Lessons From My 2022 IG Break

This is the second year that I've started the year by deleting Instagram. Last year, I was burned out from 2020 and that month away was so refreshing. I came back with a plan for the year and implemented it fairly well. This year, I'm reevaluating that plan.

While I still have a few days left in my break, I am sharing my thoughts from this month off and my plans for going back into the world that is Instagram. I find that things to better if I have a plan in mind.

I Missed It More
Last year, I remember not really thinking about Instagram much. This year, I definitely was thinking about it more because I'd see something or do something and think, "I need to save this" or "I should share this... oh wait. Never mind". So I'm not "missing it" per se, but I am not as removed as I wish I was.

I Need A New Plan
I've been trying to be super consistent and have themed Stories and it was just killing me and not providing a decent enough return. I can't say what the algorithm is doing to me or not, but I can't let an app rule my life.

Batching Is Freedom
This year I am using PLANN to batch my posts and I used the time off to get all of February planned, as well as draft several more posts. I'm hoping to stay ahead of the game this year and not be scrambling when it comes time to post on Mondays and Fridays.


So what is or is not changing on @sarah_jayne_photo starting in February?

1. I will be posting twice a week, Monday and Friday, as usual. I'm trying to be more intentional about mixing up the posts with personal, high school senior, children... just consistently talking about all my specialties.
2. I will not necessarily be on every day. I cannot commit to it and it stresses me out if I feel like I have to show up but can't squeeze it in. I feel like it is worse to show up badly than to not show up at all and I need at least 30 minutes to be able to look and comment and engage with people. So I'm not expecting myself to show up every day. Along with this, there may be weeks where I end up posting Tuesday and Saturday if Monday and Friday don't work for some reason. I will be flexible.
3. I'm taking the weekends off. This is something I started in 2021 and I love it. I post Friday and then I'm off the rest of the weekend.
4. My stories will include interactive elements. Polls get a lot of engagement, so I'll probably focus on those over questions. I will try to have more sliders and ways for followers to engage on each slide.

Overall, what is changing is how tied I am to a schedule. My life is changing and I need to not be stressed about showing up on an app. I want to be real and have great content and in order to do that, I need the freedom to not show up sometimes. I tried to follow the "rules" for Instagram and not only did I not see much change or growth, it added a burden that I don't need. So I'm going to make Instagram work for me, not the other way around.

What You Will See From Me This Year
Monday and Friday will be posts (occasionally Tuesday and Saturday if life gets busy). I will show up most days to answer DMs, engage with other accounts, and share things to my Stories. I will share behind the scenes of my life living on a farm and adjusting to an entirely new lifestyle, tips and tricks, book-related things (through sharing posts from my bookstagram account @tomeburrower), and, of course, blog posts. I will still be blogging three times a week and sharing links to those posts in my Stories.

Ultimately, I want to be using my Instagram to connect with followers and reach potential clients so I value your input into what I am posting. What do you want to see on my account? More of something I already do? Something new entirely? I cannot promise that I'll do it, but I will take all suggestions very seriously!! You can leave suggestions and comments below or send me a DM on Instagram! See you on the app in a few days!