10 reasons to stop posting on Instagram as a creator

Have you ever thought to stop posting on Instagram? I did it, and here’s why I recommend it.

This year I have posted 46 photos on Instagram. The last photo I updated was the first week of August and today, 19 of December, I am going to start posting again. I did not post a single photo on Instagram for almost half a year. The reasons behind not being active on social media are multiple, but overall, I can say that I strongly recommend to stop posting on Instagram (at least for a while).

If you are reading these lines, it is quite likely that you are active on Instagram, and that you use it (or want to use it) for something more than just updating one sunset, a photo of your puppies, and a couple of selfies a month.

I stopped being active on Instagram for personal reasons, but what followed I did not expect. Before we go deep, though, let me give you a bit of context.

I am a photographer and traveler, but also a psychologist and UX Researcher. Thus, I am constantly analyzing user behavior, routines, and asking tricky questions. One of these questions popped up a few months ago, and it was: what if I abandon Instagram? How would my photography skills and adventures be impacted?

After thinking about this experience, I wanted to share these 10 reasons to stop posting actively on Instagram:

You are wasting too much time on Instagram

It is not possible to enter Instagram, post something and leave. We all know this. It has been designed by a bunch of really smart people to be as addictive as possible. However, I don’t blame them, I blame myself.

This time on Instagram is a time that I could use in many other ways. Writing for my website, editing, learning new skills, meeting with friends… Yes, I have friends on Instagram, but it is way easier to chat with them via Messenger, WhatsApp, or any other app than within Instagram.

You are too focused on Instagram content

This website has been a blessing for me. When I started taking photos I did it for fun. Suddenly, I started posting on Instagram. Then, all my photos became vertical easy to process shots.  No complex views, no horizontal landscapes…

Think about your content. Aren’t you losing a lot by only focusing on Instagram? Or TikTok, or any social media. Focusing on creating content for Instagram is a perfect way to lose creativity. Speaking about creativity…

You are not being that creative

If you are a creative of some sort, no matter what your talent is, you know that doing things differently is what really makes a difference. How do you expect to be creative if you are limited to a 1080×1350 square? Leaving Instagram has allowed me to literally think outside of the box.

Moreover, it is all about references, inspiration, and is Instagram the best place to find it?

You need more inspiration sources

There are many talented creatives out there. Photographers, editors, musicians, illustrators… but if you want to really make a difference, there are other sources, the ones that not everyone gets inspired by.

As a photographer, everyone knows some of the names of Instagram. Yes, Peter McKinnon is a genius, I know it. But why not get lost in a classical museum and absorb some of the color palettes of a specific school of painters? Inspiration is everywhere, yes, and Instagram is just a tiny part of it.

Instagram is not good for your stress

Numbers are everywhere. Followers, comments, hashtags, saves, DM’s… At some point, I got tired of posting a photo and only looking for engagement. The sad part is that if you want to grow, it is all you should care about.

Everyone says: content is king. It is true, but this “king content” has to be validated by your audience. If you know how to deal with your favorite photo not getting the engagement you expect, you can keep using Instagram. Otherwise, maybe it is time to take a break.

Instagram is not your business platform (or shouldn’t be)

Yes, Instagram is perfect for showcasing your work. Some people even use it as a portfolio (although a 4×5 portfolio is not the best idea if you ask me). What Instagram is not, is a business platform, no matter how hard they try. It is quite simple, if it becomes a business platform, it will stop being Instagram.

Think about Instagram as just the first step of a long funnel. It is not even the main entrance to the funnel. If you want to do business as a creative, being active on social media can be important, yes, but it is not the key. Have an online presence, website, good SEO,… and things can change from there.

You could be using your time with other things

Since I stopped using Instagram, my website traffic has triplicated. Of course, this is not entirely due to my lack of activity, but it has to do with time. Spending less time on Instagram means more time to work on other creative or business areas.

During these months, I have been able to train and finish a half-marathon, hike way more, and more importantly, take more photos than ever.

Keep doing the things you love

I have been shooting nonstop, with the usual eventual lack of inspiration, but forgetting about Instagram made me do the things I like more than ever. To some extent, if I am coming back to Instagram is thanks to the inspiration that I got while staying away from it.

In fact, this is the main challenge that I face now, the balance between sharing on social media and not getting too limited by my exposure to it.

Learn to live without social recognition

Let’s be honest, when a photo goes viral, you feel good, very good. However, this is not what makes your content unique. As a creator, it is important to do things because you want to, not because of what other people will say to you when they see it.

If you learn to live without counting likes, without the social acceptance that comes from social media, it will be way easier to face failure and to be more critical of your own work.

Be your own critic

Like the last reason to stop posting on Instagram as a creator, I had to make a reference to the overall quality of the work. We all know that there are things that work on Instagram. In my case, no matter how badly composed is, if the photo has warm saturated tones, it will work well. Being your own critic is useful to stop shooting this type of photo.

I like being harsh with myself, and leaving Instagram made me and some creator friends that I really trust my only critics. Overall, I believe that the quality of my work has increased, and this is invaluable to me.

Then, why am I back on Instagram?

What a question… well, the answer is that I miss it. A part of myself wants to see if I have really become a better creator, another just wants to share the beauty of the word online. I am aware that these lines challenge a couple of my statements above.

Moreover, after working hard on my website, sharing travel and photography guides, I believe I have found a way to mix both worlds. A way to create for both places, getting the best of each of them. I don’t know if it will work, but I know that it is better than just posting random photos without context.

To summarize, I got tired of Instagram being a black hole for my time and creativity, and now I want it to become a way to showcase what I do with my time as well as my creative work.

Have you ever left Instagram? Why did you stop posting content on Instagram? What made you come back if you did? I’d love to know your stories and experiences. Feel free to share them below!

Speaking about Instagram, you can find me there as @aniolvisuals. If you want to get in touch with me and don’t use Instagram, send me a message at hello@aniolvisuals.com.