, I wouldn't have formed some beautiful friendships that have lasted for years and been very beneficial to my life. I'm sad thinking about missing more of that. Just sitting here with all of it right alongside you.
I feel as though I wrote these words myself. This is exactly why I recently deleted my apps and found this space. I’ve poured my words into an app which has yes served me for a time, it did give me support, money but it all left me feeling empty. I’m tired of the commenting ‘love this’ to gain engagement or relying to the 🤍 comments when I’ve spent so many hours writing my soul out. I’m looking for more, deeper connections. I’m so happy I found this app, and found you
It's so interesting me that we ALL seem to be feeling this collective weariness. Whether we used Instagram to put out our creative work or we were there to simply interact with those whose work we enjoyed and connected with. Everyone is tired of the games we've had to play for years there and I'm hopeful that the exhaustion can help inform our decisions moving forward.
Being so new to this platform and honestly so terrible with technology is there any advice you might offer as I start diving in and trying to understand this new platform and see if it’s a fit for me?
Figure out a consistent way to put out your writing that works for YOU. Maybe it's twice a week, maybe it's only on Tuesdays, maybe it's three times a month. But I've found being consistent (in a sustainable way for me, someone with two young children and a chronic illness) has been beneficial--even if it's just the discipline of keeping up my writing practice.
As for the technology aspect, Substack has lots of tutorial pages and videos that are extremely helpful. Watching and reading those helped me a lot in the beginning.
Thank you so much for taking the time to share that with me. This platform already feels so much more welcoming and inviting. Thank you for creating a space that feels comfortable to ask questions
Hey, I just want to say how much I appreciate your work and I’m mostly a silent follower. Two reasons. 1 If I limit my likes I can easily go back to the things I really need to rehear. 2 I don’t like Instagram tracking me 🫣. I enjoy the videos on Instagram and one the reasons I don’t answer question boxes was because I thought you got a lot and didn’t want to overwhelm you. Whatever you decide I support you!
I have so many conflicting feelings about instagram!
I feel you in what you say about starting with others, who seemed to balloon into hig accounts so effortlessly. While I kept plodding on, same with my blog, honestly. So there's that. Not that I want the glory....but what am I doing? Why is what I write apparently less resonating, and does that mean I don't have the talent or the words and I should leave it to others?
(While simultaneously wondering whether is should be faithful with the little and do it for a few)
And then there's the friendship thing. So many (also those I started out with) seemed to have become soulmates and bffs. I would interact with someone and think we'd started building a relationship, only to figure out they just wanted me to buy their product or services. It was so disheartening...and people keep saying how 'Instagram gave me deep friendships and meaningful relationships..' so....what am I doing wrong?
Then there's the fact that so many want to monetize it and let that affect their integrity...only posting when about to launch something, only interacting because of that..
And I get it. I wouldn't mind monetizing IG myself. But...I don't know. I feel...cheated? Or treated as a commodity?I don't know...something stings. Maybe because people are often not 100%honest. They imply and say it's about relationships etc, but their actions don't reflect that.
Also with the questions they ask at the end of a post to get comments. It says 'I care. Let's talk' but then what they do is 'I'll quickly reply. Then please buy this stuff and comment next time too because I need likes and comments'
I get it. But the discrepancy bugs me.
I keep IG, keep hoping I'll have the nerve to be completely real and get into a groove of writing and build community and relationships.
But in the end I just lurk and post meaningless content.
(Also, once a person has a paid option, I disconnection IG because I know the real thing is behind the pay wall and I geuss I automatically assume either I pay or it's not worth it. Or I feel bad about not paying and think I shouldn't bug people who could be spending time with people who actually support them. A hit of both I think.)
"Treated as a commodity" YES THAT. I've experienced so much of what you talked about here. Being sold to. Only being seen as number. Being treated like a tool to boost someone else. People only following me and sharing my work because they expect me to follow them back and when I don't, they leave. It's weird and disheartening.
I think we all just want to be seen. I don't know if social media can offer us that. Even though it was promised and implied.
I feel like we are on the exact same wavelength in this. I actively worked on my Instagram for a while but could just never get real connection there. I definitely made a few friends through the app and that's been so nice, but especially in the last year it just exhausts me creatively to try and post there and then hear crickets. I really struggle with reels too.
I posted last night for the first time since this summer (it was my daughter's birthday), but I definitely still spend a lot of time scrolling on there. Part of me wants to "go all in" again and see what happens, and then part of me wants to delete it and forget about it. So I don't really have an answer other than that I am feeling the same way!
I did really resonate with how you said that once you stopped posting about being a wife and a mother, and just being a woman, people stopped engaging as much. I think that speaks to our fears that people are there because of what we post, not because of who we are. And I really just want people around me who enjoy who I am as a woman first. It's this constant back and forth, isn't it?
It is a back and forth. I've also wondered if I go "all in" for a month or two if it would shift things in a different direction but I'm also realizing, I don't really want to do that anymore. It's weird, I feel like I'm letting go of something that played a huge part of my life for so long (I've made really good friends there too!) and now, maybe I've outgrown it?
And yes, I think many of us writers started off writing from motherhood because it was such a massive part of every second of our lives but when our kids started growing up, we had to figure out who we were beyond just being a mom. I wouldn't want to back to just writing about motherhood, but I don't regret that I did. I just don't want that to be the sole focus of my creative work anymore. I don't know if people understand that.
I have absolutely zero advice because I've never figured out how to maximize Instagram (and I guess have never had the true motivation to try), but it's sad/interesting to me to realize that the same kinds of things that happened on Twitter happened there, even if differently.
You spoke directly to me. I only had a personal instagram profile, but I cam tell you that for the longest time after the pandemic I stopped interacting on both instagram and Facebook. Facebook especially. I felt paralyzed on social media, it gave me anxiety, as everyone felt so divided and I was worried about confrontation. Gradually I've started interacting on instagram more again, but Facebook I only scroll through now and then, with very, very minimal interaction. I've missed sharing my writing and photography though, so a few month ago I started sharing more on instagram, while keeping it a private account, and recently I started a substack account and am slowly coming out of my shell again, and may open up my instagram to pair with my substack. Your words made so much sense. Thank you for sharing.
Hello Breanne. I don’t have the same relationship with Instagram as you do. I never quite got it, but I do have some thing to add to your question of whether it’s worth it to keep writing.
I am a certified hypnotist who specializes in regression. The following is a journey I took into interlife to ask the question of whether my writing was making a difference. Perhaps this might inspire you to keep going even when you don’t get feedback. I understand you’re looking for income, so perhaps irrelevant, but I was inspired to share it with you.
https://open.substack.com/pub/patricia40303/p/ancient-wounds?r=2wx43&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
I just read @LisaHensley 's post about leaving IG (https://open.substack.com/pub/lisahensley/p/i-quit-instagram-again?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=b5rlp) and I realized something. On social media and especially IG if i enjoyed the content I was consuming I felt obligated to comment to help out their algorithm, but I also felt like the comments I received from the OP were probably just written just out of duty to appease the algorithm; a give-and-take situation of sorts. I am sure that wasn't universally true, but I wasn't confident that I was getting genuine responses simply because of the way the app was designed, and that made me not even want to comment something meaningful when an emoji would appease the algorithm.
Another element to my silence is that I take time to process and come to my genuine reponce. With social media, especially apps that make it hard to find previously viewed content, it takes alot of intention and determination to come back and share my response once it has risen to the surface. Then there is the fear that my faulty fingers would mistype and that I would get torn to shreds because of typo or some misunderstanding.
The internet connects us broadly but not deeply. I really value looking someone in the eye as they tell their story to let them know they are heard and valued. I feel like the black and white characters we have to work with so limit our ability to connect as humans.
Breanne, your work and your words have been light and breath for me. I am so grateful that I found your Instagram and that it brought me to HSS and finally here.
P.S. Breanne, your comment and Dm responses always felt genuine! That reminds me of when I accidentally video called you over IG (I had no idea that was a function) and you so graciously picked up and said hello. Me and my boy had a moment with you and your boy.
I agree with this so much, and I'm having all the same thoughts. I have a huge (organically built!!) Instagram following - supposedly. But it feels like they're just no longer seeing my work anymore. My engagement is strikingly low.... It has me wondering what to do. And I'm not sure if I fit here on Substack or not, since I'm technically not a writer but a visual artist and mindful art coach. I enjoy writing, but I don't know how to make it fit. I'm confused, and I'm also very frustrated with Instagram and the way it's changed. It's sad to me that I worked so hard for so many years and now it's almost like I'd never put all that effort into building that space - not totally, because SOME people are still there and still interacting (and for their interaction, I'm so grateful) but it's not at all like it used to be.
Your words echo so many of my recent feelings about Instagram, so thank you for sharing them! It's very quiet on Insta for me, too. More than it's ever been. I still love sharing there, I just love the format of images with words tied to them. I've just adjusted my perspective in regards to using it for business/writing platform expansion. I don't think I'm using any social media to build my platform anymore, which is actually pretty refreshing. Writing for the love of writing, and sharing my words as I feel led to, and trusting my words will land where they need to. Instagram will still continue to be my online scrapbook and journal of sorts, and my longer form writing will show up on Substack. Thanks again for sharing!
Thank you so much for this!! I recently quit Instagram for similar reasons. I’ve invested lots of money into learning how to utilize Instagram and make an income, and similarly to what you witnessed I saw other women I knew doing it, with no results for myself for years. I think that if we have to compromise our values for the sake of social media, it’s not going to let abundance flow in. Personally having that belief has made the transition off of Instagram much easier ❤️
Your thoughts and feelings here literally could be my own. A haunted house is the perfect way to describe the feeling there now. It feels empty, and also like there are monsters waiting to pop up at anytime.
I was really active on the bookstagram community until 2018 - then I took a break to work on my book that needed up lasting a year. I never found my groove coming back, and then in 2020 it felt like the atmosphere started to really change. I didn’t want to have to always be feeding the machine in order to keep up.
People say that Instagram is what you make of it. But I really don’t think that’s true. There *is* an element of luck of who is successful there and who isn’t. That’s just life, isn’t it? But I think it’s really valid to ask ourselves do we want to continue if we’re not getting what we need out of it. The answer isn’t always just work harder. Last year, I posted a silly video of my husband and I in our Halloween costume - it got more views than probably all my other posts combined. My follower count doubled. All over something that I put almost no effort into, while my actual art and writing I cared about got crickets.
It’s not all about the numbers or attention from others - but the very purpose of posting on social media is because we want to share our voice with people. It’s completely valid to question if we want to stay there when it now feels like talking to an empty room. If Instagram were a physical space, would we hang out there anymore? I don’t think I would.
(Sorry for the novel, I’m ramble commenting during a 4am nursing sesh)
For the record, I adore the “Breanne you are now” and the way you show up on IG. I started following you at probably the height of your motherhood writing, but I’m still here because your words resonate so deeply with me whether it’s about motherhood or not. You’re one of the top... 3? Accounts that keeps me coming back because of how beautifully you use Instagram.
That said, I DO understand the frustrations with all the ways instagram has changed in the last few years. I wouldn’t blame you for leaving. But I’d be a little sad if you did. ♥️
This is all my same sentiments. But i used to be a chronic silent follower. I think somewhere deep inside myself I believed a lie that I was not allowed to participate. I could look and watch and appreciate, but not participate. And not just with social media things either, with job things and life things too.
I am "recovering" from that lie and showing up more, participating more. But i always wonder if other people also believe that lie.
I think in general social media for me has been put to the back on purpose. Getting on social media does not do anything but take away my attention from what is right in front of me...my kids, husband, friends, and sadly even sometimes time with God. I have so much more mental space when I am not on it. The other struggle I have is that I use to comment or respond to people I followed on Instagram but didn’t receive anything back other than the occasional like to my comment. So now often I don’t take the energy to write a response. I think we put ourselves out there sometimes but when nothing is responded to then what’s the point. This is not in reference to you or any of your posts because I am newer to following you and have been silent. It’s not because you haven’t responded but because of my experience with following people and the lack of response.
I think we're all feeling "not seen", ya know? And I don't know if social media can give us that, at least, not in ways our soul craves it. We're meant to be doing life with real people, as much kindness and support as I've experienced online, it's nothing compared to when people show up for me in real life. It sounds like you're making wise choice with your priorities. May we all do the same.
Yes and it grieves me! I have LOVED IG. I have found friendship, encouragement, hope and beauty there -- I still do!
But my brain hurts.
Too many hooks, too little heart.
But then, some of my bewilderment is my own fault. I started on online business that occupies so many of the thoughts that used to go to my own page -- now, it sits idly by and that makes me sad because I have loved sharing our lives and meeting others who let me in so graciously into theirs.
I also am just sitting on this. <3
"Too many hooks, too little heart." Yes, that hits the nail on the head. I do feel torn because without social media, I wouldn't have formed some beautiful friendships that have lasted for years and been very beneficial to my life. I'm sad thinking about missing more of that. Just sitting here with all of it right alongside you.
I feel as though I wrote these words myself. This is exactly why I recently deleted my apps and found this space. I’ve poured my words into an app which has yes served me for a time, it did give me support, money but it all left me feeling empty. I’m tired of the commenting ‘love this’ to gain engagement or relying to the 🤍 comments when I’ve spent so many hours writing my soul out. I’m looking for more, deeper connections. I’m so happy I found this app, and found you
It's so interesting me that we ALL seem to be feeling this collective weariness. Whether we used Instagram to put out our creative work or we were there to simply interact with those whose work we enjoyed and connected with. Everyone is tired of the games we've had to play for years there and I'm hopeful that the exhaustion can help inform our decisions moving forward.
Being so new to this platform and honestly so terrible with technology is there any advice you might offer as I start diving in and trying to understand this new platform and see if it’s a fit for me?
Figure out a consistent way to put out your writing that works for YOU. Maybe it's twice a week, maybe it's only on Tuesdays, maybe it's three times a month. But I've found being consistent (in a sustainable way for me, someone with two young children and a chronic illness) has been beneficial--even if it's just the discipline of keeping up my writing practice.
As for the technology aspect, Substack has lots of tutorial pages and videos that are extremely helpful. Watching and reading those helped me a lot in the beginning.
Thank you so much for taking the time to share that with me. This platform already feels so much more welcoming and inviting. Thank you for creating a space that feels comfortable to ask questions
Hey, I just want to say how much I appreciate your work and I’m mostly a silent follower. Two reasons. 1 If I limit my likes I can easily go back to the things I really need to rehear. 2 I don’t like Instagram tracking me 🫣. I enjoy the videos on Instagram and one the reasons I don’t answer question boxes was because I thought you got a lot and didn’t want to overwhelm you. Whatever you decide I support you!
Those are valid reasons. I appreciate you sharing all of this, Sarah. Silent follower or not, you're appreciated here!
I have so many conflicting feelings about instagram!
I feel you in what you say about starting with others, who seemed to balloon into hig accounts so effortlessly. While I kept plodding on, same with my blog, honestly. So there's that. Not that I want the glory....but what am I doing? Why is what I write apparently less resonating, and does that mean I don't have the talent or the words and I should leave it to others?
(While simultaneously wondering whether is should be faithful with the little and do it for a few)
And then there's the friendship thing. So many (also those I started out with) seemed to have become soulmates and bffs. I would interact with someone and think we'd started building a relationship, only to figure out they just wanted me to buy their product or services. It was so disheartening...and people keep saying how 'Instagram gave me deep friendships and meaningful relationships..' so....what am I doing wrong?
Then there's the fact that so many want to monetize it and let that affect their integrity...only posting when about to launch something, only interacting because of that..
And I get it. I wouldn't mind monetizing IG myself. But...I don't know. I feel...cheated? Or treated as a commodity?I don't know...something stings. Maybe because people are often not 100%honest. They imply and say it's about relationships etc, but their actions don't reflect that.
Also with the questions they ask at the end of a post to get comments. It says 'I care. Let's talk' but then what they do is 'I'll quickly reply. Then please buy this stuff and comment next time too because I need likes and comments'
I get it. But the discrepancy bugs me.
I keep IG, keep hoping I'll have the nerve to be completely real and get into a groove of writing and build community and relationships.
But in the end I just lurk and post meaningless content.
(Also, once a person has a paid option, I disconnection IG because I know the real thing is behind the pay wall and I geuss I automatically assume either I pay or it's not worth it. Or I feel bad about not paying and think I shouldn't bug people who could be spending time with people who actually support them. A hit of both I think.)
"Treated as a commodity" YES THAT. I've experienced so much of what you talked about here. Being sold to. Only being seen as number. Being treated like a tool to boost someone else. People only following me and sharing my work because they expect me to follow them back and when I don't, they leave. It's weird and disheartening.
I think we all just want to be seen. I don't know if social media can offer us that. Even though it was promised and implied.
I feel like we are on the exact same wavelength in this. I actively worked on my Instagram for a while but could just never get real connection there. I definitely made a few friends through the app and that's been so nice, but especially in the last year it just exhausts me creatively to try and post there and then hear crickets. I really struggle with reels too.
I posted last night for the first time since this summer (it was my daughter's birthday), but I definitely still spend a lot of time scrolling on there. Part of me wants to "go all in" again and see what happens, and then part of me wants to delete it and forget about it. So I don't really have an answer other than that I am feeling the same way!
I did really resonate with how you said that once you stopped posting about being a wife and a mother, and just being a woman, people stopped engaging as much. I think that speaks to our fears that people are there because of what we post, not because of who we are. And I really just want people around me who enjoy who I am as a woman first. It's this constant back and forth, isn't it?
It is a back and forth. I've also wondered if I go "all in" for a month or two if it would shift things in a different direction but I'm also realizing, I don't really want to do that anymore. It's weird, I feel like I'm letting go of something that played a huge part of my life for so long (I've made really good friends there too!) and now, maybe I've outgrown it?
And yes, I think many of us writers started off writing from motherhood because it was such a massive part of every second of our lives but when our kids started growing up, we had to figure out who we were beyond just being a mom. I wouldn't want to back to just writing about motherhood, but I don't regret that I did. I just don't want that to be the sole focus of my creative work anymore. I don't know if people understand that.
I have absolutely zero advice because I've never figured out how to maximize Instagram (and I guess have never had the true motivation to try), but it's sad/interesting to me to realize that the same kinds of things that happened on Twitter happened there, even if differently.
Yes, the way those platforms essentially monetized outrage. It's so sad to realize.
VERY.