Setting your own Instagram intentions
As a creative person, Instagram can be a tricky one. We all know it’s a useful platform to be on, but for a lot of us it can also bring quite a bit of anguish.
When we’re scrolling through our feeds comparing our work, seeing all the amazing projects we wish we’d done and of course getting distracted by cute animals, or in my case #VanLife posts, it can be a difficult and often intimidating space, right?
© Daniel Kevin Lloyd - Complex Forms
Over the past few years as my own career has developed, I’ve spoken to a lot of creatives about social media, in particular Instagram, from animators to photographers and everyone in between - the same comments always come up. “It’s so distracting!”, “It feels like it’s a big part of my life.”, “Do you think my overall board looks okay, you know, compared to other people?”, “It makes me really nervous sharing my work so publicly!” the list could go on.
For a long time, I found myself thinking all these things as well, going through periods where I was always on it, to avoiding it completely. Then, in the weirdest year ever, formally known as 2020 when we were all glued to our smartphones, I decided it was time to change my perspective on Instagram and figure out a way of using it that worked for me.
As a self-proclaimed mindfulness fanatic, I figured a good place to start was to bring some aspects of my mindfulness practice into this situation. Accepting it was time to change how I use Instagram and discover what the purpose of me having a profile was. I asked myself two questions: “What is my purpose in having an Instagram profile?” And “How can I use Instagram in a more intentional way?”
© Daniel Kevin Lloyd - Darwin’s Discoveries
By stripping it back to these two questions, I instantly felt like a shift was happening in the way I viewed the platform. Very quickly I knew the answer to the first question; it’s an extended portfolio of my work and an informal space to network with other creatives. Easy.
After I had established my purpose, I then went about setting intentional ways of using the platform. These looked a bit like this:
Check-in less frequently, maybe just a few times a week
Develop a post formula to make content creation easier, producing some content in advance
Before posting, asking myself if this is the content I really want to be sharing
Instead of endless scrolling, intentionally like and engage with other people’s content that I connect with
Remind myself frequently of my purpose for having an account
For the last few months, I’ve been putting my chosen intentions into practice and I’m pleased to say I have created my own way of using Instagram that feels more valuable. Having once seen Instagram as a bit of a chore and a place I didn’t necessarily feel comfortable, it’s great to be using it in a way that works for me and seeing it for what it is; a useful tool. For all of you statisticians out there screaming at your screens, guess what? Both my followers and post engagement have increased during this time too.
What’s the takeaway here? First off, if you’re finding Instagram a hard space to be in for any of the reasons I’ve mentioned or various others, know that you’re not alone and many of us feel like this no matter what stage of our career we’re at. Secondly and most importantly, know that you can change your relationship with Instagram and make it work for you. What works for me, may not work for you, but the principles remain the same – you can make a significant change.
I’m not proclaiming I have a perfect relationship with Instagram by any means, because we all know there is no such thing as perfection. But I know the way I use it now is the right way for me, and that feels empowering.
© Daniel Kevin Lloyd - Bounce Back Shrewsbury
Dan’s 5 top tips on intentional Instagram use…
See it as part of your job.
This one was really important for me. I find it much easier to shut off from Instagram if I see it as part of my job, it sort of becomes a bit less exciting and I’m okay with that. Also, this encourages you to put out your best work, as you would if you were producing it for a client.
Schedule times to use it throughout the week.
You might be shocked to hear this, but I don’t check my Instagram every day! On the days that I do, I usually check in once or twice a day maximum. Particularly to begin with, having a strict schedule really helps you set your limits.
Let people know you’re making changes.
Having an accountability partner is really helpful. Someone you can share your plans with who understands why you want to make these changes… who knows, you might even inspire them.
Practice mindful scrolling.
We’ve all been there. Scrolling through Instagram, with a wall of posts and the more you scroll the worse you feel. Let me introduce “Mindful Scrolling”. Now this will take a little bit of practice, but being mindful essentially means being present, connected to your body and aware of how you feel. So here’s my challenge, next time you’re scrolling, remind yourself to check in with how you feel. If you start feeling overwhelmed, or that you’re not good enough or anything that doesn’t sit well with you, you know it’s time to stop.
Evaluate the purpose of your Instagram.
Probably the most important one we can all do right now. Take a moment to think about what your true purpose of being on Instagram is. It’s going to be different to mine and most likely very different to that design agency you love with 50,000 followers or your favourite illustrator living the high life in NYC. But when you can answer this, you’re ready to start using it intentionally.
About the author
Daniel Kevin Lloyd is a freelance graphic designer and illustrator based in the West Midlands, as well as the in-house graphic designer for The Hive arts organisation.
His career so far has seen him work on a number of large-scale projects, including a colourful town wide campaign during the Covid-19 pandemic in his hometown of Shrewsbury.
As a designer living and working outside of the UK’s main cities, he’s a keen promoter of forging a creative career wherever you’re based. He loves all things minimalism and mindfulness!
