Why I quit Instagram and how it’s going, a one-year update | casual catchup + cozy ink log session

Hi, friends!

I hope you’re doing well. This week’s video is a casual, crafternoon-style hangout, where I work on a page out of my pen log. My goal is to create one page for every bottle of ink that I own, so I can have a place to compare how the ink performs in different pens and nib sizes. At the same time, I reflect on my experience and observations after having quit Instagram for a year. It’s something I’d been thinking about doing for a while, but hesitated because it was also a business account for my small business (littlecoco.co).

If you are an Instagram user, how has your experience been with the platform? And if you’re not, how do you feel about not using the platform? I’d be so curious to hear about your experiences in the comments below.

Also, if you have any feedback or requests for future videos, please let me know! Thanks for being here; I appreciate you! 💗

Products used in video:
The Everyday book - Tomoe River Paper - Set of 3 - Regular Size: https://www.galenleather.com/products...
Kakimori brass nib: https://yosekastationery.com/products...
Kakimori nib holder - Sakura Wood: https://yosekastationery.com/products...
Ferris Wheel Press - Lady Rose: https://ferriswheelpress.com/products...

To help you navigate this video, I’ve included timestamps below:
0:00 - Intro
1:15 - Background
4:25 - Why did I quit Instagram?
4:44 - Taking a vacation vs. Quitting Instagram
6:22 - Being on Instagram had a direct, negative impact on my mood
7:07 - I struggled to balance my professional and personal contacts
9:39 - Reflection
9:43 - Storytime: I thought I quit, but I was wrong
12:42 - short-term observations
13:18 - long-term observations
13:30 - less mood swings
15:01 - more time for other creative hobbies
15:28 - more time for an offline social life
16:45 - I’m prioritizing real photos of perfect photos
16:56 - Challenges
17:02 - I lost touch with some friends
17:44 - It led to feelings of isolation and disconnection
18:36 - Harder to connect and stay up-to-date with artists, creators, and small businesses
20:33 - Benefits
20:36 - Life feels more quiet
21:20 - I've been more mindful during my downtime
21:46 - My impulsive spending has decreased
24:09 - Final thoughts
26:23 - It may be unrealistic and unnecessary to quit Instagram

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Thank you so much for being here! 💗  Due to my working schedule, I am unable to commit to a regular upload schedule, so please subscribe and turn on the notifications for when new videos upload if you’d like to see more from me :)
NAME: Alison
INSPIRATION: My rescue dog, Coconut. 🥥
EDITOR: me!