Why Instagram hurts creativity and what's actually important
HTML-код
- Опубликовано: 28 сен 2024
- Have you been feeling creatively drained lately? A lot of artists have been feeling burned out and I suspect there's a common culprit. In this video I'll share some thoughts on how I'm assessing my relationship with social media, in particular Instagram, and what I shift my focus to when I need to take a step back.
------------------------------------------
Cathy is a self taught watercolor artist based in Los Angeles, CA and the founder of Easy Sunday Club, a collection of art and baby/children's goods that combine fine art aesthetics with playfulness and educational values. Prior to ESC, Cathy got an MBA and worked in the tech industry for 10 years and Nam is an attorney. This channel is our way of giving back to the art community.
------------------------------------------
Online Shop: www.easysundayc...
Instagram: / easysundayclub
Clubhouse: @cathyz
Facebook: / easysundayclub
------------------------------------------
A full list of tools and equipment we use for art and business is available at our website here: www.easysunday...
------------------------------------------
Music: In French (Used w/ Artist Permission)
/ infrench
#socialmediaburnout #instagram
![[Limbus Company - Teaser] Season5 - Oblivion](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/8anKuEeZLeI/mqdefault.jpg)
![Yailin La Mas Viral, @kreizyk.official - Dale 2 (Remix) [Video Oficial]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/JaYHBzgqz94/mqdefault.jpg)
I actually found your business through Instagram. My sister liked one of your posts, which led me to your feed and eventually to your website. Now we have many of your watercolors hanging in our home.
I don't create art for a living but I still appreciate learning from these videos and I admire the support you provide to other creators.
Hiii yes you’ve been a great supporter throughout the years! That worked wonders a few years ago before many algorithm changes, and your sister and I know each other in real life which I think helped build trust too :). Thanks for dropping a note though, maybe it’ll encourage other artists to focus on building local/in person relationships more.
Question about Faire .. how many years in business I have to be in to qualify to sell in Faire ? Does Etsy shop count ? Pls advise
I read a post that said that Art being considered “content” is possibly the worst thing to ever happen to artist. I genuinely felt that. It’s sensory overload.
Especially when the social media experts tell us to “batch” our content. Our content is not stock photos.
@@EasySundayClub 100%. It's draining and takes the creativity right out of me. I tried batching and it felt like a was being fake. Probably imposter syndrome but not sure.
So true! Many times I start thinking my art is crap or I need to create work like their art.
totally!!! agree 100%..
i also felt the drained from random media that was something similar to how the Ellen Degeneres does her random skit of- where she finds some random tiktok or clip of a fake video gone viral and makes them famous and hands them over $10k...
of course that would be great if that was one of us.. but i mean.. that itself has drained my mind-- it has become a kind of an instant influencer type - instant famous for doing whatever it is trending...
Another video from you where it felt like you were talking directly to me! I've been wondering if I've been the only artist who has been so sick of instagram lately 😭 it feels like I pour so much energy into trying to portray myself and my creations in a way that would make people want it. In doing so, I lost my passion for what I make and have also developed an aversion for social media. Thank you for saying that it's okay to take a step back away from it for a while
That’s a good way to put it, that we expend so much creative energy on sharing our work and positioning our public “brand” it makes the creative practice itself take a backseat, which is a bummer. You’re definitely not the only one!
As a content creator for my mental health service, what is draining to me and making me wants to quit Instagram is the fact that the engagement is so low compare to whats its use to be that it does not motivate me to produce good content anymore knowing it will be seen and like by only few people. I also think that the over-consumption of content makes people less grateful and they engage less which is seriously makes me reconsider what I am doing. Number of followers stagnant for a year, I try to stay focus on my goal and to stay mentally strong but it is in fact exhausting and depressing. Thanks for your video! I will subscribe
^^ this is how I felt on Instagram.
as a mental health service, I wonder if you’re even more tuned in on the mental health effects it has on everyone. I know there’s enough evidence that show the negative effects and people in general are aware (eg The Social Dilemma), but it seems like it is really really hard for average consumers to change their behavior. I remind myself that for the algorithm to work, people have to be willing participants.
@@EasySundayClub To be honest this is not a topic I ve adressed yet, but I am thinking about it now that it has become so intense. I usually write blog posts in which I try to provide effective solutions about emotions & mental health issues so its a process for me to think about things, how they work & ways to overcome. There is a lot more than one side to this issue of social medias & the way you deal with it, it finds its roots in you education, personality and the way you deal with situations in general. I have to think about it and organise my thoughts lol. Otherwise, the algorithm issue is just a matter of money, if you are willing to pay for advertising you will reach more, have more followers & people tend to engage more when people see others engage... But at the same time IG/FB know you are willing to pay so they won't prioritize your content for free. If you need some self-help insights you can go to pilulerose.com, this is my site. Its in French but there is an automatic google translation available. Keep up the good work. Xx
I'm not in the art business, but I agree that working on promoting your art on sns may often take away from the joy of creating it. I used to draw for fun, but being told what to draw and my depression worsening made me step away from art for a long time. Now I do it only if I feel like it, without putting pressure on myself. My friend suggested a workshop, but I'm just trying to tap into that feeling I had as a kid who was happy drawing, even if I made a mess. For SNS, I prefer being on RUclips a lot more than other apps. Listening to music, watching videos of art or learning a new skill feels so much more productive than mindlessly scrolling on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. There's totally fine to stay away from Social media, especially if you're feeling overwhelmed by content or the negativity (I too go to IG for only a short time, then log off)
What you’re describing perfectly illustrate the down side of “making money doing what you love.” When a hobby becomes work it’s not all puppies and rainbows, and it’s okay to want to step away. I like RUclips more than the other social apps too and rarely feel overwhelmed by the content.
This is so sweet and helpful! Thank you so much
I love your videos and business content. I own a flower shop and kind of feel the same way. Its just too much content that normally leads to very minimal business. Thank you for all your great content. Do you ship your wholesale cards to Canada? Regards, Steve
Thank you Steve! Yes I do ship to Canada. If you're not already on Faire, you can sign up and get free shipping perks through them. Here's my wholesale link: easysundayclub.faire.com/.
appreciate you.
Thank you Sabrina!
I found this year surprisingly harder than last year, I’m trying my best not to compare, I have to say as of right now in this moment, I can’t keep up neither do I have the desire too BUT if we slow down and stop are we going to regret this couple years from now and look back and say damn I should’ve done posted more and so on, it’s a current thought cycle. Btw I love everything you had mentioned in this video and a reminder to go back to the basics 🙌🏻 thank you ♥️
I can relate to the thought cycle spiraling, especially if we notice other creators going viral from jumping right in the latest trends, it can trigger fomo. But if I zoom all the way out, there are ways to grow that works better for some of us, even if we don’t experience the short spurt quick “success”. I’d rather grow slowly and contently than quickly and feel trapped. Hope you’ll find your own balance soon :).
Thank you so much for your video content! I found you a couple of weeks ago and I really appreciate your honesty about everything.
I am also struggling with social media and have taken a step back. Reassuring to know that I am not the only one feeling this way.
Good advice thank you!!😁 Louise
I remember a few years ago when Gary V was coming out preaching the virtues of relentlessly posting on social media and the reserved person I was found myself forcing myself to spend lots of time doing things for social media...instead of enjoying my free time or those I was around I always had to be looking at the world from behind a lens or forcing myself to get in front of the camera to put myself in uncomfortable situations. And yeah, I'm talented at coding and photography, but the social media game ain't for us introverts. It sucks putting so much effort into things and it not being appreciated and then you question if you're wasting your time and missing out on enjoying life.
I agree, thank you for sharing!!
May I ask what font did you use for the cover? It's so cool
It's my imperfect handwriting :).
Thanks for your comments. I’ve decided that I’m just going to have to find other ways to connect because this one just feels like more than I’m willing to tackle.
that is a noble problem to solve, not just for artists/businesses but for people in general. I’m interested and motivated to find alternatives as well.
Hi, I so appreciate your videos for good advice, I’m a new bee to the card making/ scrapbooking industry, can you please please advise which would be the best place to market or sell my products, I’m a single struggling Mum, I need it for my income
I feel this and agree. Over the past two yrs I had to cut my time on social media in half. 1 I needed to practice my craft 2. I needed to do art or other things for fun 3. I felt myself getting sucked in. It is addictive though!
because it’s addictive by design. good for you for cutting back! yes definitely make time to make things for joy.
I feel the same.
a lot of artists do 💛.
I feel the same. I only post to social media when I want to share something I am working on. Otherwise, there could be days that I focus on my art and/or family and don't check SM at all. The only one I measure myself against is the person I was yesterday. Thank you for your honesty, and for sharing this.
I have been on a month break almost from instagram and damn it feels so much better. Not seeing those red notifications, awesome. I'll be getting back soon, with a better headspace. I love your video!
A month break is so lovely. I took a month off last year around this time and was able to create a whole collection for my calendar. Didn’t get so lucky this year but I think periodic and extended breaks are healthy and necessary. Glad you’re able to return to it with a better mindset.
I totally removed myself from FB 3 months ago because I was wasting too much time and I needed to be creating…I really believe SM can suck the life out of your creative goals if there is no balance. You guys are right on the money!
What's your current relationship with social media? After 5 years in this business, I feel I can be more detached to the latest pressure to do x,y,z. There's not one right way to approach this. It all comes down to finding the right balance for us individually, even if it goes against the grain or may change seasonally.
I was pretty much over IG, got off it. Your last video prompted me to check out Pinterest so I got on there and became a verified merchant and am going to work on that. The number of monthly impressions jumps up daily, but no saves or outbound clicks yet. Need to figure out how to target the views for people looking. Also started sharing a sticker, telling people I know, which has been well received, we’ll see how that goes. Thanks for sharing!
that’s encouraging and congrats on getting verified! Since that video my Pinterest views have jumped up quite a bit but I notice it does take a while for it to circulate to the people who will click/save. Keep trying and check analytics for changes.
I had to delate a local news app off my phone, because I would get notified of every car accident, child abduction and shooting that happens in the state, it's over whelming and I could not take it.
i have a love/hate relationship with social media. I just started creating more videos on a regular basis, but it's exhausting. And I have only been doing it for 2 months...lol
yes it can be overwhelming. watch the Social Dilemma on netflix if you haven’t yet. Pace yourself so you don’t get burnt out!
I really appreciate you sharing this 💗 I have been trying to get my art business going for 3 years, and am finally making real progress now. The biggest roadblock for me by far has been the social media paralysis you talked about. This video made me feel so valid in ditching the content calendars and intricate feed planning and instead focusing on making great art and fostering real connections. thanks again 💜💜
2months late to this comment but 100% agree! Focus on fostering real connections and it'll pay off in the long run.
Appreciate that you took the time to dig into all these aspects of social media, can relate big time.
Thank you
Thanks for such wise words. At times I feel so stressed on what to post on Instagram next or guilty because I didn’t post the current day.
the guilt is real. I remember spending a whole afternoon trying to create something “original”, maybe for a holiday or current event, just to post on IG. It’s so easy to get sucked in. Thinking back I definitely regret prioritizing that.
What social media platform do you recommend when starting a small business? I just opened up my etsy shop yesterday selling greeting cards. I didn't realize how overwhelming I'd be with how to start with social media 😣😓
I think the question should be, what are other sustainable ways to grow your business without the overwhelm that social media brings you?
Thank you for sharing your thoughts. I have so much for respect for transparency and honesty from fellow artists. You spoke so much of what has been on my mind fir about 6months now. Peace be with you!
It sounds like my feelings resonated with a lot of creatives and we shouldn’t try to suppress it. Take good self care!