Breaking The Instagram Mold

Instagram has only been around for 13 years, but humans have been writing, creating and expressing ourselves for millions of years… way before the internet was a thing.

Currently, Instagram wants us posting short, high-intensity Reels. I often have to carve off parts of my message to mold to the platform’s content recommendations.

The more I follow these rules and guidelines, the more the algorithm sends me views, comments and followers. The flood of positive attention feels good, validating, and sometimes even like love.

But the next day when I wake up, instead of thinking “What do I want to create today?” I ask “What will get me more love on Instagram today?”

This shift is unconscious, and it seems subtle at first. But it’s not.

When you carve off an inch every day, the truth of who you are becomes more distant.

Less and less of you shows up until one day you look in the mirror and you don’t recognize the person looking back at you anymore. All this, just to feel some social media “love”.

But what is your anchor, as a creator? What do you really love?

I am someone who loves depth. I thrive in long conversations, not 10-second soundbites. I do 5-hour portrait sessions. I love talking about deep topics and taking my time.

These very true elements of who I am don’t seem to get a lot of love on Instagram, so to play the game I carve off parts of my message to fit into the mold. But this can be very destabilizing.

My suggestion to other creators out there is to do a quick check-in. See if Instagram (or any other social media platform) has snuck its way into your creation process. Do you start with “What do I want to create today?” or “What will work on social media today?”

It’s super subtle, but can make a world of difference.

Big love,

D