Would You Rather Be Heard Or Seen?
The Problem With Instagram
That was the question I posed to some of my bloggy friends. I’m troubled over the proliferation of social media and its emphasis on pleasant images rather than authentic commentary. Blogging is on the downturn and Instagram is booming.
More people simply want to look at you than hear you.
As a blogger this is discouraging. The platform is meant for expressing your thoughts and connecting with people. Sure, we can have pretty photos but if the blogger has no valuable information or commentary to offer me other than where they bought their latest pair of shoes, honestly I won’t bother visiting them again. There needs to be some kind of connection whether it be humour, activism, life stories, creative ideas or simple opinions. I need more substance than just pretty pictures.
Yes, of course there are exceptions to the rule, bloggers that are creative geniuses or those that take spectacular photos in exotic places are a source of visual inspiration however I can count those on one hand.
I’ll be honest, I’m not successful on Instagram, possibly because I feel it is mostly devoid of meaningful content. Instagram is filled to the brim with pretty images and quotes. I suppose the quotes are there to make us somehow feel that the time we’ve wasted scrolling through two hundred and fifty images in ten minutes is time well spent.
Am I “connecting” with anyone like that?
To me, Instagram is based on photos without meaning and moments without truth.
I’ve never felt any kind of bond with anyone that I “met” and followed on Instagram. In comparison, I feel a certain kinship with the readers of my blog, especially if they comment. We know a bit about each other, we’ve invested some time getting to know how the other person thinks and what is important to them. Also, I’ve met some great real life friends via my blog. On Instagram I’m just scrolling as fast as my thumb will take me.
How does social media enhance my life?
The take away I get from social media is that it is simply a marketing strategy encouraging shameless self promotion and mindless consumption.
Am I missing something important and worthwhile Instagram offers that I haven’t figured out yet?
As far as Facebook and Twitter goes I stopped visiting those ages ago. As an Etsy seller and blogger I continue to have operating pages only because it is expected of me. I post automatically to them via Etsy or Instagram but I don’t frequent those sites more than once every few months. The value of them eludes me.
On Instagram you can leave a heart or hand clapping emojis in a fraction of a second.
It’s faster than reading a blog. People feel they’ve interacted on a much larger scale without investing the time. Is that truly a way of connecting? Are the hearts we receive meant to fill our heart with joy and acceptance? Does it make you feel that way?
I know I cannot force people to connect with me on the platform I prefer.
It’s such a shame because I’d drop all of my social media accounts in a heartbeat.
Blogging is where I can most fully express myself.
Many other bloggers I know feel the same way as myself while others dropped blogging altogether and are now only using Instagram. Certainly the amount of time and effort that goes into a blog is greater than that of an Instagram account.
All of the bloggers I asked said they would prefer to be heard rather than seen.
What about you? Would you rather been seen than heard? Does social media enhance your life and if so, how?
Linking up with Jess over at Turning Heads Tuesdays.
This is an excellent commentary on a topic that I’ve discussed with my friends who have blogs (including you). Instagram is a photo-sharing platform, and therefore there is no need for thoughtful, or entertaining captions. I get much more engagement on my IG feed than I do on my blog, which I find to be disappointing, but as you have mentioned, it takes no time at all to click “like”, or send a heart, but it takes an effort to leave a comment on a blog. That being said, I have connected with people via IG, even met a couple in person, so it can be a means to bring like-minded folks together. However, if I did not have my blog, I would not have the amazing friends I’ve found in the blogging universe, so for me, it will always be more important to be heard.
I just haven’t had the same luck as you connecting with people on IG but that is probably because I don’t invest as much time in it.
That’s an interesting viewpoint. I actually follow several very thoughtful Instagram accounts that don’t have blogs, and their captions are “mini blog posts,” or, really, more. Their lengthy captions are in fact more thought-provoking than many blog posts. But, yes, they are the exception on Instagram.
Also, as I’m dealing with ageing parents on both sides, including multiple strokes, I just don’t have the time I used to for blogging and social media. I stopped blogging completely for several months but managed to maintain a presence on Instagram. I guess that tells me something…
I’m sorry to hear that you are dealing with so many issues Andrea. That must be worrisome and difficult.
Like you, I’m feeling more and more ready to finally let go of certain areas of my online presence, probably Twitter and Facebook. I’m not enamoured at all with IG but will continue with it for now. My blog will be the last thing to go.
For creative expression and actual development on online friendships–blogging is by far the way to go. I use FB primarily for “real-life” relationships that are too far-distant and I like that it helps me keep in touch with all those people living across the world (I’ve got a FB messenger call scheduled with my aunt and uncle for this weekend). Twitter…only because a blogger “Should” have twitter, but I have no real interest in using it. Instagram is a bit more appealing than twitter because at least there’s more chance for interesting words without such a small character limit, but a blog is definitely preferable for any actual content. Plus, I’m old-school, and typing on a computer is a million times better than trying to type on a little phone.
I couldn’t agree more. I hate typing on my phone.
never been on instagram – not even to look…… so you will guess i´m one that want be heard 🙂
i´m impressed by the blogger community i found via my blog – i even made good friends – like you did.
but i too stumbled over a lot of blogs that are not worth the time it takes to load them up – or reading the lengthy texts.
on the other hand i have the feeling that a lot of people want not to connect in a deeper way than just on a small talk level like insta…..
its all about the soul behind 😀
xxxx
I too feel that many people prefer a “heart” rather than an honest heartfelt comment which is surprising to me. On IG it feels like it is all about quantity over quality.
I much prefer blogging to Instagram! The following unfollowing situation drives me mad and I wonder sometimes if the people that follow me on Instagram are only there so that I follow them back! I have however made some good friends on Instagram as well as through my blog.
One thing I will say though is not to underestimate Twitter and Facebook. I actually get just as much feedback from there as anywhere else.
Laurie xx
Many people I know have complained about people following them only for a follow back. I’ve never followed people like that. I choose the people I want to connect with based on the content of their feed.
I agree that many people, especially in our demographic still use Twitter and especially Facebook to connect. Since I haven’t been consistent with posting on those platforms my posts no longer come up in people’s feeds. I’ve pretty much given up on them and never visit them anymore as my engagement is pretty much zero. I do feel that you will get more of a response if you are willing to put time into that particular area of social media.
I regard IG as being cotton candy for the brain. Something I can look at after a long day and I don’t want to think too much. It’s pretty but not taxing. Blogs make me think and are more engaging. Definitely worth the time and effort. FB is now pretty much garbage in garbage out. I can take it or leave it. I really enjoy your blog posts and look forward to them.
Ha! I love your description of FB. That’s exactly how I feel about it.
Thanks for commenting and thanks for reading : ) As a blogger we have no idea if anyone likes what we do. I appreciate the feedback.
I want to be both seen and heard. And I love Instagram. But that’s because I use it for a totally different purpose. I post very few outfit photos (only to ’advertise’ what’s on the blog), I mainly post photos of all sorts of random things that catch my eye. It’s my photo diary in a way. And it allows me to switch off my overloaded, over-thinking brain and engage the creative side by making me look at the world in a different way.
I also follow very few people on Instagram, and I certainly don’t follow most of the bloggers whose blogs I read. Because what’s the point of getting the same pictures twice? And I like reading blogs and getting to know them…
No, on Instagram I follow people whose blogs I don’t read (because I’m not fluent in the language they write). But mostly I follow people who post completely different material (architecture, landscape). I specifically go to Instagram to look for pretty pictures (not style and not even people) to switch off my brain. I don’t often even scroll diwn my feed but look for specific hashtags instead. And Instagram has kittens! I follow a lot of kittens…
As for Twitter, well, that’s where all the loonies are these days. It’s scary. And Facebook, I have a personal page to connect with my aunts and uncles and a few colleagues. None of my friends are on Facebook…
So, yes, I still read blogs. Just don’t comment often. It has taken me ages to write this comment on the iphone…
Kudos to you for writing on an iPhone! That is one of the main reasons I don’t write or respond on my IG. I no patience for the time it takes to write anything out. My fingers never hit the right keys.
I can certainly see you point about following different people on IG from the blogs you read. It is often rehashed content.
I know personally that if I cannot connect or comment on a blog it turns me off and maybe that is why I’m not really “connecting on IG”. All I do normally is leave a heart because I cannot type what I want to say. Also, honestly, how much is there to say about a photo other than “nice shoes”?
I have a problem with leaving comments on some people’s blogs, like you own and Melanie’s from Bag and a Beret and I still can’t comment unless they add a dropdown for name and blog. It is a shame because I feel like I’m not able to connect with you as I would like.
I believe I follow you on IG, but I really read you on bloglovin. Love your photos.
Thanks for following but especially thanks for taking the time to read : ) I appreciate it!
Ah, you didn’t ask me! But that is probably because you know my answer. I am like you. I love the interaction, I only follow blogs which are interesting because I can connect with them, because I can laugh with them (you score highly on this).
I use the other social media to draw people to the blog. And if I do connect with somebody through IG, it usually is a blogger who left a long, engaging story with the IG photo.
I think blogging will become more niche, but the kind of blogging we do, will certainly survive. There are readers following us who want what we offer. And the rest didn’t interest us anyway.
Greetje
Do you find you can acquire new reader’s to your blog via IG? I haven’t really experienced that. They seem to just want to look at the photos and not engage beyond IG.
My first love is blogging.
I get great pleasure in reading and writing posts and the photos then enhance or lead the story. Instagram and facebook both have that ‘flicking through a boring magazine as a distraction at the dentist’ appeal, where you give a cursory glance and move on.
Some the of the best posts I have read do not have photos. The words create the pictures.
I love that some of the best post you have read don’t have photos. I think our society needs to be weened off our reliance on pretty images. Reading allows our imaginations to bloom.
I’ve felt also overwhelmed by the proliferation of social media and those pretty images without a context. Blogging has (usually) more substance, I prefer to know something about the ‘real life’ of the people, their thoughts and feelings, their creativity but also their quotidian life, their stressful job or their problems with plumbers. I’s not only about watching beautiful clothes on somebody!
Blogging rules!
I still like Instagram, because of the spontaneity and the inspiration which it provides. But it’s becoming too much time consuming and there’re too many prepared photos and advertising.
besos
(I’m loving your skirt and how lovely it looks with the denim jacket and the red boots!, You Look Fabulous!)
I’ve also noticed many more advertisements lately in my IG feed. It is starting to look like FB!
Loved this post and totally agree blogs beat other social media hands down. I also find blogs more relevant to real life than magazine articles. I don’t blog or post anything on social media but reading blogs is an enjoyable part of my post-retirement day. It keeps me in touch with what’s going on in fashion, sewing, food and other people’s lives generally and I would so miss this narrative if everyone stopped blogging. I found you via Fake Fabulous and it’s great how the list of new people I love reading about is expanding even though a lot of bloggers are now looking to other platforms instead. So thank you for taking the time to write and long may you continue to do so.
Thanks so much for commenting Val! I’m always curious about my readers that aren’t other bloggers. I appreciate that you take the time to read my blog and am delighted you chose to comment as well.
You expressed clearly how I also feel about blogs.
This hits home with me, Suzanne!
I have a love-hate relationship with Social.
I HATE Facebook, with a passion.
I love Instagram, for its instantness… of course!
BUT
I love reading blogs and looking at the images there much more.
I feel a connection to someone with similar interests.
It’s much more satisfying than the scroll-tap of other media.
XXX
Samantha
You hit the nail on the head. Blogging is much more satisfying than other forms of online interaction. It’s a full meal rather than a snack.
I started blogging fairly recently, and by the time I’d taken the plunge, a lot of the bloggers I’d been following “behind the scenes” had quit. I know most of them have switched to Instagram, but so far I haven’t taken the plunge. I’m not sure if I ever will. I’ want to be seen but more importantly, I want to be heard, and for me blogging is perfect for combining the two. I love reading blogs too, and feel a connection with the people whose blogs I follow. I don’t think I’d get that on Instagram. I’m on Facebook, but that’s just to connect with my real-life friends, some of whom live on the other side of the world. But it is and will remain blogging for me for the foreseeable future. As Monica says: blogging rocks! xxx
I knew you would want to be heard, especially when your writing is so poetic. It would be a shame only seeing the photos on IG and none of the personal backstory or sentiments.
I want both!
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. Instagram is like reading the cheat notes for a book rather than the actual thing. You get the gist of it but no real depth. Much as I love a great outfit I want to know about the person behind it, where they go on holiday to, who they vote for, if they have pets. If I just wanted nice clothes I’d buy a magazine.
I resisted IG for years but lots of my blogging & Facebook friends defected and nagged me into joining so I could stay in touch. I quite like scrolling through and liking stuff but, as I can only access the internet through my PC _ I resolutely refuse to have a smartphone – I miss a lot of posts and can’t keep up.
Blogging will always be my first love as I adore writing, I feel that, over the past 9 years I’ve built up some wonderful friendships and love the carefully thought out comments I receive. I get excited when my friends publish blog posts and like to save them up and reward myself with a mammoth reading session every couple of days.
It’s a shame that people don’t comment as much as they once did (apparently it’s difficult to do so on a phone) but when I checked my stats recently I’m getting more visits than ever. If nobody ever read my blog I’d still write one!
PS You look fabulous in red! xxx
I also feel that fewer people comment possibly for the reason you mentioned, it is a nightmare writing on a smartphone. I know. It’s the #1 reason I’m going to simply tap a heart on IG. Doing otherwise takes too much time.
I used to write my blog for years without having any readers. I think now though, I wouldn’t keep blogging should my readership continue to shrink. It simply takes too much time and effort to maintain the blog and although I still enjoy writing I would probably put my creative efforts elsewhere and go back to painting or drawing again.
What an interesting question, Suzanne!
I’m with you. I want hear what people have to say and the photos are a bonus. I like the quotidian aspects to people’s lives. We’re all the same yet we’re all different. It fascinates me – pictures just don’t do it for me. Pinterest is another matter altogether…
I joined FB to keep in touch with family in Ireland because it was cheaper than phoning and I joined IG later for the same reason, but I only look at it if I get a notification that someone I follow has posted. I don’t follow any of my bloggy friends on IG. I’d rather read their blog! I’ve never done Twitter and don’t intend to. Blogging is enough for me.
I’ve loved meeting new people from all over the world since I started blogging and I love reading their blogs. I have had to streamline the number of blogs I follow as blogging and following blogs is a time consuming business and there’s only so much time I can focus on a screen…
Thanks for stimulating this debate.
I agree about needing to limit the number of blogs I read. In previous years I would spend 2-3 hours daily reading and commenting on blogs! I shake my head when I think about that. Now I focus my efforts on those bloggers that communicate with me.
Forgot to say what a gorgeous outfit you’re wearing !
As a blog reader and not a writer, there is nothing better than catching up on my fav blogs. They always add something to my day and I’m grateful for this. I so enjoy bloggers’ reflections, stories, experiences and humour- and their generosity in sharing their life and photos with the likes of me. I thought I ‘should’ join Instagram but was bored after 2 days and haven’t looked since. So without a doubt I need words to bring a photo to life. Thx Suzanne for blogging – im one of those terrible silent fans!
I’m so happy you chose to break your silence and leave a comment JP : ) Feedback from readers (even more so than other bloggers) is the gas that keeps my blog motor running.
I saw your IG post and had to come and have a read. I love instagram but my first love was blogging and I would still prefer that to instagram. I loved writing posts and I loved reading posts by others and I loved the interaction and the camaraderie between bloggers. I felt I met some really wonderful blogging friends over the years I did it. However since having my daughter I just don’t have the time between working and child raising to blog or read blogs and comment at length. (Daughter is taking a rare nap so I’m lucky on this occasion!). I love photography so Instagram fulfils a creative drive there and it also lets me connect with family who want to see pics of my daughter and me. It has also let me reconnect with blog friends from my blogging days which has been really special for me. I really missed catching up with other people’s blogs including yours. And yes, Instagram is much easier for me to do on the go, in between work and home or when I get a rare moment of peace! I love it for that. I also love that I can interact with another person’s post by leaving a trail of hearts or a LOLing face. I guess this can come across as insincere but for me that functionality is a lifesaver when I don’t have the time to write full sentences anymore but want to send some heartfelt appreciation for a post that has wowed me on IG. So please accept all my hearts to you as my way of saying I love what you do!
Thanks for taking the time to write your feelings on this subject. I really appreciate it.
I will admit that I miss your blog dearly. You are an excellent writer. I understand that life pulls us in other directions and we all need to make choices where to focus our efforts. Undoubtably family and friends should be coming first.
For now I will continue to post sporadically on IG and focus most of my efforts on my blog where my heart still lies.
IG is just snapshots while a blog post is meat and potatoes. I use both using IG as the teaser (in other words – go read my blog post) and provide my post link in the IG post.
My interests work well with both, esp. since I moved away from modeling thrifted fashion and entered the world of quilting.
I find that niche groups are a world unto their own, both on blogs and IG.
I also use IG much like you do as a teaser for the blog. I don’t know that it works for me though.
Great post, Suzanne. Well, I met you and some other super-amazing people through blogging. It has always been my main creative outlet and place for getting to know people. And definitely, I would rather be heard than seen.
The only other thing I do is IG and I post outfits every two to three days. Still, I feel the added weight of it. That said, I do feel that I’m getting to know other people on there. Right now I have a bigger audience on IG and can share videos, including those hilarious ones we made together. From that perspective, it also is a great for showcasing other visual work.
The future seems to be about popularity. It’s disturbing. Social media is held out as a path to success and wealth, but popularity based on fairly narrow parameters isn’t necessarily a good basis for that. I do feel like the kind of blogging we do is losing momentum, but like-minded people like us will keep it going.
Now I feel like I should be joining Twitter and FB to promote when there is some “newsworthy” thing in my life. It makes me feel a bit sick thinking about it. To REPOST on IG now, the app asks for permission to access all my photos. NO!! It didn’t used to need that. I feel like I’m resisting something that cannot be defied. I don’t have a phone number for the cell phone I use, data only (thank you again by the way!!) but it’s only a matter of time I guess. I feel angst now. Must stop here.
Am I allowed to reply to a post that is not mine? Hope so..
Mel, did you happen to see th Black Mirror episode regarding social media and popularity… it was exaggerated and a bit silly, but made its point and has stuffed itself neatly and stubbornly into my head.
Suzanne did you see it?
❤️❤️
Elle
https://theellediaries.com/
I thought that was a brilliant episode of Black Mirror that imitated real life very well. It is about popularity even when that has no intrinsic value.
I think that social media causes all kinds of angst for many people. You aren’t alone Mel!
Social popularity is paramount and it is frightening. One doesn’t need to look any further than our neighbour’s down south that elected the guy from The Apprentice as a their president. Even Justin Trudeau seems to be more about his IG feed than doing any actual work for the county. It is disheartening. One can only wonder where this leads us in the future.
I do enjoy IG, but blogging is definitely preferred. I agree, I haven’t made any real connections through Instagram. I recently heard a “successful” IG woman speak, and brands are all about that quick social media right now. They don’t care about content, just getting things in front of as many eyes as possible. Which is fine, I guess, if that’s your goal. But it’s not mine, so for now, I’ll keep doing both, as long as I enjoy them.
Yes, I agree…IG seems to be all about the quantity rather than the quality. I can’t subscribe to that way of thinking.
Great post, Suzanne. You and i have talked about this at length, and agree – IG leaves me feeling like I just had a tiny snack, while blog posts give me something to chew on. Your blog, for example, always makes me think/laugh/once in a while cry; you combine the visuals with great writing. Nothing wrong with IG if you love to look at pics, and I do it a couple of times a week. Reminds me a bit of the vids about how Millennials vs Baby Boomers process the world : >
xox
-Patti
http://notdeadyetstyle.com
Ha ha! Wasn’t that video funny? Funny and a bit sad really. Kind of how I feel about social media in general.
I enjoy both being seen and heard as my blog is mostly photopoems as you know!
I would write more lengthy blogs if I had time.
My work supposedly translates well to Ig but I left social media recently to give my brain more space.
I miss the interactions with Facebook groups I joined, and some family members. But mostly it was time wasting.
I still follow Youtube and Pinterest as they don’t require input from me, but endless scrolling just made me dizzy.
I definitely love the deeper interactions with other bloggers and love that reducing social media has now allowed me energy to interact with them more regularly and deeply.
But just as in real life, I have to guard my energies ( physical, mental and emotional) carefully. I need substantial payback to my investment!
I love your thoughtful content 🙂
xo Jazzy Jack
I hear you about guarding your energies for more valuable pursuits. I think that may be the issue I have with IG and all social media…the ROI simply isn’t worth the time put in.
This is a very well articulated post Suzanne. I agree there is something a A bit bland about an Instagram diet. Feels like a lot of empty sugar calories. But I am a sugar addict and I do like Instagram.
I do agree that blogging is a much more creative platform. I think a committed blogger will always do well. There are certain creative bloggers that are fabulous and will always have a good following. You are one of them.
I know I am guilty for spending a fair amount of time on Instagram. But it is something I can do quickly and in between other activities, and lately I’ve been on a faster pace than I usually enjoy. I do like the creative use of hashtags, too. And I have learned about some good products and sources from Instagram as well.
But in terms of creative content, there is nothing like great blog.
❤️❤️❤️
Elle
https://theellediaries.com
I need you to give me a lesson on hashtags. 99% of the time I cannot be bothered with them.
I understand what you’re saying and your concerns. Personally I’m not that occupied by these questions nor am I worried.
I have never understood Twitter and gave up my account years ago. I tried Snapchat for a sec and threw it out quickly. I’m still “on” Facebook, but I only go there every now and then. It’s handy in some situations, but I don’t “like” going there.
There are three bloggers, of which you are one, that I read everything from. Always. Not as an obligation, but because I really like your blogs.
I adore Instagram and yes, I have connected to people via instagram. A few times I have actually met people IRL via Instagram. Although I have to admit that these contacts have not “stuck”. Coincidence?
Quotes under pictures are 9 out of 10 times pretentious; I’m not a fan as such.
I also don’t like quasi-wise texts accompanying an Instagram picture. Nor cryptic “poetic” texts, suggesting intellectual or emotional depth to either the depicted sunset or to the person behind the IG account.
Humor is always a good quality, as are really good pictures, interesting personalities , authenticity, another take on things, storytelling, craftsmanship, travel inspiration and art.
And to cheer myself up, I start my days with 15 minutes of animal video cuteness on IG.
You keep blogging, girl! You do it so well!
I found it really interesting what you like or don’t like about IG. It goes to show that social media is so subjective.
I must admit that I do love some of the cute pug photos I get on my IG feed. Probably more than anything else I see on it.
I’m so happy that you brought this subject up because so many of us bloggy types think about this one a lot. I get very sad whenever I think about blogs fading away. I sort of feel like Instagram is like a cocktail party…lots of people…lots of little treats..lots of mini conversations. Blogs are more like an intimate dinner party. Lots of time for one on one talks and a nice big meal. The latter takes more time but is more fulfilling. It’s nice to have access to both. But the big issue for me is usually: Oh no! I have nothing to wear!
Ha ha! Yes…the old problem…nothing to wear to the party ; P
I will admit that I really do miss your blog Connie. Your IG feed it fun but I feel like I’m missing out on the important stuff.
Instagram can also be used for connecting if you start using the stories. I’m actually starting to get to know some women really well as they share ‘everything’ there. You can also easily post videos which help to connect as well.
But of course you are right that the main app is mainly for sharing ‘beautiful’ photos. I have started disconnecting from it as I run my blog as a business and instagram was simply not delivering the traffic (much better for me to focus on facebook and Pinterest). So I can just continue to use it for ‘fun’ but lately I feel even too busy for that. The other problem with Instagram now is that if you don’t post every single day, your posts hardly get seen seen when you do post which is another reason I find the platform discouraging at the moment.
Blogging will never completely die. As you say people still want in depth information and connect deeper. Instagram can be good to get a bit of attention, when they want to do go deeper they go to your blog or buy your courses. My blog still is and will always be the heart of my business as there is where people click on my links and subscribe to my newsletter which allows me to stay in contact with them and connect further 🙂
Thanks for commenting on this Sylvia. I appreciate your experience and advice when it comes to all things online.
I’ve found the same thing on my FB account, so very little engagement. I haven’t posted regularly enough so I no longer come up in anyone’s feeds.
I agree with Vix…Instagram is like the blog version of Cliff Notes. I often hop over to a blog post based on what I see on Instagram. Like you though, I like a blog with some substance. I often enjoy writing the story part of my blog more than the outfit stuff. As far as Instagram is concerned I enjoy it too, but it’s more like brain candy as opposed to the meat & potatoes of a good blog post. I’ve been fortunate enough to find people that I consider friends both through the blog & Instagram.
Debbie
http://www.fashionfairydust.com
I’m terrible about ensuring that I post what I’ve currently got on my blog on IG. If readers are relying on that to know when I’ve posted something interesting on my blog they will be disappointed and miss 50% of my blog posts or more.
I will admit that after blogging for so many years now that blogs that focus solely on the fashion bore me to death. That is why I like your blog, I love your personal stories.
Great post, Suzanne! I completely agree with you and would absolutely rather be heard than seen. I have all but walked away from Facebook, don’t use Instagram and never could get into Twitter although it is a little about being heard, I suppose. I do use Pinterest but my feed is quite varied and not all about pretty images and often I follow links to read something as the Pin comes from an article or blog post. I think Instagram can function like that but I would just rather go straight to the blog.
Pinterest has replaced flipping through magazines, which I used to use as a mental break instead of television. I want to be heard, I want to connect and I want to help/support/motivate/encourage. I do not want to present a false or incomplete self based on some idea of perfection. Life isn’t like that. What does it say that so many people are attracted to this? Is life getting so overwhelming that people need the fantasy? Are people deluded into thinking it’s real and that they can emulate it? We all indulge in a little fantasy, I think. I look at images of homes I will never have, but I want content. There is a home decor blog I used to follow and got fed up with because every post was just one image. What was the point? Maybe the blog was created before Pinterest or Instagram. I might have stuck with it if there were several images but just one which I can view in my Bloglovin’ feed and thus don’t even need to open the blog post. No Thanks.
Oops-a bit ranty there: TLDR
I’d rather be heard.
I believe you have summarized beautifully all of the issues I have with IG.
IG is a vapid wasteland of visual garbage meant to make us feel bad about ourselves.
I’ve never seen an Instagram post but I’m sure it’s an entertaining forum if you are after visual stimulation only.
I want to know the women behind the images. People are so much more than the image they project. My fashion magazines offer beautiful images and are piling up and unopened since I discovered connecting and sharing ideas with women all over the world was possible. I don’t blog myself and I don’t do Facebook or Instagram but I have relationships that I treasure because I read what women do, think and feel. That I know what they’re wearing is fun but not motivating my choice to follow them.
“People are so much more than the images they project.” Is SO TRUE!!!
I think many bloggers strive to tear back the polished image so often displayed in photos and share some of their authentic selves through their blogs. I know that is what I strive to do.
I would much rather be heard. I love writing and sharing stories on my blog. I also love engaging with like minded bloggers and collaborating – like you, ones that I connect with and make me smile! As far as Instagram, I’ve stopped trying to keep up with the rat race to almost nowhere…I post if I have something of interest to share or to let followers know I have a new post up on the blog. I’ve met some wonderful women on IG, but I prefer to follow them on their blogs. I do use Facebook and am part of a few FB groups. They are smaller groups where we brainstorm and collaborate and that is fun for me.
Great post!
xx
Suzanne
http://www.AskSuzanneBell.com
It is funny how often I hear other bloggers express their feelings about the need to keep up with the rat race that is social media and IG. It is amazing that the platform is such a success given how most of us feel about it.
Hi. This is Fay. I left a comment on your Instagram page about the difficulty I had experienced trying to leave a comment on your actual blog page. This is a test to see if it works. Would you mind leaving a brief reply if you can see it? Many thanks x
Hi Fay…yes…I got this : )
Fantastic!! I have finally worked out how to do it!! It’s great to know that I can comment on your blog properly now.
Yay!