I’ve been thinking about how I can be more intentional with my energy on Instagram. I asked myself what I wanted and here is where I am.
1. I want more mess. Less glossy curation and more messy middle. Both in what I’m consuming and what I’m creating. (This change in perspective is thanks to Amie McNee and it is equal parts terrifying and freeing.)
2. I am here to share my art and encourage others to make stuff too. (Somewhere I picked up the idea that I *should* be representing “authentic motherhood” which is A. impossible and B. not my wheelhouse. It’s just not my responsibility to share all of “the hard parts.” I will only share what feels right for me.)
3. I want more original content and fewer reposts. (I’ve been experimenting with muting 90% of stories. Now I only see stories from a handful of people. No more infinite loop! With less noise I am more able to actively engage and less likely to doom scroll.)
4. I am artist, not an advocate. (I care deeply about many issues, but I will only post about them here when I have the bandwidth to make informed and intentional content. I am not the news. It’s not my job to comment on every breaking story. Neither is it impactful. I find my energies are best directed through my art, my university teaching job, and supporting advocates / non profits who are doing the work when it’s not trending.
5. I want real connections with actual people (especially kindred spirits.) To this end I’ve been doing some unfollowing. Mostly big accounts. And it’s forcing the algorithm’s hand. I’m seeing more and more content from my actual IG friends.
That’s it! What boundaries do you have or want on social media?