So about a year ago, I wrote a post on my opinion the whole “reels” take over on Instagram. I’m happy to report that I still very much feel the same way. You can refresh your memory here if you need too.

I think to this day, reels are very much supported and pushed over still photos and content on Instagram is heavily shifted towards ads. At least that’s what I’m seeing- about 95% of the content I see on my feed is sponsored posts or posts the algorithm thinks I might like (which isn’t always wrong), but I almost never see posts from my friends or family. Because of the way I use my IG, if someone posts a story I and I see it- I 100% click to go to their feed to make sure I didn’t miss any real posts. But that’s also because I usually always do both- a story and a post, so I assume maybe my friends are doing that too!

When it comes to social media, I know there’s a lot of back and forth about whether its good or bad or at what age young kids should be given access to social media. I don’t want my daughter to have social media until she can prove that she’s mature and confident enough to handle it, and I know it’s my job to make those two things happen. But that’s a big discussion and not one I want to open or get into anytime soon LOL.

I use social media as a way of taking a mental break during the day, a way to capture and commemorate memories (especially with making videos via Reels), but I don’t spend hours on my phone and I certainly don’t use it to measure myself against anyone else either.

I think that social media is meant to be fun and engaging, it shouldn’t feel heavy or feel like a “job.” Real life is happening and real life should be prioritized and felt over staring at a screen or even missing some real life moments because you are trying to function with a screen (ie taking pictures of the moment). I know I post a lot of photos and create a lot of fun content that I LOVE and look forward to doing, but I can honestly say, other than a few posed photos here and there, everything is authentic and felt in the moment. I have a rule, and I think I’ve shared this before- if we’re at Disneyland or on vacation, if I’m wearing a new outfit for a date night or concert, I dedicate like 10 minutes to make sure we get a cute picture, and then once that shots taken, its all real, candid photos of the activity we’re doing, the scenery, etc. I also do this when I’m with friends! I think a lot of my girlfriends will vouch for my craziness, but guess who always gets cute ass photos when I’m around 😉 Instagram for me is like my own virtual scrapbook, where I can catalog memories and things I love. Which is also why I will never shy away from posting a photo of a designer handbag (it’s not meant to be braggy or show-boatish, it’s because I genuinely love it and want to photograph it for my own memories, what if I take the bag out and it gets something stained on it (heaven forbid), at least I know I have a photo of it in it’s most pristine condition to look back on!!)

Also, and I hope Instagram stands the test of time, it’s a great way to capture memories almost like home videos. I don’t even have a DVD player for heavens sake, so those old cassette tapes and VHS home videos my parents have of my childhood? I’ve never seen them. My hope is that IG stays around so that there is a time where I can sit with Avery and scroll through Reels and posts to show her all the fun memories we made with her as she grew up!

To tell you the truth, I don’t use my social media for anyone but me LOL. It might be a little selfish, but it’s true. I post what I want and when I want simply because I want a memory or moment to be frozen in time. And if people like it or follow me because they find it interesting, then I’m happy you want to follow along! I’m happy that my family feels intrinsically closer to us through my posts (after all, that’s what started this very blog) , but I continue to do it because it brings me joy, not because I feel like I have too. And this goes for the other way too- I follow people I want to keep up with and want to see their posts! Which is why this algorithm favoring sponsored posts and ads is so frustrating to me! Show me my friends’ posts- I want to see their travels, the food they’re eating, their kids, I want all the wholesome content!!! Not the new supplement or vitamin you want me to buy LOL.

All of this basically to say, I hope you feel the same way! I hope social media is fun for you and not a trap or a waste of your time, and if you follow me, I hope you smile when you see my posts! And I hope you never feel like I’m someone you need to compare yourself too or compete with.

Let’s continue to use social media in a positive way and share and spread love! I hope you continue to have fun with it and don’t take it too seriously!!