A creative life without social media?
Since June 2020 I’ve uploaded to Instagram twice. This was deliberate. We were going through strange times, we lost a dear family friend and I couldn’t cope with all the online noise - it was making me anxious. I decided to take a break from Instagram, a platform I’d been producing content on for around five years, for a week. Months later I’m still keeping away except for the very occasional Instagram Story.
I learnt a lot about myself when I cut ties with Instagram. I found I was very distracted and it was a habit to pick up my phone every time I came to a pause in my writing. I became aware how lonely I was without the chats I had on social media. But then I started to slow down. My breathing became less shallow whilst writing. The chaos in my head where my attention was split between writing, filming and uploading to Instagram dispersed and I was starting to think more deeply. It was a real lightbulb moment.
Which got me thinking. In an age when we are encouraged, as writers and creatives, to have a platform - was there another way? Was there a way of marketing my writing without being distracted by the relentless need to upload my progress and process?
I became intrigued and started to investigate. And I found books, videos and articles so I’m listing them for your reference below. I’ll add to this list as I discover more. And if you have a recommendation then please do let me know.
P.S I have (as of November 2020) recently returned to Instagram on an occasional basis. Whilst it’s lovely to catch up with many I’m in contact with on there I will not be returning to the days when Instagram ruled my working and writing life (see ‘Fool me once’ link below). My journey with it is a balancing act.
Articles
Finding that flow by me, Helen Redfern. An essay (previously published on Patreon) about my process of taking a back seat from Instagram, how this has impacted my mental health and my work and what the alternatives are for my writing business if I am not marketing myself on social media.
Why I broke up with Instagram by me, Helen Redfern.
Fool me once…by me, Helen Redfern. A newsletter mini-essay about stepping back onto Instagram and why I’ll never make the same mistakes again.
Alexandra Franzen’s free worksheet about Marketing without Social Media.
Videos
Marketing without Social Media - a fascinating and thought-provoking video by Alexandra Franzen.
Brian Solis presentation about the dark side of digital devices and social media. He also said living your life on Instagram affects your productivity, creativity and happiness.
Why I Quit Social Media: My Advice for Artists and Creatives by Julia Bausenhardt.
One Year After I Quit Social Media (Part 1) by Julia Bausenhardt.
One Year After I Quit Social Media (Part 2) by Julia Bausenhardt.
Books
Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World by Cal Newport UK Link | USA Link
Digital Minimalism by Cal Newport UK Link | USA Link
How to Break Up With Your Phone by Catherine Price UK Link | USA Link
Alone Together: Why We Expect More From Technology & Less From Each Other by Sherry Turkle UK Link | USA Link