Finding Balance: Social Media Burnout
Today, I want to share a little piece of my journey—a tale of highs, lows, and finding my way back to creativity amidst the chaos of social media burnout.
Picture this: a few years into my Instagram journey, I was on fire. I was cranking out content left and right, posting on multiple accounts, and watching those follower numbers climb. But then, out of nowhere, I hit a wall. Suddenly, Instagram went from being my creative playground to feeling like a suffocating obligation.
I was drowning in the pressure to constantly produce, respond to comments and DMs, deal with trolls, and keep up with the demands of followers. It got to the point where I seriously considered throwing in the towel on both my photography and my diorama collection. Talk about a low point.
But thankfully, I didn't give up entirely. After taking a much-needed break from the gram, I had an epiphany: I still loved what I did, but I needed to find a way to do it without sacrificing my sanity.
So, I made some changes. First off, I decided to prioritize quality over quantity. Instead of bombarding my followers with content every day, I scaled back to just two posts per account per week. This gave me breathing room to create content in batches and actually enjoy my weekends for once.
I also stopped obsessing over my follower count. Sure, I lost some during my hiatus, but I realized that my worth as a creator isn't determined by a number on a screen. I stopped letting outside pressures dictate what or when I posted and focused on creating for myself first and foremost.
And you know what? It worked. By setting boundaries, being selective about who I engaged with, and putting my mental health first, I transformed my Instagram into a space that I actually enjoy being in. It's become a cozy little community where I can share my passion for photography and doll dioramas without feeling overwhelmed or drained.So, here I am, a little wiser, a little happier, and a whole lot more content with my tiny corner of Instagram. Social media burnout may have knocked me down, but it certainly didn't knock me out. And for that, I'm eternally grateful. Here's to finding balance, embracing imperfection, and never losing sight of what truly matters: passion, creativity, and community.
So, if you're feeling the burnout blues, know that you're not alone. Take a step back, reassess your priorities, and remember to put yourself first. Trust me, it’s so worth it.