Rachel Brathen

Ok, some real talk. I accidentally stepped away from Instagram for a month and I have to be honest: it’s really hard to think about going back. For many reasons! Part of it is that posting to Instagram leads to scrolling on Instagram, and I have 100% settled into the fact that aimlessly scrolling is one of the largest sources of anxiety in my life. Not just because of the content I end up consuming on here (which, let’s agree, oftentimes is stressful and just plain nuts) but because of the inner knowing that every hour spent here without purpose is an hour of my life lost. When I don’t post to Instagram, I don’t scroll on Instagram.

The other part is the longing I feel inside to share only what is honest and unfiltered and true. I miss the old days when posting to this app was more about feeling and writing than fast-paced clickbait. I hate dealing with the algorithm and I hate editing videos (more hours lost!!). There are incredible content creators on this app who do such a great job at storytelling through video and who really love doing it - I’m not one of them. And also; who am I sharing for these days? The joy and beauty of sharing something intimate gets lost when the people it’s intended for (you!) don’t see it. It’s why the podcast is the only platform I truly love sharing from; everyone who listens listen on purpose. And I really love the feeling of creating something with intention, and the feeling of having it received in the same way.

So I’m trying a new thing. Can I pop in and share, and head back out? And can what I share just be whatever? Like me in my pajamas holding this 18-pound vase I made with an Instagram caption about how I don’t know how to be on Instagram?😅

Life is really precious. And short! This vase took me 9 hours to make and not a minute of it felt like time I should have spent doing something else.

I’d like for all of my hours to feel that way. How about you?

x