You know you’ve been watching too many YouTube videos when your post titles are like basic clickbait links. This post should really be titled: I’m Not Ditching Blogging for Instagram but Book Blogging isn’t as Cool as Bookstagram, but that’s too long so… Whatever, that’s off topic.
I’m really not ditching blogging for Instagram…-ish. Eh, you know, Instagram is a pretty fun place (for me at least). I like styling pictures, taking them, editing them, posting them, and interacting with other book lovers on Instagram. My IG is @pagingserenity, by the way. (Because you know, gotta get that self-promo. It’s been a long day, okay?) Anyways, back to the point, if I’m terribly honest, I like Instagram more than I like blogging. At least right now.
By no means does this mean I’m going to stop blogging. I just think it’s interesting how my hypocrisy is rearing its head. I go on hiatus from blogging because I don’t have time. I say I do my best to prioritize it, but in reality, a bunch of that time I could have used to blog is used to better my Instagram feed. And I’ve never taken an extended break from Instagram, unlike what I have done here on this blog. I think that there are a couple reasons why Instagram appears more appealing to be than blogging does at this moment.
Ooh, New and Shiny
For me, Instagram (or specifically, bookstagram) is still kind of new to me. I’ve only been working on it seriously for about half a year. Blogging, on the other hand, I’ve been doing for a little over four years. Right now, Instagram is that new shiny, sparkly toy while blogging is the old one you love, but have owned for like forever.
Goal? Check… Or Not
I feel like it’s easier for me to meet the goals I set for Instagram verus the ones I set for blogging and thus it feels like the effort that goes to Instagram is worth more than the effort that goes into blogging. Because while I love both, there’s just currently more motivation to post pictures on Instagram everyday than there is to post a post.
Interaction
For some reason, I feel like it’s easier to interact with other people in Instagram verus blogging. I find responding to comments easier and commenting on other posts more fun. I think part of the reason is that Instagram has so many users. I’m really just a needle in a haystack of other needles. (Or a straw of hay in a haystack?) If I say something and sound dumb, no one will really care or remember. I just won’t gain a follower or I’ll lose one.
When it comes to blogging, I feel like a small fish in a corner with other fish in a big pond. While there are other blogs out there, there’s more pressure to come off as respectful, nice, and intelligent. I also feel like the only people who really comment on my blog are loyal followers and as a result, I tend to overthink and overthink and overthink what I say when I attempt reply. (Yet another reason why I suck at responding to comments). And not to say I don’t respect other Instagramers, it’s just that blogging somehow demands more respect? I don’t know, I’m weird. Long story short, I feel more free to comment whatever on Instagram posts while I feel more pressure to come off a certain way when commenting (and replying to comments) on blogs.
Do you ever feel like giving up blogging for something else book related?
If yes, what?
You’ve made some great points here! I just followed you on Instagram (@bettylouwh0) and you are very talented and have a great eye. I love the white background, makes for a simple yet dramatic pop!
I unfortunately understand what it feels like to be a small fish swimming among a giant school of fish – just trying to make it. Instagram posts are all on the hashtag and it’s easy to find them – blogs are harder to find. Also, IG is an app most people use in their free time, when they just want to scroll and look at pictures. Much easier than sitting down to read a long review or discussion post. I can see the appeal of Instagraming. I wish you luck with whatever you decide to do!
Aw, thank you for the follow and compliments! 🙂
I forgot about Instagram’s hashtags and the ability to find new users versus finding new blogs. Free time is definitely a good point. In five minutes you can randomly like so many pictures and follow other users on Instagram while 5 minutes in the blogosphere will just give you enough time to read one post.
Thanks for stopping by Elizabeth! 🙂
Emz, I suck at commenting in the same way. I’m always like, “Well, what can I say that doesn’t sound stupid or contrived?” I also feel like a fish hanging on to one little aquatic plant in a huge pond with flashy fish. I don’t even like fish! I know what you mean about meeting your goals. I struggle with that every week!
I don’t think you need to worry about any of those things. I always love reading your comments!
I feel like someone has to teach me how to either set more reasonable (aka achievable) goals or someone has to keep poking me until I meet the ones I set. Sometimes I feel like I’m just swimming in circles when it comes to goal setting.
Thanks for stopping by Charlie! 😀
*poke poke*
(and yes, I snorted as I typed that!)
Haha. ?
I don’t ever feel like giving up blogging for something else, but there are times I do want to give up blogging since it’s so time consuming. I do love bookstagram though! I don’t spend a lot of time on it though.
I agree blogging is so time-consuming. That does not go well with my poor time management skills and schoolwork. Oh, well. I think I spend too much time on bookstagram. It doesn’t appear as time consuming as blogging because it’s really five minutes here, five minutes there, but it all adds up in the end. 🙁
Thanks for stopping by Erin! 🙂
[…] Ditching Blogging for Instagram? […]
I actually started on bookstagram and went to blogging. I do both equally. I do find it easier to interact on instagram, though. Mainly because I can easily check it on my phone throughout the day, I can’t really do that for blogging & visiting other people’s blogs. I just set aside time to get on my blog and visit others, while my bookstagram gets a lot of love every day lol
Interacting is on Instagram is definitely easier for me too. Especially since I have poor time management skills and suck at budgeting time to comment and visit other blogs. Just look at how long it takes me to reply to comments lol.
Thank you for stopping by Molly! 🙂
hahaha I totally get it! The only downside to IG is that sometimes I get too many notifications at once that I may miss a comment here and there. Especially if I JUST post a photo or haven’t been on in a while (like right now, I haven’t even gone on all day xD )