It wasn’t necessarily an intentional decision, but I’ve pulled back from Instagram lately and the space has made me think about why I really use it in the first place. For blog purposes, it’s my favorite social media by far. I love creating and posting pretty pictures of our house. (Notice I say “creating” because rarely do those shots occur naturally without first kicking toys or shoes out of the way.) It’s also so much easier to create great looking shots when they’re contained in a small square (no high-resolution or professional camera equipment required).
But from the position of an observer, I’m loving it less and less. I feel like the more I scroll, everything starting to look more the same. And Instagram stories. . . . where do I begin? Do you love them or hate them? I rarely speak on mine and there’s a good reason behind that. Sometimes it’s just better to enjoy a person through their writing voice or photos; know what I mean? While there are a lot of feeds I enjoy following, there are only a handful of IG’ers I actually watch on stories. I love to see a glimpse or two of what’s going on in someone’s day or something fun they’ve discovered or even their kids (sometimes) doing something adorable. (I especially love the laughing babies.) But, some of these “stories” have become full-on reality shows and I can’t/don’t want to keep up. If you have 82 dashes (stories) at the top of your frame, be assured I’m moving on to the next person. . .
A few other funny/interesting things I’ve observed lately as I’ve scrolled through Instagram:
–Date nights. Every week. Does this really happen? (If so, good for you.) When we do manage to make it out of the house, I’m never in heels and we almost always go out to eat, followed by a Target run for paper towels or something to that effect. Maybe this only reflects poorly on us, but I just don’t buy it.
-“Not what I’m doing right now” photos. I admit I’m occasionally guilty of this, too, but I always feel like a dweeb when I do it. These are the perfect life photos followed by a caption that goes something like “Wishing I was wearing this sassy red dress out on the town but I’m actually watching Netflix in my PJ’s.” Okay. . . Aren’t these a direct contradiction to the idea of “Insta”? (I’ve never actually used that particular caption, by the way.)
-Pronouncing the “g” on -ing words. No. No. NO! This one pertains specifically to IG stories. Maybe it’s just me but I swear I’ve noticed lots of people pronouncing the silent g on the end of -ing words. Laughing becomes laughing-guh, jogging becomes jogging-guh, loving becomes loving-guh. Have you noticed this, too? I swear I googled it to make sure I hadn’t been saying this wrong all of my life, but I’m happy to report that the g is, in fact, still silent.
-Animal filters (also on IG stories). WHY? Should I be doing this? If you’re telling me about your favorite paint color or your latest blog post, I feel like I need to see your real face. But maybe I’m in the minority here. . .
-People don’t love pictures of your/my kids. I get it. A guaranteed way to loose a handful of followers quickly is to post photos of my family. I’m okay with that and still do it occasionally. More power to you all that have a large following and do it all the time anyway. I do have a private account for very few friends and family where I can happily post 24 pictures of my kids at one time and not one of nine followers unfollows. These are the photos I look at when I just want to feel happy. You know, the real stuff of life.
How’s Instagram for you these days? A friend and I recently had a conversation about all of this and I thought it would be fun to share here, too. I’m anxious to hear your thoughts. . . Love it, hate it, or both?
So first of all, I miss your Saturday posts – they are so well curated and hardly any bloggers post on Saturday, so they are a treat.
I gave up Instagram and created a new Twitter account (following less than 10 friends) for Lent and I am so much happier, I don’t think I’ll be going back. I honestly don’t know how some bloggers have a life, they post so frequently and at such length on Stories. And I *really* don’t care about the minutiae of their lives. We won’t even go into the blogger who thinks we are all as entranced by her frequent selfies as she is!
Hoping to get back on track with the Saturday posts soon. Thanks for your comment!
My biggest issue with stories is they make me feel exhausted —It’s double the effort. I’m not only doing something design-y (which I would naturally be doing anyway) but I have to film it, narrate it, filter it, etc.
I agree, I have my favorites but some take one picture of their house and post that over and over. The whole telling about your day over IG stories gets old fast. I always think-how Big is their ego
Sorry just had to vent
1. I agree. I see the 80 million dashes and keep going.
2. Date night- I wish.
3. Kids- post them. They’re adorable.
I will say this is where social media becomes the comparer (not a real word) of all. They do this and we can’t/won’t. Keep doing what you’re doing. I love seeing your home and your kids. You don’t inundate me with so. Many. Things. When you post it’s thoughtful and often leads me to your blog. I like that!
Thanks for sharing (your thoughts, home, and kids)!
Spot on. I told my husband the same just last night. I’ve already deleted all of the weekly date night people. Even if that’s really their life (pa-lease), my getting angry/jealous doesn’t help anyone. Also in the process of deleting the instafamous-for-no-good-reason accounts. How? Why?
Glad to hear from one of the grownups living a real life with a real family. Your house and style are still inspiring to me (house stuff is my passion too) but it’s your real life budget and authenticity that keeps me around!
I scroll so so quickly Thru my IG and do not read anything long, political or venting. I’m looking for a quick relaxing inspiring scroll. If I want more I will screen shot and look at their blog. I’m really missing blogs because my faves have quit blogging much and Pinterest looks the same to me every time. I like a quick look at family life but not tons and tons. I despise those animal filters and I do not EVER want to see dash after dash of what you are listening to in your car everywhere you go. I will watch for good tips and I have a few I like to watch that are quick and inspiring but oh my gosh it’s all turned in to sponsor promotion and if I get one affordable or do-able DIY tip in a month it’s a record! I do like to keep up with close friends on IG because I’m just not an FB girl. I switched from FB to IG early on because it was mostly visual but now it’s turning in to what I didn’t love about FB. I just want inspiring pretty pictures. Maybe I’m the minority😳
and so many selfies.
First of all, I’m not a blogger, so IG is probably very different for me. I DO NOT understand stories or how people have so much time to post 900 pics on IG followed by stories. How do people have so much time for social media? Also, the same items in many blogger/IG pics such as shoes/boots in the pictures, a fiddleleaf fig, karate chopped pillows, fancy pot on the stove, etc. I don’t want my home to look like an IG feed, if you know what I mean. I LOVE honest pics, although I very much understand the need for a staged (or cleaned up, whatever) picture and appreciate those too. I guess I want a few real-lifes thrown in with the pretties. As far as your children (and other’s children), gosh I love seeing them (again real-life). It’s like we really do get to know you.
Karate chopped pillows 😂
Agree – mostly! Isn’t it funny how we all love/hate/use social media for different intents? #1. As a mom with teen sons (vs little ones), it is waaaay easier to go out in a date now. But I also don’t post pics about it because that’s my time with him, not everyone else, and since most of our dates end up at the romantic locale of Home Depot… 😁 #2. If you aren’t following John Crist on Instastory, you aren’t living. Just saying. #3. Animal filters? Feels like something we did in 4th grade???? #4. Kid pics. For me, depends on if posting is balanced with other things. I love to see bloggers (esp from bloggers that aren’t just lifestyle bloggers) kids because it gives a glimpse of what’s going on behind the scenes. And Emily, I think as a believer you come at this from a way different perspective. In a good way. I think you desire to be authentic. And that comes thru to your followers.
Thanks for saying that. :) And I do believe we’ll go out to eat all the time when we can leave the kids at home. Whoop whoop!
John Crist-yes!!!
I absolutely loathe Instagram pictures styled with Hunter boots! Enough already! Let’s just be done!
Ha! This. Made me laugh. So very true.
So true!!!
So funny. I bought some last year on clearance and now feel self-conscious when I wear them. Ha! Also, did you see that Target now has a line with Hunter boots? Even more IG pics to come! ;)
With the stories I am mixed- there are some people I follow whose stories I really enjoy and honestly look forward to watching. That is probably about 15% of the stories on my feed. The rest I skip all or part of, depending on the topic it seems to be about. One thing I hate is when the story cuts off, and then they spend half of the next one repeating what was just said in the last one. It turns into a continuous cycle! There are some things, due to the story length, that just really don’t work in this format- almost any tutorial should not be on a story because it ends up be 30 videos.
I follow a lot of designers/bloggers so I would agree that there is a lot of similar content- I think that is just how it goes though because so many people are doing the same look- white kitchens, subway tile, hardwood floors, mid century light fixtures etc etc etc. It’s hard to really have an “original” idea in the internet age and right now it seems that there are only a few “looks” that are popular and therefore being done by the bloggers.
One thing that I hate- that you didn’t mention- is the new trend now of posting in your stories a photo of your current posts, with the most current photo blocked by some sticker thing saying “big changes in the kitchen, check out my feed to see what” like just tell me here!
I’m not a fan of that either, but get that the people doing that blog for a living and need clicks on their blogs to get paid. It usually makes me NOT click on their blog.
I’ve noticed that, too. I don’t even know how to do that so you’re safe with me. ;)
Love it! Totally true IG can be annoying sometimes.. specially the couples that have date nights every week .. 😂
Yes Yes Yes on all of these!!!! It actually discourages me to add to the madness even though I love our pretty feed, what are we putting out there? One of our main goals on our blog is to have doable prettiness, I hate it when we get feedback like “your party, dinner, house (or whatever) is too pretty, I could never do that” that’s a major fail moment, we’re trying to show how simple it can be, not intimidating. We feel like we’re a bit frozen, trying to find a direction that’s right for us! Thanks for your post! Loved it got us thinking again!
I decided to get off of Instagram for the month of January and I still have not jumped back on. I feel like my brain has room to think for the first time in a long time. It has also freed up time for me to read a book or actually look at my kids in the eyes when they talk to me. I started to realize I was choosing my phone over my kids and that is not okay.
I highly recommend reading This Is Our Time by Trevin Wax. There is a paragraph in that book that stopped me in my tracks…
He (an author) compares the home of a teensger today to that of previous generations: “The home was a space to let down your guard, freed from the perpetual gaze of your peers…freed from the competition that characterizes teenagedom. No longer. The space of the home has been punctured by the intrusion of social media such that the competitive world of self-display and self-consciousness is always with us.”
As my kids start to become teenagers, I want them to just be at home. I want my actions to reflect that they are more important than my phone.
Anywho, that is my two cents.
Wow! Ashley, that is profound. As a mom of two grown young men (25 and 19), I so encourage everyone reading these comments to think carefully about the words you shared from Trevin Wax. While my boys were young, there wasn’t the social media craze or even the platform really. I’m so thankful for that! Our homes should be havens….places to rest, feel safe, secure, accepted and loved. I am fairly sickened by the constant self-display and competitiveness that has taken over our society. Take it from a mom who is now empty-nesting….cherish every single moment you have with your children, your husband and your closest friends and family…be authentic, be intentional, be who God has made you to be and live for real like there is no tomorrow but an eternity! Thanks for sharing your thoughts and the quote.
That is excellent and so very true. Thank you for posting. Makes me a little sad too.
I was just saying that the other day. They can NEVER get totally away from whatever pressures they’re feeling at school, because it’s all there in the palm of their hands now. It’s a crazy time to be a kid–and a parent… Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
I use Instagram to follow businesses only. I want to see creative products, Interiors, and exteriors. I am not interested in any personal information. If kids, pets, date night, and bikini vacation photos occur too often , I usually unfollow. My main goal is to see items and styles that are not trending in my area and are fresh. In our busy lives and certain locations we can’t visit all the stores, trade shows, antique fairs…, so it is great to source objects and inspiration worldwide.
Hi Emily, I have never commented on your site, but wanted to today: YES to all your observations!!! (Though hadn’t noticed the “ing” thing yet.) Not ready to abandon IG, as some of the very things that irritate me also entertain me sometimes. So, I have been doing a “Kon Mari” to my Following list. If its not bringing me joy, sparking inspiration, I am going to unfollow. I have been following new feeds to try them out. They are tricky to find sonetimes, as so many home decor accts look/offer the same. It is easy to get into a rut with your feed, I think. It is not really any different than books – some authors are bestsellers, but you don’t love their work. You read a couple, & move on to something else. IG feels more personal, yet the professional feeds are a craft, a creation as you said. Now time for me to cull a bit – you reminded me that there were just one too many InstaStories last night with bunny ears (why why why!!?!! I just wanted to see the kitchen reveal!). Thanks for thoughtful post!
I know what you mean about stuff like this. It’s like all of the things that bothered me about bloggers has migrated to Instagram. My particular pet peeves are people that complain too much (especially about the weather!) and people that record stories while DRIVING. I also somewhat cringe when people are walking and talking to their phone in public, but that’s mostly because I could never do it. I’d be way too embarrassed.
And by the way, I kinda like knowing what people’s voices sound like. I guess mostly because people’s writing style can be different from how they talk.
Oh my goodness, was just talking to a friend about the change in Instagram. Neither she nor I have followers – we just follow. And I don’t follow any friends or family: I pretty much use it as I used to use/read blogs – inspiration. Now it’s one GIANT ad. I can tell immediately when a sponsor is pushing their product when suddenly everyone I follow has new bedding or the same jacket appears on 8 peoples feed. I may as well read ads all day – drives me NUTS and don’t get me going on “like to know it”. I get decorating takes money but I feel like know the new decor comes from a push from a freebie from a sponsor not the desire from the blogger/instagrammers themselves. And you’re right: a lot of these homes are starting to look a like as well as the outfits the homeowners are wearing. Rant over.
Hi Emily,
I am really relieved to read this. To know I’m not the only one sort of “over” Instagram. My frustrations lie more in the rat race it feels like to get traction with a post, stories, etc. Doing what “they” say to do, but feel like it’s spinning my wheels. Then seeing other accounts with very similar aesthetics as mine seemingly unaffected by the algorithm changes. I’m tired of chasing the moving target, but do love the true interactions I have. Whatd’ya do? 🤷🏼♀️
I admittedly have unfollowed people lately for posting too-staged, too-obnoxious-speakinguh, etc. posts regularly. And it’s weird what people gravitate towards. If I post something from the shop with the Thibaut wallpaper in the background, everyone goes nuts. If I post a random picture from my house, everyone goes nuts. If I post a pretty collection of smalls, people don’t really care. None of this sways me one way or another, I post a little bit of what I like… regardless of what speaks to others. But! I always think your pictures are lovely :-)
I am so with you on the animal filters…I have unfollowed a few people because that’s all they ever used. A lot of people do it because they don’t want to show their unmake-up’ed face but then why do a story if you don’t want to be seen?
I couldn’t agree more! I’ve been InstaStalking designers & artisans for inspiration and valuable info since taking a (REALLY LONG) hiatus from designing as I was focused on raising kids (I admire those who do both). There are a few ‘must follows’ in the design world that leave me confused. I mean, I’m watching her admire her filtered face on an Insta-story video while complaining about a busy install day. I really just want to see the install, actually. So anyway, I feel you on that, Emily! I’m kinda learning the deal, I need to access how to make Insta most valuable for my goals. I have thoroughly enjoyed your posts: always professional, beautiful, and real. Designers and moms like you inspire and motivate me. Sorry for the long reply! Geez.
I continue to find myself clicking on the Instastory hearing the persons voice droning on and on about their recent shopping spree, favorite finds, etc. and I roll my eyes, get annoyed and then say out loud “why do I keep clicking on her Instastory?” Like, I get that bloggers get sponsored to stand in Nordstrom and showcase their “try ons” in the dressing room… but really??!! Are all those clothes then “free” or is she buying them? It’s just too out of touch for me. P.S. I like how you do Insta and your kids sweet faces!
I have never loved you more!!! That sounds creepy but I agree with everything you said here. Everything does look the same. Not everything needs a story. And as bad as it might sound I totally agree with the voices/faces thing!! Insta has lost it’s groove for me too and I’ve been contemplating a post just like this! Thanks for sharing!
You hit the nail on the head with your bullet points! I hate when people put a “k” sound at the end of an -ing word. Like, thinkingK or somethingK. Don’t even get me on how people pronounce curtains.
Also, it’s lose, not loose :)
I am on instagram but I don’t follow anyone I know, or bloggers. I just looked and I follow 6 accounts. If i follow you in one place, mmm, that’s enough for me. I haven’t made one post on insta yet because I want to understand my own instagram angle, what am I sharing there that’s different than fb (where I share a little too). That’s my 2c… Social Media is a struggle, finding the right balance.
Who has the time???? I like looking at pretty picture, but it’s reall at the bottom of even my stuff I do for me list. I’d rather read something – blog, book, magazine. ❤️ And I personally like when your kids are in shots. Especially jumping on the couch!!!
I just posted this morning how I miss the old Instagram and how it has changed from a place of inspiration and encouragement to a place of influence for what’s on sale and swipe up to shop links. I do support and encourage small business but it seems like the larger accounts are becoming more of a long infomercial. It has definitely changed and you are not the only one who feels this way. There are others who feel the same as you. Thank you for being bold enough to share your thoughts. Have a wonderful day.
I agree with you wholeheartedly. I miss the old Instagram of just pretty pics with cool filters :) It has gone downhill rapidly in the past year or so. I knew when Facebook bought Instagram in 2012 that it would eventually mirror the “parent” site. Between the ads, stories and algorithms, I have lost interest. The “suggested followers” have put me over the edge!
Me too! I am sick to death of both facebook/instagram “suggesting” to me whom I should follow! I will follow who I darn well want to… I am not a mindless sheep in a sea of faces that cannot think for myself!
I find myself feeling quite insulted pretty often with the overall message that social media sends to us… is anyone paying attention at all?! I want to have more conversations about this! : )
Well said Emily. I don’t like instastories. They are just annoying ….I’ve unfollowed a lot of accounts because they’re all the same or they have a budget that is way out of my price range. I like people who are real, whose houses reflect their personality, not the decor of the day and I’m happy to see people’s kids occasionally too.
Love this and agree with it all. I’ve started unfollowing more than following lately. Especially all of the “farmhouse” decorating style accounts. They all look the same: white on white with driftwood. They all look like some kind of farmhouse furniture store. While beautiful, they all lack any kind of personality. Blah. As for the “ing-uh” pronunciation, are those folks in Utah per chance? There is a specific set of women here that do it non-stop. Kind of like the vocal-fry phenomenon….. gggrrrrr.
Ha! And, everything in Utah is “super cute!” Oy.
“Hey buddies…” need I say more?!!
I know I’m in the minority, but I don’t bother with social media anymore. I opened a Flickr account years ago and have been trying unsuccessfully to shut it down for months. I had a Goodreads account and closed it when Amazon bought it. Can’t say I miss either one. Haven’t bothered with IG, Twitter, or FB because announcing to the world what I’m doing or thinking just doesn’t seem natural to me. I decided to go back to reading more several years ago and haven’t regretted it once.
I’m with you! Shortly after the first of this year I listened to a podcast that inspired me to follow all instances and Facebook accounts who are selling something It left me with four people, one of which is you! It’s so freeing to scroll and not feel like I “must have” whatever it is someone is telling me I’m missing out on today. The trend that annoys me most lately are fashion bloggers who used to recommend Target or Old Navy clothing that suddenly have a following and now tell me the must have jeans are $200 from Nordstrom and oh yeah, use their affiliate link because th e y just quit their day job. Ugh. Anyway, the internet is weird. I don’t ever mind seeing pictures of your children because I’ve followed you since before you had the twins and I feel like you are a friend. :)
Oops that’s supposed to read “UNfollow Instagram & Facebook”
I figured that out. Ha! And thank you, btw.
YES!! There have been sooo many things that have been rubbing me the wrong way in regards to Instagram lately. The lack of originality is definitely high on the list. For instance, Rae Dunn is fine, but I’ve seen more than enough disembodied chunky white cable-knit sweatered wrists and hands holding a RD mug that says “Coffee”…or whatever, to last me for eternity.
Mainly, I use my business Instagram for advertising and networking for my small interior design biz, and for showing a bit of my body of work. The algorithm changes have made it very difficult for new people to see my account. And for me to get my account in front of new eyes, would require me to be plugged in almost full time. I can’t keep up with that.
I will continue using Instagram, but recognize that it will be a secondary means of communication between potential clients and myself. Thanks to the algorithm changes, I won’t likely be getting new clients through Instagram, but I can refer them to my feed to get an idea of my portfolio.
I always appreciate you perspective and getting a glimpse of your beautiful family and seeing your beautiful work. Keep it up!!
Hahaha I just discovered the landline of “posting pictures of your kids”- I usually don’t ever do this because I want my children to be private and I have safety concerns- but I posted *one* photo of my only daughter and it was like— whiplash. Lol!
Then I thought to myself— what is the point of insta exactly? And I kinda felt like there was something ugly underlying it all… like why am I supposed to want loads of random strangers to like my house projects?? Hmm.
I feel like there is a competition to remove every last bit of color from your home. Only white, grey, and texture allowed.
I so passionately talk about this with my instafam ALL the time! I hate it and its drives me crazy! As a lover of color and eclecticism I dont subscribe to that at all! I think the best way to combat is is to try to diversify your feed a bit. If you’re following people who all have the same aesthetic thats all youre gonna see. Try following a couple design and decor peeps who have color filled homes and then you’ll start to notice your feed look a bit more layered. I challenge people to do this often and they usually come back and say they’ve been able to find some amazingly inspiring accounts! :)
…sigh. I know. White can be lovely and to each his/her own, but color is much harder to do well, and tons more interesting.
I am so selective on the stories I follow. I wish more people would focus on a REAL budget decorating for the majority of us. And, yes, the date night thing makes me crazy and all the posing.
I don’t mind seeing kids. Welcome to family life people.
YES. To everything and the comments. Did you know you can block people’s stories? If you still want their pictures and don’t want their stories you can hold down on their most recent story and then it gives you the option to MUTE their stories. So nice. I’ve been thinking for about a month that I need to leave Instagram for awhile and this just might get me to do it.
I like it when you share your kids. And their spaces and how you balance creating a pretty space while still having children around. I have four children (all under six) and i want more kids. But I also want to have a peaceful, practical space that we can all enjoy looking at and living in. So that’s why I follow. Because you are a mama and you give me ideas and encouragement that I can do this too!
Thank you so much for this I thought it was just me! I loved Instagram and would find myself scrolling and finding so much original content but now it’s so boring. I open it and close after a few seconds. I’m following the same people and a few new. But when I go back and look I realized a lot of bloggers have just sterilized what they were doing.
As for stories they definitely aren’t my thing. I don’t always find them to be genuine and as a parent of three I don’t have time for it.
I’m happy for the bloggers that seem to have moved from home blogger to lifestyle blogger but I stopped following most of them because almost everything has turned into an advertisement and doesn’t feel genuine. I don’t care if someone makes money when they provide a link and I click the source and buy. I love the convenience. Unfortunately it’s starting to feel like every post is click bait.
This is just my opinion but I appreciate anyone ( blogger or insta) that can keep it real online because the perfect, pretty boxes can’t be daily life. I tell my teens all the time it’s like a highlight reel not everyone’s actual story.
I am liking IG less and less. I feel like I only see a handful of accounts, and if I comment or like an account with a lot of followers, I start getting “follow requests” from unknown weirdos. It’s annoying. I rarely watch stories, and I never plan to post any of my own. I’d rather waste my time doing something else now.
I’ve got mixed feelings on IG, too. I’m not a big poster, have maybe 27 followers (@mtnurbanist if you don’t mind the plug), and feel like I don’t have the skills/time to do it. I really enjoy watching the stories, but I agree that the 20+ dash (really anything more than 10 some days) is too much IMO. I struggle to find the time to watch all that but I really enjoy it when I do. On an average, 15 minutes is probably my max. I find that I prefer the stories to the images 50% of the time as, like you said, the images are looking the same. Once I see an animal face, I stop taking you seriously and move on. Maybe it would be funny if it was done universally on April 1st but otherwise it just seems juvenile. Thanks for sharing!
OMG Emily I thought I was the only one that noticed the ing/guh thing. Drives me batty!
Spot on. Loved reading all the above comments too. They were all true. I call it the “follow the herd” effect. Seems like everyone wants to look and have their houses look like everyone else. What a shame! Individuality seems to have gone by the wayside these days. Want proof, scroll through Instagram. That’s why I love your posts. You’re an original. Keep on…
Since the beginning of the year I have been deleting Instagram off of my phone during the week and then re-downloading the app during the weekends. I started doing this because I found that as stories became more popular, I was checking and rechecking all day everyday simply because there would be new (basically meaningless) content. Let’s be honest, I was escaping my own everyday life to watch other peoples’ similarly mundane goings on. It had to stop. So anyway I just check in during the weekends and I gotta say, it’s clear to me now that the amount of enjoyment I get out of it is quite small. For me, it’s still fun for inspiration and keeping up with friends, but only in small, controlled doses. And totally agree that it’s all starting to run together and look the same.
Instastories are interesting to me in a completely voyeuristic way. I do think it can be fascinating to see inside someone else’s life in that way, but how healthy is it really to spend your time watching someone else go through life? It’s healthier for me to keep my distance. Plus I’m often struck/aghast by what people share on stories – I almost want to tell them to put down the phone, but then I just take my own advice instead :)
My insta is @stewart_partyof5 and I stopped posting in December and it has been liberating. I rarely look at that feed anymore only my personal account. I felt like the time connected to my phone was becoming a problem which I’m turn caused me to feel like I was comparing my home to everyone else’s. That’s not why I started doing this. And then whenever I did scroll through everything looks the same. I may continue to post some DIY’s occasionally and a few holiday shots but other than that I have freed myself from the fantasyland of IG, and it feels great.
Danielle :)
P.S. I do miss some of my friends on IG, but being more present at home is so much more important.
I agree with most of what you said. The g isn’t SILENT, it just doesn’t need to be so over-pronounced. I used to work with someone who said laugheen, loveen, joggeen. It was just as annoying!
When I opened my Instagram account, I made the very specific decision to only follow people I know. I don’t follow bloggers or anyone else I don’t know personally. I actually love Instagram because all I’m seeing is people I know and care about, and even then I’m picky. I have unfollowed people I know because seeing them show up on my feed was annoying, stressful, or negative in some way. I want the little bit of time I spend scrolling through Instagram to be relaxing and fun, and it is!
I occasionally look at the pictures, but I don’t see anything about stories, So much newfangled stuff, its confusing.
Emily, you’re always so insightful and authentic. I really appreciate your voice here and I loved reading through all these comments as well. Instagram is a difficult place sometimes. As bloggers, we want to inspire people and bring a moment of happy or calm into someone’s day. How do we continue to do that in an authentic way with the way people are feeling right now? I really enjoyed this post!
So glad we’re not the only ones who can’t seem to commit to date nights. Love the idea but with kids, jobs and just life, in general, they are few and far between.
And, I don’t get the animal filters either!
I totally agree on your comments Emily. I have been on IG for a little over a year now. When I first started I was so excited to find people who had the same love of home that I do. However, after little time, everything started looking exactly the same to me. The all white house, all white kitchen, beautiful fresh flowers positioned perfectly in that all white farmhouse sink. I want to see real life, how it took time to get that room to look the way they really wanted it to look, while knowing that they will never completely finish that room because they will always be editing. I do enjoy your blog. It is real life to me. I often wonder how the families of these people who constantly take pictures & do IG stories are feeling about their loved one spending so much time on this media. Keep doing what you are doing. Living a “real life”.
instagram is a life-eater and there is precious little of life to live so I exited instagram and rarely ever go to pinterest for same reason and now only go to a handful of decor blogs (yours on the keep list). while I click, life passes me by. so I click less often.
Love this! I especially agree with the animal filters. I’m pretty sure we’ll all look back at those ten years from now and be like, “Why did I have a cartoon dog on my face?” 🤷🏽♀️
I couldn’t agree with this more! I’ve found myself becoming more and more disenchanted with Instagram lately. Mainly because I feel like all I’m seeing are the same things over and over and I fear that it is starting to influence me not for the better. Meaning, am I picking this piece because it truly resonates with me, or because too much Instagram has tricked my mind into thinking that’s what I really want?
I appreciate that you keep things genuine and I never mind seeing a picture with your kids. It’s real life and seeing inspiration of a stylish home that works with the reality of daily life is always of interest. Thanks Emily!
One big trend I’ve noticed with instagram is people posting photos that are not their photos. I’ve seen designers post photos of someone else’s work, caption it with some inspirational quote or say something generic like, “A rainy day like today calls for a cozy chair by the fireplace,” and then do the “…..” for four lines and THEN they post the little camera icon to say who designed the work (if that!). You’re left wondering whether they designed it when you see it initially, and only once you read the entire caption do you realize it’s not their work. The sad thing is I did a little test of that strategy myself, since I’m trying to grow my social media presence a little bit as I try to start my own business. The photos that weren’t mine got SO many more likes and a lot more engagement. Granted, they were popular photos to begin with but it was depressing. I tried to make it very obvious that the photo wasn’t mine, give proper credit, and weave the “inspiration” idea into my caption, which is truly why I was interest in the photo to begin with.
I do still like instagram despite the fact that there does seem to be a lot of “noise” there. I appreciate it as a creative outlet. As you said, most of us are “creating” little scenes in our homes like artwork and I find that satisfying. I know some people think it’s weird to enjoy showing that off to people but understanding how an audience responds satisfies the creative side of my business development brain too–understanding what is appealing, what types of photos people gravitate towards, what is trending, etc. is all really fascinating to me too. I also think that showing off an ideal version of your home, whether it be to guests or strangers, is hardly a new idea and something that people have been doing forever. I think it’s just amplified more now that images are so easy to take and share. Thanks for the interesting discussion!
Love that you brought this to light! While I love learning about new places and trends, many of the stories have gotten out of control with unboxing products and so much talking about virtually nothing. Much like you I would rather see a thoughtful image here or there.
In particular, I follow many bloggers on instagram and have noticed that there is so much posting and “storying-uh” (laughed so hard at that because it’s accurate) that few have current content on their blogs. While I don’t expect all bloggers to post every day or even every week, I MISS actual blog posts where thoughts are developed.
I love Instagram & I love your post. I don’t follow many people so I haven’t really come across much of what you have written about, except the date night thing. I also don’t really believe it & I am lucky if my husband & I even get out 2-3 times a year alone.
I do miss your blog posts & Instagram posts though xx
I agree! It does feel like a lot of houses look the same and everyone is constantly trying to sell something.
Well, I guess I’m in the minority because I still really enjoy Instagram. I feel like it’s my own curated magazine and I will drop someone like a bad habit if their posts just aren’t doing it for me anymore. I follow a lot of travel photographers from either favorite cities or places I dream of traveling to, also gardeners, chefs, funny animal sites, a few favorite celebrities and lots of designers. I never look at stories – just pretty images. As I like Facebook less & less, I like Instagram more & more – just wish it was chronological.
I agree with you Anna. Just don’t follow someone you are not enjoying. I love Instagram.
100% agree. I quit Instagram earlier this year.
I really enjoyed this post and reading the insightful comments of your readers. I have 2 accounts, one that is private, family oriented and fun, and the other that is for my side business and hobby of sharing pretty things (@bunnybowles) and although I have never followed either of my accounts very closely (and I only get on Facebook once a month and have never even opened an Insta story 😜) I also find that what I loved about Instagram has become a bit oversaturated and more reminiscent of the over sharing that has kept me away from Facebook.
Anyway, I am a long-time reader and fan, and I think you have a gift of tastefully sharing your beautiful authentic life that resonates with so many. The Internet and Instagram are a better place because you are on them, Emily Clark! 😊
I’m not even on IG because I have enough of a love/hate relationship with Facebook that I didn’t want to give myself the chance to get entangled with another social media platform! I appreciate your date night observations. We’re the same and hearing it elsewhere makes me feel better. Before kids went out every single week “to get into the habit”. It didn’t stick. I never ever thought I would be the one saying that, but here I am saying it. We usually go out every few months and do dinner and an errand. We aren’t really movie people and we’re too tired to go bungee jumping or rock climbing.
I agree! Wholeheartedly. It’s just affirming to know that someone else feels the same way… I’m not crazy, stick in the mud, grouchy, old fashioned… you get the picture. Those animal faces are just ridiculous for adults. I DO NOT GET IT.
One of my favorite posts of yours on the blog is …your favorites and when you add this/ take this away.
I gave up Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest and online auctions for lent. Have more time in the day and better able to stay focused on my to-do list rather than when distract myself with other peoples lives. Think I will stay unplugged.
I am so glad you wrote this – think the same. Insta used to be my secret place, full of pics I wanted to see and I would post some myself (kinda like a “dear diary”). Now too many of my Facebook friends have come on over and it is feeling more like Facebook! Still, I love that I get to chooose who I follow.
I definitely am not a fan of animal filters but suffered from FOMO I used a face filter (not animal)! I, too, like a short story, preferably no -verbal! Glad I am not the only one who has felt this way. But keep posting! Love following you.
I’m so glad you blogged about this!! MUTE. BUTTON. IS. LIFE. CHANGING. I had no idea you could mute someones stories until i read it here. I enjoy the picture posts because most give context (almost like a mini blog post-if they’re a good instagrammer) and the ones who post a picture with a very cryptic one word description irritate the snot out of me. Or the required 25 hashtags. I follow a variety of people so my feed doesn’t seem boring to me. I don’t mind the swipe up button because I have actually bought things from a suggestion! I dislike the animal filters, baby voice teeth suckers, quasi-valley girl voices, sponsored posts (only because I will get 20 bloggers saying the same ‘My FabFitFun box came today and it’s soooooooooo awesome!!!!). I kind of take it for granted that if you are posting a date night twice a week, then it’s probably not very genuine (my husband and I were totally in love and didn’t do ‘date night’, we connected and talked many times through out our day). I love when people post cute things of their kids, I dislike intensely people that post their kids who are clearly having a meltdown…..i went through 4 kids doing that, i don’t want to watch your child do it. But my all time favorite dislike are the women who post their husbands/kids who are CLEARLY telling them they don’t want to be video’d, don’t want to be on Instagram, don’t want their picture taken …..and they do it anyway and POST their husband/partners reaction as if it’s funny. This is probably crazy on me but it makes me CRINGE and I feel sorry for the husbands and kids! I had 10 Instagram accounts tell me yesterday about Vero (“I don’t know what this is…..I don’t know how it works….but hey, I signed up over there so follow me if you want….”) kind of posts and I had to laugh. How does Instagram feel about their ‘influencers’ promoting a different site?!?! So for me, Instagram is what I make it, no more or no less. I don’t have all my social networks connected (I haven’t posted anything to Facebook for 3 years, although I still have an account and follow my kids and friends from high school mainly). I have 30 followers on Instagram and I follow around 400 accounts. I see maybe 30 new posts a day because of the algorithms so if I want to check in on a certain feed that I love, I will go to it directly. To be honest, it’s not near a big a time suck as it used to be because before I would scroll through my feed until i was seeing things I had already seen. You can’t do that now, so I don’t look at it near as much. By the way, your blog is one of my favorites!
I agree Emily. I do post occasionally on IG but it’s mainly for myself – a place to put a picture of something that makes me happy or something trivial I want to remember when I scroll back. I can’t care if it makes all 85 of my “followers” happy or not. I appreciate likes and comments but it’s just not a life changer either way. I do like your IG feed, and I love the kid pics, it reminds me that life is not one-dimensional and I appreciate the humor you bring on the subject of mothering.
Also, If we are listing pet peeves here, can we all just agree to never do boomerang anywhere ever? It will have me deleting-gah so fast…
Keep doing what feels right to you, Emily, (unless, of course, boomerang).
In all honesty, I don’t really get Instagram. I just enjoy your blog :)
AMEN!
I love your commentary. I have never noticed the g thing. That’s hilarious!
I hate the advertising and I wish people only shot their own original content. When I follow a ton of interior designers and they repost all each other’s stuff, it bugs me. I am kind of a dork and don’t know how to use the stories and the weird animal filters and I Think that is for the best. its the only social media I am on. I like it for a quick scroll before bed or a quick picture to send out to family and friends to tell them I am still alive since I am not on Facebook.
I echo missing you Saturday posts. And just your voice and perspective. I still think you are relevant and gorgeous and amazing. Don’t let those silky dog ear wearing, g pronouncing influencers make you second guess any of that. I still check for a new post everyday.
Agree! Too much of the same thing. But my biggest pet peeve- using the phone screen as a mirror to fix your hair while you video yourself. Really?
Such good points Emily! I think for businesses Instagram is a must.
I look at most bloggers who are making a living at it over post share becauses it’s their job. I cannot stand though when every post has a liketoknowit link. I won’t like those anymore because I don’t need tons of emails on things I won’t buy.
Also I am disheartened when bloggers post crazy expensive wardrobes as if $1000 shoes are perfectly normal. For some peeps sure they can and do spend that. For me I have to consider my three kids and what I could do with them instead of spending thousands on my wardrobe.
Last I think it’s finny because when I do post kid pics I’ll lose followers but I don’t care. I think a site looks better when their insta shows work and life because it is a balance.
Oh and I like insta stories but ignore if they’ve got too many.
Not a blogger and only follow family members, but it still gets to be too much sometimes! The “guh” I have noticed and thought maybe it was a blogger podcast thing? Still irritating. I use Insta the way I used to use FB, just to see family pics, but may have to figure out another way because I am really hating the ads on there now as well. Judging by the number of responses you have you struck a nerve–one I wish others would listen to!
BUT I love seeing pictures of your kids. I only have one grandchild and he lives far away and I need to see pics of kids as they grow up. I love it! I find that I’m not Instagram as much as I used to be. I follow some very creative people but I have to work hard to see what they post. Things don’t show up the way they used to. Love your blog posts (Saturday 6- nudge, nudge😉) and your Instagram posts. I came here from FB so it’s clear that I’m stalking you. 😳
I’d like to also say that you have some quality people who follow you. I love reading through the comments and seeing the words of wisdom shared. Thanks for creating this community.
ooooh this is good! i read this post as soon as i saw it, but saved it to come back to and read all the comments i knew you would get. i very much feel like you do…. date night? we are lucky if that happens once a year! we don’t always find the time and with a new baby coming we just don’t have the money at the moment, so date night was on the chopping block. i am terrible about actually looking at people’s stories and when i do, mostly they do annoy me because i don’t want to see you play with your messy bun hair and talk about “oh you guys, i am so messy today! because i am just so real!” (read, but really i know how cute i look and am trying way too hard to seem authentic). as for kids, pets, etc… i LOVE seeing those sprinkled in… i love real life and people who are relatable. people showing constant things to purchase are NOT relatable to me. people showing me things they did with barely a budget and a little creativity, well they inspire me! and on that note, my most liked photo of the year so far was one i shared of emmy’s bedroom on her birthday, when it truly looked like a storm had washed through and emptied everything and left it all on the floor and bed in its wake. people loved it because it really was real. i couldn’t stage a mess that catastrophic if i tried! ha!
IG, in my humble opinion, is contributing to a couple of issues with our society… narcissism which is a true disorder, and anxiety and shame and depression due to people feeling like they don’t compare. i do try hard to keep it as real as possible while not losing too many followers along the way because i don’t want to contribute to those problems.
all of that being said, i always love your thoughtful posts, and like one reader mentioned am a huge fan of the saturday posts when you do those! i love your realness and relatability and would love for that to keep going and would be sad if you turned into “just another IGer” sharing the same room from 20 different angles.
What a brave & honest post!
It would just really be nice if every IG post was actually something original. I don’t get why people think, “Oh I liked so-in-so’s photo of xyz. I’ll do one kind of like it!” Other commenters have listed some good examples, so I won’t get started… What is the point of these copy cat posts?! Why should anyone care if it’s not something new? It’s like teenagers all dressing the same to feel like they ‘fit in’. And it’s why we are all getting IG fatigue!
That and the algorithm making it so you don’t just see all your followees’ posts chronologically are the two main reasons I have lost so much love for IG.
I like hearing people talk on stories so I can get a better feel for them. And absolutely don’t mind seeing their kids. I eat it up! Kids are fascinating! I also really love real life photos. Best paired as a swipe over from the ‘pretty’ one 😂
God bless! Keep keeping it real!
I love your kids, Emily! My favorite post is the sad-faced Saturday crowd when the snow did not arrive. I have often felt the same way about no snow, especially after a big hype, and I was glad to have company. Thanks.
Thank you also for mentioning the animal filters. I am puzzled by the appeal, at least from the readers’ perspective. I click on decorator stories to see interior design, because I like each lady’s spin on a room. Cute bunnies are better in emojis.
Really appreciate your insightful post and the helpful comments of the other readers. Can’t wait to try the block option for stories that I am not interested in viewing.
Once again, your blog content was timely and valuable, Emily. Don’t stop!
You are spot on!!!! Thank you!
Agree Emily! I never leave comments but this one resonated. Although I do enjoy IG, it can start to get a little exhausting- as opposed to inspiring! As a side note, you are one of my favorite designers and I love your posts and inspiration. Most of all, I appreciate you being so genuine and keeping it real!
Yes yes yes! (Although the kids, I have to admit I enjoy most of the time). Thank you for your honesty! I’ll add – sorry, not sorry – but I’m completely over sponsored posts (“oh here we are, just a mom in heels, in my new silk top (it’s on sale you guys!!!) with daughter in her $84 dress (use code “mama” for 10% off!!!) pouring laundry detergent (use this brand it’s the best everrrrrr!) into our beautiful high efficiency washer (#sponsored) with fresh flowers nearby on our marble countertops!”).
Feeling better now thank you :)
Can I be the one comment that defends/explains?
– the animal filters also annoy me. people use them because they make you look better — bigger eyes, clearer skin, etc. it’s a vanity thing.
– i say “g” at the end of those words. Is it possible that it’s just an accent? I’m from Virginia, I dunno…
– I actually love IG stories. I believe bloggers use them to tag items to make money (swipe up!) and to that I applaud their hustle. I use it to post things I want to share but that I don’t necessarily want on my permanent feed.
follow me for lots of unstaged, messy photos of my poorly decorated home and wonderful kids ;) @amandaleighvt
I never got into IG – FB was enough. I thought about Twitter … no, not for me either. As far as “ing” goes, it’s right in the same ballpark as “are-rent” (thanks, Malfoy!! did they never hear it’s a contraction?). Love your post – and I love seeing pics of your kids. :)
Some great observations Emily. Keep sharing your designs they are inspiring.
Well, this topic got some feedback!! I too have mixed feelings about IG. I started very carefully only following accounts I really wanted to see and it has gotten out of hand. I appreciated the reader who said she was doing a Kon-Marie on her account. If it doesn’t bring her joy, out it goes! I have followed a few fashion bloggers for mindless entertainment. But good, grief, it has turned in nothing more than a hard sell side show. Swipe up! (i.e.: swipe up please so I can get a commission and then get even more clothes). It is insane! I understand it is a business but I am turned off by the 5 outfits a day and the swipe up for each one. My daughter said it well, it breeds discontentment. No one in real life has the amount of clothes and no one wears them once and then resales them on Poshmark or some other outlet. I also get tired of the box openings and a view of all the free products received in the mail.
I have cut my list way down and find I am happier with the limited content. I can appreciate the National Park Service photos (they are stunning!), a local Atlanta architect who is genius and also appreciates beauty, a couple of food bloggers who are so creative and just funny and a few sweet friends. I love your vignettes and views from your home. It is real and lovely. Your children are so stinkin’ cute it’s not even funny (so please still post about them) and thank you for your blog. I too, miss the Saturday 6.
I also LOATHE the animal filters. I can’t take anyone seriously who talks in a high pitched squeaky voice looking like a deer. I do love following you on IG though, makes me miss the busyness of parenthood.
Mostly IG frustrates me because it is a time suck. Since the New Year, I’ve only been posting on M, W, F mornings and checking back/scrolling through and leaving comments on M, W, and F evenings. I feel a lot better about life in general since I started restricting my social-media time.
You are spot on! All the narcissism on IG drives me nuts! I might step on some toes but I think selfies are so tacky! I’m not talking about selfies with your kids or someone else trying to make a memory. I’m talking about selfies people take after they spend hours on their make-up and hair and have perfectly styled a photo of themselves and you know they’ve taken 50 pictures to make sure they get it just right. Or worse, they are driving while taking a selfie, ugh! I was following someone that is a really popular decor blogger and she posted a selfie at her grandpa’s funeral with his coffin in the background!! Girlfriend, what are you doing?! That is NOT ok. I had to pick my jaw up off the floor after that one. And that got her unfollowed immediately. Ick.
And yes, the stories have gotten ridiculous. This isn’t a reality show. Is someone taking care of your kids? How do you have time to film all of these? I barely have time to go to the bathroom….
It is my favorite of all the social media platforms. It is quick, easy and you can move on without saying anything other than a click for “like”. Blogs require more time and I frankly don’t want to spend the day on my computer searching for them. One click Instagram is for the lazy I guess but I am loving it. LOL
I too, totally agree with your post. I really do enjoy your Saturday Six and wish you might consider continuing posting those. Even if those posts are all you do they are really delightful.
Thanks.
I actually haven’t joined Instagram. I enjoy reading blogs and one of my favorites is seeing pictures of others’ kiddos and their real day-to-day life :)!
Hi Emily,
I’m probably the only one who cares, but from a linguistics perspective, the “g” is not silent in “ing” words. Neither is it pronounced. The “ng” is actually it’s own sound altogether (a velar nasal https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velar_nasal) and only can be used at the end of consonants in English. In other languages it can be used at the beginning of consonants, like the very popular Vietnamese last name, “Nguyen.”
Thanks for listening, and thanks for all your posts. I’ve been following you for years…
I thought about mentioning this too but figured I might also be the only one who cared. 😂
Glad to see I am not! That said, I do understand what Emily is trying to explain regarding the overenunciation of -ng.
Also, I wanted to add……this is by far my favorite blog! I appreciate your honesty and creativity and always in a realism and
Also, I wanted to add……this is by far my favorite blog! I appreciate your honesty, creativity and the beautiful yet realistic decor ideas/projects you share with your readers! Thank you !
I’ve always loved your honesty and your blog is one of the very few I still follow after all these years. Keep doing what you’re doing because it works.
Also there are some people who do not use not proper capitalization in their writing. If someone writes in all lower or upper case letters then I totally refuse to read anything they post.
OMG-guh! I love this.
I adore the Instagram platform for all of the same reasons you mentioned. I love beautiful, inspirational images and Insta is the perfect place for them. What I hate is that everyones images have started to morph to all look the same to me!? Same captions, same poses, same featured places/things… Where is the real life? Where is the character and personality? It’s become all about pleasing the masses + growing followers and not about showcasing our individual tastes and personality… and that makes me kind of sad.
Don’t even get me started on stories… I have plenty of annoying minutia in my own life — I don’t need to see yours. I’m just like you, in that if there are more than 10 dashes, I don’t even bother watching. It’s just not interesting to me. Oh, and I love kids. I have 2 of my own. But please don’t show me stories of your kids doing something potentially dangerous/hazardous while you’re commenting and laughing in the background. “Awwww, how adorable is Sally! She thinks my new Chanel $45 brand gifted lipstick is a snack!” That’s totally my pet peeve.
I just don’t have the time, patience or head space to deal with social media trends these days… I’m hoping that if I just keep plugging away “doing me,” people will still be compelled to follow.
Great post!
OH, Emily, once again, you struck a chord, as apparent by all these comments. I so agree with all you said. Instagram has always been a conundrum for me. I like being there and interacting with readers and friends, but it just feels so competitive and I never feel like I fit in, therefore I’ll never get really big over there. I don’t follow the Instagram rules, so that alone will keep me from growing that big and that’s just fine with me. I have always tried to be as real as possible on there and on my blog and my readers constantly say they appreciate that. Most of my pics on there are from my phone, they are rarely perfect. I post lots of in progres things. My home isn’t mainstream decorating and not the popular trendy style that is out there now, so I get limited followers. I love my color (as you do) and always want to just be me and the folks that like that will follow along and the ones who don’t, won’t! It’s pretty simple and that’s how I want to keep things in my life. Social media is so distracting to real life and I just hate that part! Life is too short for mindless activities and I’m afraid social media is really just that. It’s not important in the scheme of life and we put way too much power there. I do it because I need to as a blogger, but I never want it to take over my life. I do like Stories now and try to do more of them so my followers can get to know me as a real person behind the scenes. But I don’t do them. all. day. long….I know there are so many who do that and even as I watch, I think…why share all the details every single day. No one’s life is that exciting! Keep being you, dear Emily!
Rhoda, I really like your style and appreciate that-like Emily- you bring something very different to the table. The farmhouse, all-white look is beautiful but it’s a trend and it will go out of style at some point. And I know I’m in the minority on this one but I’m so sick of all the gray. I love to see more classic design and more interesting color choices. You keep doing you!
Rhoda, I agree with Sue. You’re a much needed voice in a world where everything looks the same. :)
Yes to all of this!!!!!
Thanks for sharing emily! For years I did the instagram thing, and I did it because
1. I love pretty photos and styling.
2. It generated income when I sold watercolors or art classes, etc.
3. Instagram USED to be inspiring.
BUT!
In January I logged off for good, deleted the app, and never looked back. I honestly don’t miss it, and feel so free without it. I now find my inspiration reading magazines or online archdigest and elledecor, and a few blogs. I don’t sell as much anymore, but that’s okay. Clarity and minimal thinking is much more of a priority than having an instagram life.
Most of the stories I’m just not into either. I mean, do I need to know what you’re doing at the red (I hope!) light? But PLEASE keep posting your giraffe videos. I never watch videos and I bet I watched that one a dozen times.
I love to see posts with your family in them. I have 5 kids to so I feel like it’s a connection we have :)
I’m old school. I just like to read blogs. I don’t do podcasts, I rarely look at my Instgram and I don’t do InstaStories. I know that being a successful online presence involves staying on eTrend too but it’s just not me.
I love your Saturday posts and miss you posting more often – on design, lists of things you’re enjoying, really anything going on in your life – but I totally understand and support your reasons for needing to reevaluate how you’re spending your time. <3
I gave it up for lent and it’s been amazing! I’ve read so much more and also feel it’s forced me to start to get back in touch with my own personal style both in clothes and my home. and stories…I had a few favs but some people were over the top!!!
I probably enjoy IG at the moment more than any of the other Social Medias (the stories not so much) as an observer more than posting. I started following a handful of bloggers a few years back and really enjoyed reading the blogs on my computer (guess I’m old fashioned) primarily because I really enjoy realistic interior design and needed ideas for my house as I decorated and made it our own. However, I’ve noticed that those bloggers that I used to follow have turned more to fashion with dressing room pictures, perfectly styled a photo of themselves, and hair and make-up tutorials that I really don’t enjoy much. I follow a handful of IG accounts now that solely dedicate their pictures to home and designing content and I’ve really found some beautiful pictures and ideas. Some might be a little staged but I still enjoy the designing aspect of them. I still check back occasionally on the blogs and will be pleasantly surprised to find that a home update or new design idea has been posted but for the most part I am using IG for that purpose. I really enjoy your blog because it’s usually home content, not much fashion, and very realistic and practical designing that I find I can incorporate into my home.
Thank you for posting this. As a blogger, I admittedly look at Instagram as a chore, something I feel I must do. I don’t do Instagram Stories (I probably should) because I don’t like “reading” them myself. I enjoy following Instagram to a point, but to be honest I prefer Pinterest for inspiration. I am a visual person. I like to see big photos on my big screen rather than postage sized ones.
Love this post, spot on! I truly believe that 3/4 of the people on Instagram are full of it! Everyone trying to convince everyone else that their house, marriage, meals and children are perfect. And so sick of people trying to shill clothes, products, etc. with their endless swipe up’s…
Emily—
I definitely can agree on many of your observations! In addition, I liked it when IG posted things chronologically. I now get things from five days ago on one feed and five minutes ago on another. And I know I’m missing out on some posts altogether. Also—I like a photo with just a few words as caption. Most of the time. There are exceptions but epistles shouldn’t be done w every post. I love seeing homes, cool places I would otherwise not see in my real life, and I do love seeing some kiddos mixed in.
I truly enjoy your feed and your blog!! 💙
I feel like you somehow read my mind. I am “new” to IG (just since the summer) and am just completely over it. Originally, I found it refreshing over FB. Now, (esp. the video stories) have me left wondering why false eyelashes are legal for any woman, esp. those of at 40. I find myself thinking, “why can’t these women do anything without filming it? Target trip? Who cares? Even date night, go and enjoy it…without us to watch!
Yes 100% to everything you said!!!!
OMG, I almost never post a comment but you just said everything that I think when I look at Instagram lately. Especially agree with the 947 dashes and the animal ears/nose filters on grown women. Why?!!!
I love Instagram for the kid and family pictures. I want to also hear about real products that people use not sponsored post. I want to look at Instagram and smile and maybe laugh and then move on. Don’t need to see the 8 million things people like at the Nordstrom sale.
I love your pics of your home and your family and family life!
The instagram stories – I feel like everyone thinks they are their own reality show and deserving of a following.
I’m very curious about the children who are constantly being filmed and their lives shared with friends and strangers.
Such a great post, such great comments! Social media has completely changed our society. Some live their entire lives there. (Why?). Some choose to not engage at all (My BFF). And some strike a balance with a little here and there. For bloggers and influencers, it’s “necessary” for brand partnerships but one must decide exactly how much time to invest. I’m in the minority and opt for minimal time because I’d rather enjoy and live my life than watch yours. #sorrynotsorry.
As far as Instagram, I’m with you girl, what’s with the 50 Insta Stories in a day. Really? Can’t understand it. I often wonder what’s the motivation there? WHY are you sharing all these random thoughts? It’s so strange to me. Does no one value their privacy anymore? I cherish mine and don’t see the point of sharing every.little.minute.detail with the world at all times. What have we become as a society that people are SOOOO self absorbed? I only watch a handful of people that actually have something legit or interesting to share.
Also please for the love of humanity, NO ANIMAL FILTERS if you’re over 15 ladies and gents.
Love you Emily, thanks for always keeping it real.
xo
Interesting post and I love reading through the comments! I am new to Instagram so I am still learning the ropes. I personally love seeing pictures of kids/families because to me that is very real life! If there is a lot of Insta stories I don’t go through them. I think I have been posting more things way after the fact-especially because I feel like I am posting more for grandparents and feel to busy in the moment! I still haven’t figured out all the filters and functions and just haven’t taken the time to learn-the animal ones are a bit creepy.
Such a good conversation posts! Thanks!
Yes I agree with everything! I’m curious about the person who over-enunciates the “ing”… I feel like you were referring to someone specific.
One thing that I would add to the list is the bloggers who feel the need to tag an affiliate link to every. single. post. They could be having a cup of coffee (which, I’m not sure why that merits an instagram story), and they will let you “swipe up” to their freaking mug. Or their nail polish. Or their lip gloss. It’s exhausting. I understand that a lot of time these people are inundated with DM questions asking “omg what color is that nail polish!” but some people’s feeds just feel like a nonstop commercial of all the minutiae they have purchased lately.
Emily, I love your style and am very inspired by your blog. I’m very surprised to hear that people aren’t interested in posts of bloggers’ kids. As long as they’re not done every day, I really enjoy them. What I do not enjoy are constant affiliate links and sponsored posts. If a blogger introduces me to an item and I buy that item, I have no problem with them getting a commission on my purchase. If I purchase a different item that day or later, they have no business making money off that. So many bloggers I used to love for their engaging writing or design inspiration have shifted to constantly schilling. It’s ridiculous and they should be embarrassed. I think if more people realized how the affiliate links actually worked they’d be turned off to a lot of blogs completely. Sorry. Rant over.
Aahhh, yes- the 82 dashes, I immediately skip right over that. What are they thinking? I recently learned how to “mute” Instastories from individuals. I follow a ridiculous number of accounts- mostly of cottages, gardens and flower farms, but with some family, friends and bloggers thrown in. It’s been nice to limit the Instastories to people that I’m actually interested in hearing from- you know, those that have something interested or informative to say. I have noticed one person emphasizing the “g” in “ing”. So guess what? I “muted” her. : ) I’ve also been unfollowing accounts. I have found Instagram to be inspiring and a pleasant distraction. I just realized I needed to do a little clean up to keep it that way. It is now even more of a pleasant escape for me since did the clean-up.
Yours is one of my favourite blogs because you are real, and practical. I enjoy seeing photos of your kiddos, mostly because I admire how you do it with a house full!
I hate, hate, hate, the animal filters. As soon as the appear, i skip; they seem so childish. They distract from the message, in my opinion. And the instastories that go on and on and on – well they can go on in someone else’s attention span!
anyways I wouldn’t change a thing about your blog. love it; it is perfect just the way it is!
Thanks :)
I don’t blog as a job, so I may have a different perspective. I think your relationship with Insta depends on how you use it and what you expect from it. I don’t use it for entertainment. I left FB pretty much because of the politics and ads. If I need inspiration I go to Pinterest. I went to Instagram mainly to keep up with our extended family scattered all over the country. It has really helped us feel more connected since we see more of what we are each doing on a regular basis-things that don’t come up during the annual family reunion, and also, who has time to pick up the phone to keep in touch anymore? So I don’t have a zillion followers, just close family and friends who really care. PLUS, I use it as our family journal. I have an account at Chatbooks which prints my posts and binds them into books automatically-so it serves as my scrapbooking/journaling/communications outlet all rolled into one. I limit my posts to one or two a day, max, and spend maybe ten or fifteen minute max scrolling. I ignore the ‘stories’ -ain’t nobody got time for that!