Tuesday 26 March 2019

NO MORE COMMENTS

I'm turning off my comments on Instagram... I hadn't even considered this until I read Taylor Swift's 30 things I've learned before 30 for Elle but it sparked a lot of further thought and conversation for me. I obviously don't care what you think of Taylor Swift, you don't have to be a fan to take interest in what she has to say.

"One thing I do to lessen this weird insecurity laser beam is to turn off comments. Yes, I keep comments off on my posts. That way, I’m showing my friends and fans updates on my life, but I’m training my brain to not need the validation of someone telling me that I look 🔥🔥🔥... I think it’s healthy for your self-esteem to need less internet praise to appease it, especially when three comments down you could unwittingly see someone telling you that you look like a weasel that got hit by a truck and stitched back together by a drunk taxidermist. "


SOCKS - NIKE
BAG -TOPSHOP

I realise Taylor had very different reasons for doing this for herself: haters gonna hate hate hate hate hate... And I don't exactly get any hate but I think I maybe subconsciously rely on the public reassurance that Instagram comments give me. You're telling me I'm pretty and you're telling me in front of all these other people, a lovely little ego boost- an extra bit of serotonin for my depressed soul. I just don't want it anymore, if someone desperately wants to pay me a compliment, or have a chat, my messages are open and that way, with no audience, it is a more personal interaction.

Another thing I started to think about regarding Instagram comments is that often they can be for selfish gain by the author. I don't presume this of anyone at all but inevitably if you're commenting on someone's photos, a few of their followers might head over to your profile for a nosey. There's absolutely nothing wrong with this, it just made me realise that I'm after a bit more sincerity and transparency regarding my online self. I am me, I am not the comments on a post.


Essentially, I don't want to ever need internet praise, especially in any sort of public capacity, I will still comment on photos I'm fond of because it is honestly just a habit, but I'm going to make more of an effort to turn these into far more personal interactions. I absolutely live for friendship and love in the world and I love seeing other Man City players comment on Leroy Sane's posts telling him he looks fire (because damn straight, he does) but it's also funny to think that actually, that's none of my business? I should be an outsider in that interaction. Possibly a weird example but it's what came to mind...



I'm also really bloody hoping that my decision to do this doesn't come across as vanity or self-importance because it genuinely is just for my sanity. I think it's for the best, for me. My comments will always be on, on my blog, and I'll always be reachable. The only concern I have about doing this is that I may be shooting my self in the foot in regards to Instagram stats, and gaining followers or whatever but I'm just gonna have to shrug that off- maybe that's part of the problem too.

If you have any thoughts on all this, please pop-up to me somewhere for a chat because I'd really like to know what you think.

IWx

*gifted item in return for instagram content/ not a paid AD

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9 comments

  1. I loved this post, I found it so insightful! I completely agree personal interaction should matter much more that instagram comments! Xx

    http://www.chloeharriets.com/

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  2. I love love love this post, it really made me think about the whole commenting thing. I noticed I probably rely something on the comments but I still am not gonna put them off, I think that deleting Snapchat earlier this year was enough. And I just like to know that people like my content cause that really motivates me to take pictures, and I love photography but I just need a way to share the photography to people who like it so yeah, I don't know if that makes any sense. And just for the record I love all of your Ig posts and pretty surely will love in the future too, gotta say it now cause I can't comment anything anymore!

    Love, Veera (and just so you know who I am, I'm @veeraelisabetht on Instagram)

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    1. Makes perfect sense to me, deleting snapchat is a big thing! Haha glad you like them lovely!x

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  3. Interesting. I've never really been transfixed by the comments, but then again my account has quite low engagement. I think that has more of an effect on me than comment content. I've recently been taking a rather long break from Instagram which is really helping. It can be a very draining platform.

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    1. It can be so draining can't it! I've tried to take breaks from it before but it didn't achieve anything for me personally!

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  4. I think this is such a good idea, many look for validation in the comments. When really we should be feeder ourselves with this every morning.
    Totally dig this India! - Tara

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  5. This is a really interesting perspective - I can completely see your point of view and I hope turning off comments helps you. I post my instagram photos for me (and cheer people up - lots of pretty flowers) and I'm genuinely chuffed if someone writes a comment or likes, mind you my insta is small and I know most people in real life who follow me.

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    1. I completely understand this, I loved and appreciated comments, I just don't like that they are entirely public, I like to talk to people personally etc x

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