I normally stick to topics about home decor, building, or related topics, but today I want to talk about a subject that I think hits home to all of us. It’s the Instagram comparison trap.
We have to admit, at times we all can get frustrated and not feel adequate to even be posting. This is very common and I want you to know, you’re not alone. If they were being honest, even the biggest, most beautiful, and fastest growing accounts have these feelings. It seems it’s in our nature to compare, to experience emotions of doubt, frustration, and even want to give up at times. So, the question is, what can we do about it and how can we control these emotions?
As an influencer, company, or brand on social media, you have to get control of these emotions in order to be successful. Yes, we will all experience them, but let’s talk about how to control them so they will not affect our growth.
A Photograph Isn’t Real Life
One of the biggest things to keep in mind is that Instagram is based on photography and image. I know first hand that my kitchen and laundry room never look like they do on an Instagram post. If I posted rooms that were all dirty and messy, no one would fully be able to see the detail of your home. This is the nature of what we do, we stage our homes to be pleasing to the eye. This is part of the work that goes into it.
Keeping in mind that these photos are not our real life. Our real life is not perfect like our Instagram posts illustrate them to be. A perfect picture is just that, a perfect picture! It has been staged, edited, and been made to look perfect and beautiful. In reality, we should understand and know it is only a picture, and is there for inspiration. Nothing is truly perfect and never will be!
Take a Break
This is huge! Managing Instagram and social media time was such a hard thing for me to figure out. When you are just getting started, it is easy to want to continue checking your followers or just getting caught up in working very hard to grow your account and brand. In doing so, these exhausting hours will allow you to also get caught up into comparing your account and or brand with others.
It’s very important to set days and times aside to completely detox yourself from any social media. This will allow you to spend quality time with your family and be well rested to give it your all during a designated time. It will also make the time you are on social media much more productive, not allowing you the extra time to compete with others.
I always take all day on Sundays off, and some Fridays. During these off days, I do not post, comment, engage, nor write blog articles. These are designated times for enjoying and being with my family.
And of course, if you just aren’t feeling it one day, I think the occasional hookie day is just fine!
I find that when I have these breaks, I am much more refreshed. Being refreshed will allow meta be more productive and feel like Im not so focused on what everyone else is doing.
Be Yourself
As we fall into this comparison trap, we tend to look at others as having qualities we don’t. Well, this is true and this is what makes us all unique. Instead of focusing on the qualities of other people, use your energy to find qualities of your own that will set you apart.
Ask yourself what your passions are and what you have to share with everyone. Love yourself and what you are doing! This will remind you of those reasons you started your account and why you have something others want to see.
Being yourself sets you apart from every other brand. Others want to see different styles, personalities, and opinions. It would be boring if we were all the same.
Find Your Tribe
The last, but one of the best pieces of advice I can give you, is to find your tribe. Surround yourself with positive vibes and positive people within your niche. This is the one area that has truly helped me the most. I have been truly blessed with the best Instagram friends, supporters, and collaborators. We lift each other up and help support each other. I gain inspiration from them and I hope they gain from me. Look at it as a team instead of a competition. There is room for all!
I hope when you find yourself going down the comparison trap road, you will keep in mind how special you are. You are fearfully and wonderfully made, made to shine, and made to influence! Let’s keep our heads up and not let this trap stop us all from growing and being who we are designed to be!
3 Comments
Great post and super encouraging! We all feel like that from time to time and this is a good reminder. Thank you for sharing. 🙂
February 21, 2019 at 6:45 pmHello Missy! So glad you found our blog. I think everyone feels like this, but its important to our eyes focused on the most important thing, which is why you started in the first place. I just checked out your blog and it looks great!
February 21, 2019 at 7:26 pmThank you for this wonderful post. I really appreciate it.
July 30, 2019 at 6:18 am