The author says quitting Instagram has made her more present.
Courtesy of the author
On a recent trip, my sister asked her 14-year-old son if he wanted to send a postcard. "Why? I have Snapchat, TikTok, Instagram," he responded, listing all his social media apps. When she shared this story with me, we laughed, but I felt a lingering sadness. Before everything became instant and shareable, connection required effort, time, intention, and the willingness to be alone with your thoughts.When I turned 16, my parents gave me a bike trip through France. I vowed to keep in touch. I bought postcards, wrote them in cafés, and mailed them home, hoping they would arrive before I did.I used Instagram as a gallery for my photographyI joined Instagram at age 36. I was excited to have a digital platform to promote my work. As a professional documentary family photographer, the app became a marketing tool. My friend Chantel, with over 24,000 followers, told me how to succeed: post three times a week, at optimal hours, only show my best work, and write captivating captions under 25 words. I didn't feel right sharing client images even with their permission; instead, I posted images of my children during their most quotidian moments — brushing their teeth, doing homework, practicing the piano. I agonized for hours deciding what to post and who liked it, distracting me from what I really loved, taking photos. My followers increased, but it rarely translated into more business. I stopped posting.
