Thanks for this post! It was what I needed to read today. As an artist who has had a small business (Etsy shop) for a few years now, I will admit it's hard to not be concerned about Instagram and Facebook. It's been a constant struggle for me to get views and followers. I have no idea why, when other similar artists have thousands of followers. I try not to care so much, but it does matter a little because we need to drive people to look at our work. But it is a source of anxiety and frustration as well, because it is causing me to lose creativity - the constant comparing to others and wondering why my latest creation is getting no love. So, I am going to take a step back from social media and see if I can get my art mojo back again.
Ugh, I can't imagine... And with the constant changes to Etsy as well. Must be very stressful. Definitely sounds like a good plan to take a break and try to nurture your creativity. It is the basis of the entire business, after all. Really hope you'll get your mojo back! 🖤
It can be especially hard for introverts who would rather just do the work and not be forced to show up constantly on social media. At least that has been my experience. I allowed myself to walk away from Instagram about a year and a half ago and that's been a great way to put on my own blinkers and focus on how I actually want to show up. Substack has been a beautiful substitute for Instagram, along with YouTube. But even so it can be really easy to get sucked back into the old patterns. So what I've found is that aligning to our values is really the key here. Wishing you all the best figuring it out for yourself. Also, I'm curious: what do you create? :)
Thank you for driving home the point that this takes time! As someone with ADHD, I struggle with always wanting instant results from the things I do, and feeling like a failure if I don’t get that, so I need to hear this advice as often as I can! I’m finding myself increasingly frustrated with Instagram these days, so I definitely want to branch out to find my audience/community in other spaces. And thank you for mentioning that there is no shame in being supported financially by a loved one in your creative journey - it is something I often feel I should be ashamed of, so it is good to know it’s not just me! As always, you are an inspiration. Thank you for your words and your beautiful work!
Hello, Louise, thank you for this column, also the format is perfect. I was doing a thumbnail for my upcoming youtube video while listening to you. I would love to hear more voice messages from you.
I have a question - how long does it take you? You write all the text first and then you read it out loud for the record, right? Is it from the first take? Do you edit?
As for what you talked about - I feel so seen, I don't like these overnight success stories and am simply scared to see how some of my artistic friends have so much on stake with instagram. It is such an unstable condition.
Awww, that warms my heart. 😌 I'm enjoying getting back to recording voice overs. It's kind of the only thing I'm missing from YouTube at the moment. The rest of it I'm just relieved to not have to do. (Except that I am doing it, but for my course. But that's different.)
I've never really timed myself, but recording an essay of around 2000 words (which is what this one landed at) probably takes me about 20-30 minutes. There's always little breaks in there for water, resting my voice, and re-reading passages I was not happy with. Then the editing might take an hour or so, editing out mistakes, silence, coughs, et.c. I have never recorded anything in one long take, I'm way too much of a perfectionist. 😂 I am trying to find a reasonable balance though, trying not to go overboard with the editing. I would like to be able to record longer, more "podcast-y" things in the future, and for that, I'll really need to dial back my perfectionism.
Thank you Louise for this post, this is exactly what I needed to read today ! I’ve cancelled my Instagram, so tired, exhausted of this insane platform, social media is so much time consuming ! reading your word I started to think : just imagined the body of work you would had created if you had put as much energy in painting than you did in Instagram !
Thank you for your well thought article, Louise. As always, it is reassuring, and like a big warm hug for any artist out there trying to navigate these times we're living in.
Thanks for this post! It was what I needed to read today. As an artist who has had a small business (Etsy shop) for a few years now, I will admit it's hard to not be concerned about Instagram and Facebook. It's been a constant struggle for me to get views and followers. I have no idea why, when other similar artists have thousands of followers. I try not to care so much, but it does matter a little because we need to drive people to look at our work. But it is a source of anxiety and frustration as well, because it is causing me to lose creativity - the constant comparing to others and wondering why my latest creation is getting no love. So, I am going to take a step back from social media and see if I can get my art mojo back again.
Ugh, I can't imagine... And with the constant changes to Etsy as well. Must be very stressful. Definitely sounds like a good plan to take a break and try to nurture your creativity. It is the basis of the entire business, after all. Really hope you'll get your mojo back! 🖤
It can be especially hard for introverts who would rather just do the work and not be forced to show up constantly on social media. At least that has been my experience. I allowed myself to walk away from Instagram about a year and a half ago and that's been a great way to put on my own blinkers and focus on how I actually want to show up. Substack has been a beautiful substitute for Instagram, along with YouTube. But even so it can be really easy to get sucked back into the old patterns. So what I've found is that aligning to our values is really the key here. Wishing you all the best figuring it out for yourself. Also, I'm curious: what do you create? :)
I make needle felted sculptures and paintings.
Thank you for driving home the point that this takes time! As someone with ADHD, I struggle with always wanting instant results from the things I do, and feeling like a failure if I don’t get that, so I need to hear this advice as often as I can! I’m finding myself increasingly frustrated with Instagram these days, so I definitely want to branch out to find my audience/community in other spaces. And thank you for mentioning that there is no shame in being supported financially by a loved one in your creative journey - it is something I often feel I should be ashamed of, so it is good to know it’s not just me! As always, you are an inspiration. Thank you for your words and your beautiful work!
🙏🏻🖤
Hello, Louise, thank you for this column, also the format is perfect. I was doing a thumbnail for my upcoming youtube video while listening to you. I would love to hear more voice messages from you.
I have a question - how long does it take you? You write all the text first and then you read it out loud for the record, right? Is it from the first take? Do you edit?
As for what you talked about - I feel so seen, I don't like these overnight success stories and am simply scared to see how some of my artistic friends have so much on stake with instagram. It is such an unstable condition.
Awww, that warms my heart. 😌 I'm enjoying getting back to recording voice overs. It's kind of the only thing I'm missing from YouTube at the moment. The rest of it I'm just relieved to not have to do. (Except that I am doing it, but for my course. But that's different.)
I've never really timed myself, but recording an essay of around 2000 words (which is what this one landed at) probably takes me about 20-30 minutes. There's always little breaks in there for water, resting my voice, and re-reading passages I was not happy with. Then the editing might take an hour or so, editing out mistakes, silence, coughs, et.c. I have never recorded anything in one long take, I'm way too much of a perfectionist. 😂 I am trying to find a reasonable balance though, trying not to go overboard with the editing. I would like to be able to record longer, more "podcast-y" things in the future, and for that, I'll really need to dial back my perfectionism.
Thank you Louise for this post, this is exactly what I needed to read today ! I’ve cancelled my Instagram, so tired, exhausted of this insane platform, social media is so much time consuming ! reading your word I started to think : just imagined the body of work you would had created if you had put as much energy in painting than you did in Instagram !
Sounds like a great decision, and insight! 😊
Thank you for your well thought article, Louise. As always, it is reassuring, and like a big warm hug for any artist out there trying to navigate these times we're living in.