For years, I posted to Instagram at least three times a week without fail. But over the last year or so, something has shifted.
Creating content for Instagram has not only started to feel like a chore, it’s actually beginning to grate on my nerves. And when something starts to feel that off, when I can physically feel myself resisting it every time I sit down to do it, I know something isn’t right.
You see, I’m one of those people who can’t trick myself into doing things. If something really goes against my grain, I simply run out of steam. I can’t seem to force my way through it.
And that’s exactly what’s started happening with Instagram.
I’ll sit down to put a post together, get halfway through it and then… just never finish. I’ll find every excuse under the sun to do something else – even video editing which I loathe! And the weirdest part of all is I have content ready to post, but I just can’t bring myself to post it!
So I’ve been asking myself why.
I think it started when Instagram began demanding more and more from us as creators, while giving us less and less in return.
These days, it feels like if we’re not creating gorgeous “viral-worthy” reels, posting constantly, keeping up with the latest format and somehow managing to please the mysterious algorithm bot, our content simply gets lost and never reaches the majority of the people who actually chose to follow us in the first place.
Whatever happened to the days when we could take a quick pic of the drawing we were working on, pop it onto our feed and actually reach the people who follow us? I miss the days where it was all about chatting and encouraging each other, and enjoying seeing what everyone was creating. It wasn’t about chasing the demands of an algorithm. Or the unhealthy pressure to make perfect content.
It felt light. It felt fun!
Now, when I log into Instagram, the energy feels completely different to me. I know this might sound a little extreme, but sometimes it almost feels dark, like it’s taking energy from you. That’s the best way I can describe it. Something about the whole experience feels heavier than it used to. Is it just me who feels that?
The culture of Instagram has changed so much over the years, and I personally think the pressure to continually create the “right” content to please the demands of a social media platform that ultimately decides what should appear in somebody’s feed has become counterproductive to me as an artist. Never mind the endless, mindless scrolling and comparison games we play when we aren’t posting.
We’re expected to spend more and more of our precious time creating polished content on a regular basis and in return, Instagram throws us a few crumbs by showing that content to a small portion of the community we’ve spent years building.
When did Instagram become a job!
I wanted to have my own business because I was tired of working for somebody else. I wanted the freedom to create art on my own terms and make the kind of content I actually enjoyed creating.
I didn’t work this hard to find myself sitting at my desk wondering what a computer algorithm would prefer and therefore be more likely to promote.
I certainly didn’t work this hard to end up with a social media platform as my boss! Telling me what kind of content to create, how much of it to create and how often I should be creating it.
When put like that, it actually sounds a little ridiculous, doesn’t it? What are we doing here people!?
And then there’s AI.
The possibility of our artwork being used to train AI models has added another layer of huge discomfort for me. Even with the opt-out options, I personally don’t feel completely reassured by them. Toggling a switch in my account might feel like it’s given me a choice, but honestly, I don’t trust that my objection will be honoured.
Maybe I’m too cynical, but I don’t think it’s unreasonable to be cautious about how our artwork might ultimately be used.
But here’s where my love-hate relationship with Instagram really comes in. Because despite everything I’ve just said, if I stopped posting there altogether, there’s one thing I’d really miss, and that’s you!
I love seeing the beautiful work my customers create. I love seeing someone use my brushes to make something completely their own. I love the conversations, the encouragement and those little exchanges between people who understand what it means to be on a creative journey.
That’s the part of Instagram I don’t want to lose. Ironically, it’s also the part that Instagram itself seems to be making increasingly difficult. What’s the point of building a community if the platform then decides that most of that community doesn’t need to see what you share?
And then there’s the business side of things.
Of course Instagram helps me reach new people. I’m not going to pretend it doesn’t. I’ve met wonderful customers through Instagram over the years, and I’m incredibly grateful for that.
But when I look at my business as a whole, Instagram pales in comparison to some of the other ways people discover my work. My Website, Pinterest and YouTube, for example, all give me far more freedom to share the work and content I actually want to create, without the pressure, and with a much longer lifespan.
A blog post I write today can still bring someone to my website years from now. A YouTube tutorial can continue helping artists long after I’ve uploaded it. A Pinterest pin can keep circulating and sending people to my work months or even years later.
An Instagram post? I can spend hours creating it, post it… and within what feels like five minutes, it’s disappeared into the abyss.
And so I ask myself, is this really where I want to spend my creative energy?
Nope!
That doesn’t mean I’m leaving Instagram. I’m not dramatically deleting my account and disappearing! I still love the community I’ve built there far too much for that.
But I am changing my relationship with it.
Instead of spending hours creating content specifically for Instagram and trying to keep up with the demands of the platform, I’d rather put that time and energy into creating things that have more longevity and will actually be found by someone who might find it useful.
That’s I why love spending time on my website, it feels like home. There isn’t an algorithm standing between you and me deciding whether you’re allowed to see what I’ve created. If you’re hoping to sell your work or products online and haven’t built your own website yet, I can’t emphasise enough how valuable it is to have a little corner of the internet that’s truly yours, a space you can control and shape in a way that works for both you and your audience. If you need more convincing, you might find this article helpful.
Which is why, if you haven’t already, I’d really love to invite you to join my mailing list. It’s the best way to make sure we don’t lose touch in this strange world of ever-changing algorithms.
I’d love for you to pop into my website every now and then, read the blog, browse around, watch a tutorial, download something useful, or leave me a comment below. I’d genuinely love for this little corner of the internet to become more of a place where we can connect and chat, rather than relying entirely on social media to do that for us. And if you haven’t seen it yet, I’ve started a community art board where you can upload and share your beautiful work here!
I think somewhere along the way, many of us started working for social media rather than allowing social media to work for us. We need to be reminded that Instagram is a tool, not our job.
So if you’re an artist or creative and you’ve been feeling that same heaviness around Instagram, perhaps this is your permission to rethink your relationship with it too. You don’t necessarily have to leave. You don’t have to delete your account. You don’t even have to stop posting. Maybe you just need to stop letting it be the boss.
Put your energy into the places that give something back to you. Make the art you actually want to make. Create things with a life beyond tomorrow’s feed. And use Instagram when it feels useful and enjoyable.
That’s what I’m going to try anyway!
Yes Lisa! Instagram has changed (and not for the better). I’d prefer to get an email with interesting content and actually read updates from who I follow. Especially if it’s not constant badgering to buy. If your content inspires me … I’ll buy!
Love your work x
Yes exactly! I completely agree. I love receiving newsletters I enjoy reading and find inspirational. Popping onto Instagram on the other hand often ends up with mindless scrolling and wasted time. Thank you for your lovely support and comments xx
I LOVE THIS Yes girl! Same same. Looking forward to this journey and wishing you all of the best! Newsletters are so whimsy, especially beautiful ones. Love taking a moment and reading a thoughtful newsletter. As apposed to doom scrolling.
I’m here for this! ⭐️
Instagram also makes me so anxious. My feed is filled with similar businesses and then I start comparing and doubting and feeling so discouraged. It’s awful.
The truth though, “our people” will always find us and each of us receive our blessings as due to us. Why do we put ourselves through the social torture.
Thank you for being brave and paving the way in this Era.
Xx
Yes same. Used to post daily but I don’t post much now. I have my stuff on there if anyone’s looking for me. I admire people who are a constant presence, but I only need art time and downtime. I don’t want to run a broadcast. Also it feels repetitive as many people pick a style, subject, and palette and stick with it to save time so though I like it there’s little element of surprise and innovation.
I used to LOOOOOVE social media – couldn’t get me off of it. Now? Not so much. The energy has changed, and it IS a chore to post on there. We’re not alone in feeling this way. That’s why your email list is *the* most important part of anyone’s visibility.
Merci Lisa pour cet article et j’aimerais te dire que tu as parfaitement raison, limite nous devenons esclave de l’algorithme simplement et c’est cela le plus dur. Avec tout mes encouragements et j’aime ce que vous faites, donc je suivrai toujours votre travail peu importe où
I absolutely agree.
Me too, Felicity! Lisa, you honestly could send an email that has your new content embedded in it (a link to your video), and I’d be there wherever you’d post it! I use to use my instagram account and facebook but I just have the lost the love of it. It’s been taken over by bots, AI slop, and there IS a darkness to it. Even the AI generated images are dark. I don’t like it one bit, It feels, well, without sounding too odd – evil. Technology is no longer serving us, we are serving it and those who benefit from controlling our social and other spaces.
I was just thinking about you a few days ago thinking I haven’t seen anything on my feed. I’m so glad I signed up for your email list ages ago. I agree 100% about Instagram it isn’t the same and I stopped actively posting everyday about a year ago as the algorithm felt like an exasperating battle.
I agree with what you are saying about Instagram Lisa. I stopped using it about 3 years ago along with facebook and anything else to do with the awful Meta company. They are only interested in their profits so artists and others who just want to communicate with each other need to be aware of that. I no longer have a web site but I have written a couple of Children’s books, Publicity defeats me so I just write and illustrate for fun now. I am retired so music and art are for my enjoyment. I will rejoin your web site as I miss seeing what others are up to. Carry on the good work Lisa
For an artist just starting out, it’s been even harder, at least the people who started on Insta in beginning managed to build a following. But I have a website and Instagram and no way to direct people to my site.. I have set up an email list. I mean everything is ready. I just don’t know how to drive people there.
I have made wonderful connections with artists on Insta etc, but I actually need to sell something to make a living.
I post 3 reels and 3 stories a day. It is exhausting. But I don’t know what else to do.
I used to love Pinterest as a pincer, but I find using for business very complicated.
Hi Jo! I definitely think you should persevere with Pinterest. You don’t need to get too much into the business side of it. Just create pins you think your target audience will find useful and then link it back to your website. I don’t think creating so much content for Instagram is the best way to spend your time. If you’re selling digital products, think of blog posts and tutorials your audience will find useful. If you’re selling actual fine art, create inspirational content that inspires your audience on how they can use art in their homes, etc. Your best marketing is building a relationship with your target audience by creating content – both free and paid – they will enjoy and find useful. Hope that helps!
Do you have anything you’ve written that has some tips on getting started with pinterest? I have an account but just for my own browsing and enjoyment! Not for posting things. I wouldnt know where to start!
Hi Christina,
I don’t have anything at the moment unfortunately. But I tend to keep my posting to Pinterest very simple! I create pins that includes content I think my target audience will enjoy, like one of my Character Drawing Toolkit mini tutorials, or a before an after of a texture, or an illustration I created with one of my brushsets, then I link it back to that page on my website. I try and post a few times a week. I use the recommended size for each post – you can do a quick google for the size. Remember, Pinterest is very visual so people will be attracted to images that appeals to them or answer their search. Hope that helps!
You’re so right about Pinterest. I take a couple of hours a couple of days a month to create and schedule very simple Pins. Right now I’ve 5 Pins per day scheduled through Sept. 20. It’s a slow burn, to be sure, but it’s a search engine not social media. What you post stays visible and searchable.
Thank you for voicing how a lot of solo and/or small business creatives feel at this point. We’re just tired of the relentless demand to provide free content, ‘or else’.
I’m no longer putting effort into social media either. Like you, over the years I’ve found that your own website is the most important calling card for a creative business – that and reliably doing useful high quality work.
For what it’s worth, I’m on your mailing list and have bought some of your products. Found you initially via Creative Market (IIRC – maybe Envato?). When that purchase turned out to be a great product, I looked up your site and got on your mailing list. No social media involved – a website and a quality product was enough.
As a side note on the mailing list – there’s a lot of advice out there that you have to push out EDMs at a brisk pace even if there isn’t really a new product to show, but as a recipient, less is more. I think you’re handling that aspect perfectly.
So happy to hear that Pete! I’m so grateful you found me and you’re still here supporting me! That really means a lot.
And you’re absolutely spot on, having your own website is essential and the best way to reflect not only your own style, but also create and present offerings that you really want to put out into the world without the demands of an external platform telling you what you should and shouldn’t be doing.
Thank you so much for taking the time to leave your lovely comments!
I agree I am not a designer but have been putting the artwork I create on Instagram now it’s hard to even get the size correct, so it shows the whole thing correctly
Oh yes!!! Having to fiddle with all the different sizes and getting your artwork to look just right is very frustrating!
Yes! I’m finding Insta to be rather restrictive of my creativity. It is a major chore and I’m not finishing posts because my heart is just not in it. It’s become so performative rather than a means to share what I’m up to.
That’s such a good way to describe it Sherri! It has definitely become performative. There’s something about it that’s demanding perfection from us, which, in my opinion, is almost the opposite of making art!
I personally love receiving your newsletters by email. If you doubled your emails, I don’t think anyone would complain at all! It feels so much more personal than hunting for your content on Instagram. I do follow you on YouTube, and I’m always excited to see a new video!
Hi Lisa, I love your timely newsletter. I am a textile artist with a website and a lovely bricks and mortar studio in a shop (although I am only open by appointment.)
Yesterday I totally lost both my personal and business facebook and my business instagram account (I got them back after a few hours of stressful fiddling about)
I too am thinking of spending more energy on my website, my blog and newsletter.
I love your newsletter and I love your style, your joy shines through, thank you Love Sandie x
So sorry to hear that Sandie! What an awful thing to have to deal with. Must have been very stressful. Glad you managed to get it sorted in the end.
Yes, I definitely think spending more energy on your website, blog, and newsletter is a better way for us all to spend our precious time. It feels like when we do that, we are honouring ourselves first, which is important. Thank you so much for your incredibly kind comments and support. It really means so much to me xx
Comment *Hi Lisa!
Yes….i am really tired with Instagram too, I LOVE y work, you r so much generous, your tutorials teach me a loy….i learn how to use Procreate with you. My suggestion is that you post it on your blog and send an email. Those who truly love their work will be able to keep up. Please, don’t abandon us… don’t give up! Warm wishes. xoxo
Hi Katia! You are so lovely!! Thank you so much for your encouragement and kind words. I promise I won’t abandon you xx I’ll always be here.
I’ve started a sketchbook on my website where I post my latest drawings and what I’m working on. I’m hoping to expand on that and then send an email every now and then as a summary of that sketchbook, if people would like to follow along with me
This is so well said! I so completely agree with you! (I do miss the days when Instagram was fun, though, but now I have no energy for it.) You have made me think very seriously about having my own website, though. I need to do that. Thanks!
Thank you for your opinion. I completely agree with you. Creating content is very exhausting. I plan to post short videos on YouTube that will drive traffic to my channel and website. I create illustrations and ceramics.
How much I do understand your position ! Completely agree with you too. It is such a timespend. I’d love to have my own website but it will also be difficult to touch people. Right now I have it with AQrtMajeur and it’s not good neither
Hi Lisa,
Thank you for voicing your concerns.
I feel exactly the same. And then the social media gurus – who we pay – keep telling us to work harder on our content, because we are also competing with AI generated reels. It is really ridiculous in order to stand out you practically need to make a fool of yourself just to get somebody in “PutSonderWater” to view your page.
I am also looking into different ways to reach my audience and hopefully to ditch FB, IG, etc. for good.
I am already a subscriber to your email list, also found you initially on Creative Market. I do not always get time to read your mails, but I do have a seperate folder in my Inbox with your name to do so later.
Regards
Alida
Hi Lisa, you’ve really hit the nail on the head. Instagram is just annoying these days. I don’t have a business, but I still want to share my creativity with my followers—and, of course, get noticed. I always enjoy visiting your website and shop anyway, and I own almost all of your Procreate brushes. I love your work.
So true and close to my experience. Instagram has not just taken control of us on what we want to see but what we need to post just to look significant. I have seen a dramatic difference that people who are making really scrap content are getting views and repeatedly showing up on our feeds than a genuinely good stuff. it’s one of the biggest contributors to brain rot for people.
Goodness me, I couldn’t agree with this post more. Insta has changed so much to the point I deleted it (and others) off my phone. There didn’t seem much point if I wasn’t going to see the people I follow and want to see. Plus the advertising is next level and super annoying. I have also heard of so many creators whose work is being scraped by meta for AI learning that I didn’t want to support that either. I’m very happy to follow you via your blog Lisa .
Hi Lisa, I’m so glad you wrote this post as this is exactly the feeling I have towards Instagram. Actually, I hate it! I hate making reels, I hate the control they have on us, I hate that they keep changing things and it’s becoming so difficult to keep up. I only have a bunch of followers because my art is not shared enough but, to be honest, I don’t care. I tried posting my mini illustrations everyday as a 100 day challenge and I didn’t enjoy at all. I used a scheduler to help me posting because I really feel I’m wasting my time by doing it and, as a result, the posts are cold. Only a short description of the artwork and a few hashtags, that’s it. I don’t care and I’m so scare about my art being stolen by their Ai. My humble opinion is that, everything that Zuckerberg touches, it becomes poop. He is just a greedy little man and a control freak and I despise him. I prefer Pinterest too, even thought things are changing there as well but to me is still better that Instagram.
Now I want to focus on creating a portfolio, opening a shop and on Pinterest.
Have a great day, Lisa and I absolutely love your work
Chère chère Lisa,
Quelle réflexion élaborée, argumentée et constructive !! Quel magnifique article tu nous partages là ! Merci beaucoup.
Personnellement, je n’ai jamais aimé les réseaux sociaux, peut-être parce que je pressentais ce que tu es en train de constater : leurs créateurs ne sont pas là pour te rendre la vie plus belle mais pour que TU leur rapportes de l’argent (ou du contenu, ce qui revient au même).
Probablement qu’ils vous appâtés en vous laissant croire que c’est eux qui étaient à votre “service” (pour vous rendre la vie plus belle, plus fun…) mais je suis persuadée que, dès le départ le but était celui que tu constates aujourd’hui. Après tout, nous vivons au coeur du capitalisme n’est-ce pas et c’est à qui sera le plus malin pour s’enrichir sur le dos de l’autre, ou des autres en l’occurrence.
Tu dis avec pertinence : “si j’arrêtais complètement de publier sur cette plateforme, il y a une chose qui me manquerait vraiment : vous”.
Mais Lisa… tu y a pensé toi-même : tu reviens au bon temps de ton beau site internet, une newsletter… et tu ne perds personne !! Et tu n’alimentes plus leur système qui capte ton travail sans rien te donner en retour !!
Alors tu vas certainement me répondre : “oui mais… les nouveaux ??”
Et là, tu tombes pile dans ce qu’ils ont élaboré pour te rendre captive : les potentiels nouveaux abonnés et malheureusement je n’ai qu’une chose à te répondre : tout à un coût ;-(
Mais, comme tu l’écris, cette promesse est en réalité une fausse promesse puisque ton travail nourrit leurs algorithmes et qu’en retour tu touches non seulement de moins en moins ton public mais qui plus est peut être même pas un nouveau public potentiel !
Donc j’adore lire que tu te remets à passer du temps sur TON site web et TES créations !! Ne crains rien, si tu nous mets une flèche pour nous dire : désormais c’est là, suivez moi ! on va toutes et tous te suivre parce que ton univers nous est cher et qu’il fait du bien à nos vies ♥
Pour revenir modestement à moi, comme je le disais plus haut : je n’ai jamais aimé ces réseaux sociaux et le présent me donne raison lorsqu’on lit ce que tu écris et qu’on entend le monde entier protester contre les torrents de violence(s) qui s’y déversent. Et pourtant moi aussi j’ai besoin de faire connaitre mon travail (je suis chanteuse) et j’ai toujours besoin comme tous les créateurs d’élargir mon cercle d’adorateurs (hihihiiii !!!) MAIS pas à n’importe quel prix et le leur m’a toujours paru trop élevé !
Alors j’en suis restée à ce qui me parait vertueux pour ma vie : un site internet que je nourris sans cesse et des publications sur Youtube.
J’adorerais publier sur ton “mur communautaire”…malheureusement comme je te l’ai déjà dit je n’ai aucun talent avec des pinceaux ou des crayons, je ne sais que chanter !! Il va falloir que tu ouvres l’espace sur ce mur !! ;-)))))
J’adore ta conclusion, j’adore ton engagement, j’adore ta façon de réfléchir et d’envisager le monde de demain et j’adore cet article qui est une mise en garde mais qui laisse toutes les portes ouvertes à chacun et chacune.
Et j’adore ton travail… mais ça tu le savais depuis longtemps non ?? 😉
I can so identify with this, but from the user rather than the content creator view point. Meta’s algorithm is so annoying. I hardly ever see anything from the people I have chosen to follow. What I see is an overwhelming amount of advertising, AI rot and stuff it wants me to see instead of what I actually want to see. I have to hunt to try and find posts by the people I actually follow. It’s so bad that I now hate going on Facebook or Instagram. I often feel like deleting my accounts even. One day soon I probably will.
Well done on having your own website.
Ditto Angela! They push what they want us to see (ads), not what we want to see! I have to go search for who I follow, which is a drag. I’m happy to say I’m already on the mailing list and love what I’ve purchased so far. I love that I can get email updates and jump to the website from an email link.
Thank you for saying this, I agree with everything you have said!! Ive stopped using instagram as I find it totally exhausting just to look at it never mind posting content. I hate all the noise now. I used to find it so inspiring and relaxing to just scroll through all the amazing art of the people I follow. It was like curling up with a coffee and a really good book. Now it’s all shouty and full of ads. A total assault to the senses. I dont know what the answer is though,
Thank you for being you and sharing your work with us.
xxx
Hi Lisa, I totally agree with everything you’ve said. I first found you on YouTube and love your tutorials. This pointed me to your website and newsletter which I thoroughly enjoy. I love taking my time reading your newsletter and finding all the wonderful artwork on your website. I’ve stepped away myself from a lot of social media as I find meta and the algorithms quite destructive to an artist’s peace of mind. I will continue to enjoy and follow you even if you slow down from instagram. Looking forward to your next newsletter.
Totally feeling the same re instagram – just Adverts and negativity (in comments – luckily not on my posts – but just that kind of vibe) now. Copying is definite a factor as with each update – I think the right to opt out changes too (in the fine print I’m sure – my theory / concern).
I have almost stopped posting on instagram as result, and am also focusing on Pinterest and my website. AI copying however seems to be everywhere now though. So is that safe too? Who knows. So just have to ride this storm.
Getting discovered (and paid) now is harder than ever.
Love your work, as always!
Oh my goodness, Lisa…YES!!!
I have been feeling it SO much lately.
I am at a huge crossroads with my art biz as it is…add in the nonstop pressures the algorithm throws at you…I am feeling at a breaking point!
Ugh…yes! I just want to see posts from those I follow, is that too much to ask for??!! Love your products and your work and will follow you where ever you go!
Hi Lisa
I’ve been following you and your work for years, and yes even on Insta, I can’t see your post as easily as before. Invest on your website, newsletter, your community will follow and grow. Thank you for sharing your thoughts. Instagram should not be work.
You are so right! In the past I gained lots of followers with the photo’s I posted. Now I illustrate but there are almost no new followers on insta. I learned most of my Procreate skills from you, so I’m very grateful for that beyond words but your account just never seems to pop up on my feed. Now I’m planning to publish my work (piano books, picture books and art prints in my own publishing house (will take a while) but I’m just not thrilled to share this huge step on Instagram. So I quite understand why you re feeling like this. I’m sure we all do!! Thank you for teaching us like you do. It’s gold!
You just put into words what I’ve been feeling and fighting for years. “Social media is the boss of what you create.” I hate that, and I have chosen to not post on Instagram anymore… or FB or anywhere else for that matter… for years. It is draining to have someone or something else dictate what you should make and share. The constant critique that what you share isn’t good enough, pretty enough, viral enough…I’m not all about that life! Thank you for this Lisa, and hopefully, an alternative option that is more about connection and relationship presents itself!
Agreed IG is a dumpster of ads and content that they want to push down our throats. I am no longer experiencing pleasure when I am using the platform.
100%!!! Insta and FB are mostly ads and online creators now that somehow keep showing up with content I have zero interest in seeing. I’m fortunate in that I just like to make stuff, I rarely post anything, and I am not running a business. I can’t imagine how frustrating trying to run a business would be. Anyway, I just wanted to say I love your content and your art and what an amazing teacher you are, You top my list of artists I enjoy.
I totally agree with you! I am and have been on your email list for a long time and I love reading your emails! Thank you Lisa!
I think your instincts are spot on, Lisa. As a follower of specific posts and/or creatives, I want to be alerted to new input from them (and YOU!!!)….. Knowing we want to see the new ideas and projects from these specific communities will hopefully give all of us creatives the assurance that are followers WANT to see what we say. Keep on sharing, Lisa. Your followers love your work to inspire us and learn!!!
I agree with a lot you said, but on a critical note, creators have changed their behaviour as well. Only a few take the effort to hit that heart to acknowledge they seen and liked your artwork. And almost nobody takes the effort to actually comment on your artwork. That used to be different too.
The IG algorithm has always been a mystery to me. I hardly seem to be able to grow, weather I posted daily or way less. And I am confident enough to know my work is worth being seen and liked.
Funny thing is, the algorithm has been made this way to make people hang out on the platform for as long as possible, but for me it has made me spend less time on it. And I don’t think I’m the only one. I do miss the interactions I had with fellow creatives and other nice people.
Hi Lisa – I cannot agree more with you! I noticed months ago that I was not seeing your posts and a few others that I really enjoy – I had to intentionally search for your posting. It is very frustrating and the way IG has changed my feed is very annoying as well. I look forward to your newsletter when you share it in an email and I always read your blogs, etc.. Thank you for keeping us all in the loop – you are top notch in so many ways.
Great thinking, Lisa. I haven’t taken down my account, but I hardly ever go to Instagram. I don’t have a huge following – just a couple thousand, but only 43 of them usually see a post (yes – that number actually recurs in the insights.). So what’s the point.
It’s time for blogs and newsletters and Youtube in my opinion – and of course for our own websites. I am redoing mine to be a much more comfy “home” online.
Lisa, one thing I’ve started to do that you really can’t do on Instagram is to push my blog. I’ve started sharing my new pieces to my own website’s blog, then share a link to that post instead of sharing actual artwork on social media. It does create some extra “user friction”, but in the face of all the scraping I’d rather share to my own table than add my stuff to the buffet and still get no interest. Albeit, it’s easier for me because I don’t do Meta and instead use Cara, Pixelfed, Bluesky, and Mastodon.
I feel like Meta’s version of social media has become marketing media, and the devolution is making it impossible to use. I don’t think anything will truly replace what it was in the past. So we need to accept that and turn toward tools that have a higher probability of rendering success longterm. Everything takes more time, now, so a 1-to-1 instantaneous replacement will never be possible even if it existed.
I am a big proponent of RSS feeds, and subscribed directly to your blog posts using a RSS reader. I find it helps me to mitigate getting triggered, as I don’t spend as much time on social media and instead can read the content I want directly from the artists themselves. I suggest leaning into your blog more.
Keep up the good work! I use your brushes in Procreate in every piece I make. Thank you for sharing your skills and your expert perspectives! You’re a huge inspiration!
I agree that IG isn’t what it used to be. I find the people that I follow who I still see on there are people who use stories. Other than that, my feed is full of ads and accounts that I don’t follow but IG thinks that I should.
I hadn’t thought about AI trying to steal my work. I know I hardly get any engagement, but I also don’t post very often anyway.
Lisa, I’ve followed you for years and I get your newsletter.
I’d love to find a replacement for IG. Does anyone have any suggestions? I recently was told about a website called CARA. They say one of their purposes is to keep AI from getting access to the images posted there. But it’s more like deviant art, it’s not set up like IG.
This blog post couldn’t have come at a better time! I just launched my website and tried to share it on IG and since I don’t follow the algorithm “rules” no one is seeing it. So disheartening! But I did find this post on IG so maybe I need to start blogging on my own website and share that! Thanks Lisa for this post, keep sharing!
Lisa, I feel absolutely the same about Instagram. I have a few favorite people who I follow, but otherwise, I don’t even care about it anymore. I started blogging, and it’s much more fun and authentic. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and feelings about Instagram, and for talking about other options people might enjoy more.
I agree. But, actually I always thought of Instagram as just a social fun site. Instant chat and info, not for business. Your website is wonderful and thank you for all you sharing and caring! I treasure hoomans that care! 🙂
Thanks so much for sharing this, Lisa. I agree wholeheartedly. There was a time I could post a piece of art on my personal account and get lots of likes and comments even when I didn’t have a large following. Now my posts and those of my creative clients go off into the ether. Your illustration is spot on and it made me smile, too. It does feel like we’re working for Instagram, not the other way around. I laughed when you said you’ll find anything to distract you from completing a post, even video editing which you hate. I actually really enjoy video editing, so if you ever need help, let’s chat! Keep up the great work. I love receiving your newsletter and seeing all of your adorable characters.
I’m in agreement with y’all. Social media isn’t connecting, relaxing or fun like it used to be. I realize these are all free sites for us to use and the owners get to do what they want, but what they want isn’t that appealing or friendly to creatives anymore. There are people on both IG and FB with whom I want to stay connected socially and creatively, so I remain in both places, but I neither post nor participate as often anymore. I’ve set my accounts to private and only post in FB groups that are private as well. It’s a little protection against AI theft, surveillance, junk and trolling, but it is isolating. It cuts down on who sees my artwork – like by a lot! — and it’s rare now that I connect with other artists who share similar and interesting preferences and points of view. With the hashtags no longer connecting well to IG creative hubs, the creative communities on IG have diminished. Many of my favorites have closed. Since my account is now private, I can also no longer participate with the hubs that remain active. Since all that’s what it is, I’m happy to continue to receive news and info from my favorite creative people via email. A few favorites have also moved over to Substack and I can get notifications in my inbox.. I think it’s a good idea to have a presence on IG for business and creative reasons to offer updates and info about where to connect (blog, Substack, etc), but in a way that doesn’t deplete one’s energy. I do check in to see what “my people” are doing on IG and I appreciate seeing they’re still around, still creating, and where might be a better place to connect. Thanks, Lisa, for taking the time to write us. Look forward to more with you and this creative community.
I have never been good at social media because I have had so much resistance to it from the beginning. I just…don’t like it.
I agree – I don’t trust that if I check the box it won’t be used for AI learning. Even if they honored that, other AI bots are out there scraping and learning.
I was having a conversation just yesterday about how no matter what you type into a search engine the response are always primarily something to sell you. Used to be you’d stumble over somebody’s cool blog or website but now it’s just sell, sell, sell. I believe that is why users don’t see accounts they follow — because the algorithm is simply pushing more ad content — or what it thinks you want to see based on what you’ve looked at and who you follow. And don’t get me started on the ridiculous amount of ads on Pinterest. I understand they have to make money but my entire feed feels like it is 85% blatant ads.
Clearly you are not alone, Lisa! So many replies already. And I feel the same way. I am not very good at using Instagram, clueless about making reels, and unmotivated to waste any time trying to cater to the whims of Instagram. So my account sits there with precious few followers, and that’s ok with me. But I admit that I am not running a business. If I was, I would be looking at other platforms, too! Have you considered Substack? That seems to be (so far) void of the chaos of Instagram. ANYWAY, like so many others, I love your emails, and would welcome them as frequently as you wanted to send them. I am a devoted follower of everything you do!!! ❤️
I also got fed up with Instagram, so I privated my account a few months ago. I use it mostly to see what my daughter is doing. You are right that your time is better spent on your own website, YouTube and Pinterest. I will gladly follow your newsletter. Heck. I’d even go back to postal newsletters. All I know is that less is definitely more info many ways in life. Best of luck Lisa!
I feel the same way. Honestly, Instagram has gone downhill, and I’ve pretty much stopped posting there too. I actually found you through YouTube, and I always enjoy your newsletters. So many people just send something to send it, but yours actually feel meaningful. And that wall where people can pin their things? Such a lovely idea. Really, today’s post was beautiful.
I agree with your thinking and your strategy. I have more of a “hate” relationship with social media, as opposed to a “love” relationship. What I do love about Pinterest is that you can search and stumble across some of the most delightful things that the Instagram algorithm will never serve up to you. Meta/Facebook ruined a beautiful thing when they bought Instagram. So sad, really.
Hello lovely Lisa, by the sound of all these comments, we are all on the same page. I know what you mean about it feeling like a job and it shouldn’t. Surely we should enjoy it like we used to when looking at someone’s art or photos or even holiday snaps.
I do have a website and I blog plus I love sending emails to my list (and my buddies I’ve made in the art world) but I know I still need that presence on socials but it gets harder and harder to be on there.
This is a great blog post and exactly how I have been feeling. I was already finding Instagram was not giving me nearly as much as it used to, and then AI entered and it was really the last straw. I deleted Instagram from my phone just over a year ago, and just visit, well, once every three months or so, probably. I haven’t missed it, as I have found other creative communities to enjoy. I feel so much better, and do way more creative work than before too, work that I enjoy rather than what I think others/the algorithm will. One project was a calendar using the Blot and Bloom (?) brushes and the MYB videos you posted – thank you so much for such helpful tools. I absolutely love those brushes and the textured canvases. Thank you for all the knowledge and the affordable price.
Amen, Lisa. And that from someone who’s not on any socials, as I just find it all too miserable and draining! I will be only too pleased to keep receiving your emails and pointed to your superb site, resources, tutorials and products. Keep up the great work!
100% Lisa! I’ve been feeling this way about most of social media lately. I’ve been building my Herbal Letters for my herbalist website and that feels so much more genuine. So I’m doing the same thing, posting once in a while to social media, such as announcing my upcoming book release, and then doing the rest to build my website and newsletter. I’ve been saying to a lot of friends that your website and email list are the only things you actually own that can’t be suddenly taken away from you. I love your website and youtube channel and I’m glad you won’t be disappearing. In fact, I don’t think I even follow you on Instagram (I’m seldom there), but I check out all of your youtube videos. 🙂
Absolutely. I feel exactly the same way.
I discovered you back in the days of Design Cuts (I miss it so much) and bought almost everything of yours—except for the items that require drawing skills, since that’s something I can’t do.
Creating patterns with your help is amazing; that’s why, two or three months ago, I bought your new product here on the site—the one that makes it so easy to create perfect pattern backgrounds.
It allows me to create so much for my shops, and I’m so grateful for these possibilities. Unfortunately, Instagram doesn’t really bring me customers anymore. Facebook banned me because of the links to my shops—it’s just appalling what social media has turned into.
Have you created content for your billionaires today?
I used to really love the gram. But now it’s just a bunch of influencers and products and sell, sell, sell, you need to buy, buy, buy, like, follow & share!!
UGH. And my algorithm delivers some very “interesting” content like how in the world did IG think I would be interested in this? Although I do admit, the guy doing the stop motion calico critters with hilarious voiceovers was a welcome drop in my inbox.
Keep on keeping on. Love. your posts, your emails and your content. I only wish I actually knew how to use your resources to the best of my ability… but that’s true of about everything in my realm. Thanks for your vulnerability!
I left Instagram the minute I found out it was owned by Meta, whom I despise. I only have YouTube and Pinterest (which I rarely visit) now. Social media is no longer fun for me. They start out great and then greed takes over. And don’t get me started on AI……
Yep, all that. IG and social media in general is making it super obvious WE are their product, aka our work keeps them afloat, and they’re perfectly happy to exploit us, steal our work for AI training (or whatever else they want to squash into their TOS and hope we don’t notice), force us to keep churning out more and different content to keep “our” accounts relevant (aka eyes on THEIR platform), etc. If we stop participating, they must change or go under. For years IG has been a decent place for people to see what you’re up to by actively going to your feed, or checking out your feed once they find you somewhere else, but it’s been absolutely hopeless for finding new people. Don’t even get me started on the lack of security, I wrote a whole massive article on my site on that when my account was breached and Meta would do nothing.
YouTube and Pinterest, despite their many faults, are search engines, not social media, thus why they tend to “perform” better over time. When I was doing a lot of stitching tutorials, the highest rate of email subs from any “social media” was from YouTube, because people felt like they already knew me so they trusted me. And social media like IG and Fb at best consisted of 5% of new email subs and sales, they’ve both been pretty hopeless (but Fb at least I still have some people who will comment on posts, IG has turned into a cricket farm). And blogs as well, like you said that content can live forever, I still get comments on blog posts/tutorials from yearrrrs ago. IG and Fb at best these days are “hosts” to people looking to scam you, particularly now that I’ve moved into the fine art world (so many bots/weirdos trying to flatter you with generic BS and then ask about buying “something,” certainly no specific piece of art).
So yeah, it’s totally ok to start to treat social media more “lightly,” aka I use it mainly as a “look I’m still alive, here’s a thing or something fun or an event”, and that’s it. I don’t expect sales at all from it, I don’t expect to find new followers, I don’t expect engagement. But even last night I went to a Chamber of Commerce mixer and people asked about my IG handle to see what I do (as I was the only artist there). For visual business people it’s still useful to use as a gallery so to speak, but it’s so important to develop the deeper ways to connect with people like YouTube, and an email list needs to be a top priority, Huuugs Lisa. ❤️
Lisa, your idea to move your energies to something that gives better results is a wise one. I looked up online about this because I haven’t been on Facebook or Instagram for a long time. I read that when you post something on Instagram it gets sent out to only a small portion of your followers to test and then if there isn’t enough activity on it right away, it doesn’t get pushed out anymore. Not an artist-friendly environment at all.
Your website is so much more enjoyable to visit than any of the social media pages. It’s beautiful and one of the many things I like about your site is the visitor doesn’t get ambushed with popups. You have moving animations and they’re so creative but I’ll click on a Pinterest visit site button and when I land on a website it’s like “Shields up! We’re under attack by popups!” Here’s a popup on the right… click the x. Here’s a popup on the left.. click the x. If I see more than 2 popups on a website, I go into warp drive and never come back to that site.
Lisa, your site is like a breath of fresh air.
Yes! Pop-ups are the worst. I understand wanting to make a little side money but if I’m so bombarded with ads that I can barely see what I went to the site for in the first place or they keep the site from loading properly then what’s the point of even going to that site?
Oh, Lisa, you are so right. When I work so hard to post on Instagram, I feel dirty afterward. It’s such a weird feeling. I feel that all these platforms benefit from my hard work, and I make pennies. I was on Etsy until they accidentally closed my shop. For three months, I tried to get it back. Finally, I got a response because I blabbed on their forum. They said, “Sorry; it was an error”. Any search traction was gone, as were posting fees—down the drain — with no financial restitution. Even Pinterest is a dead end with so many posts by big business and irritating pop-ups. I’ve decided to take control: keep my website fresh, try blogging, and post on Instagram without breaking my neck. and just enjoy making my art.
It’s nice to know other artists feel the same way I do, and it’s nice to vent once in a while. I love your style and website; it’s a great resource! Keep creating!
Judging from how many comments you’ve already received, I think there’s a LOT of people who agree. I almost didn’t reply because I’m afraid you’re going to be overwhelmed! I honestly couldn’t agree more. I stopped posting on Instagram quite a while back. It’s just overwhelming. And the comparison feelings it invokes are not productive at all. I truly appreciate you and love your work. I’ve bought many brushes from you and done many of your tutorials. I initially found you on Skillshare quite a few years ago and have been a follower ever since. I loved being able to see you on Design Cuts and miss that too! Thanks for sharing your feelings. It validates what so many of us are feeling.
I’m with you 100%. In the beginning IG was nice because I could easily see all the beautiful things people were creating & it brought so much color & creativity from all over the world into my day. Now I see very little art despite artists being pretty much the only thing I follow. There’s something seriously wrong with that. Honestly, I miss the days of blogs & a good RSS reader feed. I’d much rather go back to that.
What a great post! I don’t normally comment on these topics, but after reading many of the responses, I completely agree.
In my experience, Instagram has become more of a platform for people searching for inspiration and ideas—similar to Pinterest. LinkedIn, however, is where people are genuinely looking to build professional relationships and connect with potential clients.
I stopped focusing on Instagram for many of the same reasons mentioned in the comments. I now concentrate primarily on LinkedIn, and I have seen very positive results. It took me some time to understand how to use the platform effectively, but if you have an opportunity to take a class on LinkedIn, I highly recommend it.
I feel that all of the changes with Instagram were so predictable, looking at the way Facebook has gone over the years. From the moment that Meta took over Instagram the writing was on the wall: they call it “enshittification” and it is a real thing and a definite strategy on Meta’s part. The question is, what to do about it?
Like you, I have fallen completely out of love with Instagram. I just can’t be bothered any more. Which means that I’m not posting, falling further and further behind with getting any notice taken of anything I might post in future, sabotaging my ability to publicise what I do and what I make and share. I too have content ready to post, but haven’t done so and procrastinate every time I think about posting. I’m not sure where to go from here.
Hi! You are right. I don’t see anything you make on Instagram, but I often look into your newsletter and I feel the same way about using Instagram as an artist. I just don’t see the point anymore . . . But I still use it for a music festival I’m part of, it works for that kind of thing. Enshittification hit Instagram hard – or meta – since FB is rubbish, too.
I was happy to know that you might have more time to devote to your website, blog and newsletter. I don’t use instagram, but I visit your other sites very often. I really love your you tube tutorials and have bought several of your brush sets after watching them.
You are a true talent and inspiration. Please keep sharing your creativity with us.
Hi Liza! I was actually thinking about the exact same thing recently. I started on Creative Market around the same time you did and had built up quite a community. When Meta bought Instagram and integrated it with Facebook, my account got blocked for some strange reason. I had put a lot of work into it by then, but all my followers from the Market stayed behind. I never managed to recover the account, so I lost access to it and all my contacts. It was pretty hard for me to come to terms with that, so I started a new Instagram while working as a designer for a printing company.
By now, though, I’ve become completely disillusioned; I’ve gone back to my old website—to my dedicated followers and members—and am working with them instead. And I have to say, for me personally as a creator, it’s a huge joy to finally return “home” to my own site and keep doing exactly what I love. I also want to mention that I’ve been pleasantly surprised by YouTube Shorts this year. The algorithms work much better than Instagram’s, and you get real results without constantly paying for promotion…
It was great visiting your site today; I see that many others are facing the same issues I am, but it seems we’re all arriving at the same conclusions around the same time.
I wish you continued creative growth and hope to see more posts with interesting insights from you. I love your creative style. Keep it up!
Hi Lisa
I could not agree with you more, and this post resonates so.
Insta is a black hole, it sucks the very essence of our creativity and for me has long since lost its sense of positivity or community.
On social media, being just an artist is no longer enough. We must also be a content creator, marketer, story teller, teacher and therapist.
I am an author/illustrator and these last few years despite wanting to share my art on the platform, find myself intentionally resisting. But when I do, within hours see my mood shift.
Folks are prisoners to their phones, that’s why they are called cell phones. Trapped in infinite scroll, addicted to consume but never digest. The space is dark as, and with each swipe, we gift the tech bro’s another piece of our souls.
The art of interaction and communication has vanished. Most of the time when someone does leave a comment, it’s emoji speak. Some say I should be grateful and move with the times because at least they took the time.
However, I disagree.
It tells me is they have the attention span of a gnat and are too busy scrolling to stop and truly interact. The rest are watchers, the modern day equivalent of curtain twitchers. Peering in with envious eyes, at others curated lies.
It may read conspiratorial but I believe it was always thus.
Social media is the new opiate for the masses. A societal sedative, one that makes you tractable. Distracted, anxious and afraid, which given the current political climate, is exactly where they want you. With each passing day AI is normalized and the algorithms study us as if we’re amoeba in a petri-dish.
But as this blog post proves, there is hope.
Lots of kindred souls with a kind word and a sense of humanity. For my digital work, your brushes are a must Lisa but I didn’t know about the community art board. It’s a wonderful idea and I will be sure to share and interact with my fellow artists. Thank you.
As for Insta, I treat it as a shop window and trust that my vibe will attract my tribe. I focus on my website, my blog and newsletter, and invest in my subscribers.
Recently, in a bid to share the true meaning of art started a Hidden Art Project in my area. Going around leaving wee works of art for folks to find with nothing in mind other than kind.
For happiness was born a twin, and all who joy much share it ✨✨