Can Life Exist Outside Social Media?

If an artist paints something and doesn’t post it to instagram, has she even painted it?

How does one exist in the world of self-employment when owning your own business is basically synonymous with hustling on social media?

It has been about two weeks since I deleted Instagram from my phone; two weeks away from scrolling and comparing and feeling like I’m participating in the world when I am not*.

This blog is one part of my “leaving social media” experiment.

Other ideas I have are:

• Emails: Send regular emails with photos that update people on what’s being made in the studio and my process. (My intention would be to take what I would normally post in Instagram stories and share this in emails instead.)

• Gallery: I will be making an effort to be part of my local art scene again. Instagram makes me feel like I’m participating in the world, when I am not. I feel lonely in a way that can only be resolved by participating in community events and opportunities.

• Vlog: I am considering starting a vlog?? This might be a bit much for me but since I enjoy talking more than writing, I wonder if it is a better way for me to share my work with the world.

Most importantly hope to have something of value to share with you all and I am open to your comments and questions.(And compliments.) I would even love love love your suggestions on what to write about. If there is a topic you would like to have discussed, please send me an email or write so in the comment section.

I think in my next blog I’m going to go into more detail about why I left Instagram and my experience with Instagram bonuses.

*I want to be clear. I don’t think Instagram is unhealthy for everyone. I’m sure that some of you are able to use it without losing yourself. I am not one of those people.