I’ve just had three pricey sales via Facebook. I also get sales via Instagram.
I like to think that the main reason social media need all your personal details in an effort to stifle trolling and scams and hold people responsible for their actions. It doesn’t bother me to do that.
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Anxiety was the main reason I left social media, and also the sheer amount of time I was spending on it. It’s designed to be addictive and it does its job well. I left FB & Twitter, and tried Instagram for a while. I didn’t post much on it, but followed a few creatives and ‘slow living’ type accounts. But I quickly sank back into spending too much time on it, and found myself falling into the comparison trap. My mood sank and my creativity plummeted. Fortunately I wasn’t too invested in it, so off I came, and I really don’t want to go back.
(PS, I love sheep. I’m a knitter and a spinner - if I had the space I would have some Shetlands for sure!)
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I think many are either reducing, or coming off, social media for similar reasons to you. Instagram particularly made me feel less than, and sometimes I’m slow producing work and that compounds it, you feel guilty.
My sheep are pets, they get a custard cream at teatime! Rationally I know I shouldn’t get upset by strangers who don’t know me, but when it’s a constant drip, drip, of negativity it wears people down eventually. No sane person with a life needs that.
Best of luck with your shop
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Emma, both you and @TheHermitsBothy could be writing as me, well minus the sheep
I’ve not been on SM for a month, it’s been bliss, I feel so much better in myself, I didn’t find it hard to stay off Instagram either, I thought I might, now all I need to do is get my artwork seen in Folksy searches again and I’ll happily stay off SM for ever.
Luckily my shop here doesn’t t have to provide me with an income though, I can’t imagine how horrible it must be if you have to do SM to make a living.
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I don’t think I realised the impact it was having until I was off it for a bit. It is a huge relief.
There are growing numbers of artists ditching social media due to the stress, I really believe other ways will start to emerge for those of us who feel uncomfortable using it.
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Gosh!!! I wonder what happens if people mention Cornwall’s highest point - Brown Willy!
It’s quite ridiculous as it’s all AI and chat bots so it’s hard to speak to an actual person if issues arise!
I’d also suggest 2 factor authentication-but then that’s not going to help when you post a picture of a cake - how strange!!
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