SOCIAL MEDIA FOR CREATORs

On August 18 I posted my 2000th Instagram post. To put that into perspective, if you divide 2,000 by 365, it equals 5.5. This means it would take five and a half years to reach that number of posts if I started posting once a day from today. When I think about it, it seems incredible—especially for someone who never considered themselves to be consistent. What an adventure, and a shift in the way I perceive myself.

Avoid the overwhelm

You might expect a post about strategies and algorithms, but that’s not what this is about. I know that many of us have polarizing views about social media and its impact on our lives, especially on mental health. It’s important to be mindful of our relationship with social media and intentionally curate it so that it enhances our lives rather than harms them.

Many people with online-based businesses, or even traditional businesses using social media to reach their audience, often become concerned—or even obsessed—with follower count. Direct your focus to the energy behind your posts. Ask yourself: Do you enjoy what you do? Are you proud of it? How excited are you to share it with others?

I still remember how excited I was when I reached 1,000 followers at the beginning of my creative journey. However, even then, gaining followers wasn’t my goal. I was so enchanted by the Zentangle method and my newfound joy for drawing that I couldn’t wait to share my artwork with the world. As I continued to draw and post, my focus remained on consistency.

Social media for creators – share your joy

Posting for me was never about statistics. It was always about sharing and celebrating my joy in drawing.  If you feel that joy about your creative practice, I would encourage you to think about sharing it with the world with the same energy and enthusiasm. 

So what if no one follows you or if your posts don’t get any reactions? The real value might lie in using your online space as a personal journal for your creative journey. Reflecting on your work and emotions, even when they’re not entirely positive, can be incredibly rewarding. Embrace your authenticity—life is full of ups and downs, and being mindful of these fluctuations offers deep insights.

Remember, it’s okay if you don’t feel like sharing everything with the world. You can always set your profile to private and keep your drawings and reflections just for yourself. One day, you’ll likely appreciate having this personal record to look back on and see how far you’ve come.