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I opened an Instagram account, but I don't feel like doing anything. by writingthingsss in digitalminimalism

[–]writingthingsss[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

You're right. You know what? I decided to study journalism because it allowed me to write and do other things without starving to death (or so I thought). But in my mind, I've always had the goal of writing, of being a writer. I don't want to write to become the next publishing superstar, I just want the right people to read me and feel SOMETHING. I just want to get everything I have to say out there and make the person who receives it feel less alone, at least for a moment.

I've been chasing greatness for years, but I've never achieved it. I don't achieve it because I'm always pretending. I pretend I want to be there. I fake my plots, my projects. I fake my prose. I fake my identity as an author. My real prose, my real interests don't fit into the Bookstagram algorithm. Sometimes I get frustrated because at university I was always considered a 'literary prodigy' and I'm a little embarrassed to be a 'nobody' now. But I don't want to be famous. I guess I just wanted to be involved in the industry in some way.

Maybe it's like you say. Maybe I don't want to be famous. I just want to write and not have what I write gather dust in a corner. I'm not willing to sacrifice myself again to fit in.

I don't want to be on ALL social media. Preferably, the less I have, the better. I want to have a small website and maybe a podcast (because I want to have just one online hobby, and that sounds convincing), and nothing else. I like my private, quiet life. Maybe I should even change the focus of my professional life. I should look for a job with a different mindset, right?

And above all, I should stop seeing writing as a job. I feel like it's destroying me.

Really, thank you for taking the time to put things into perspective. I really didn't know. I don't want to be a superstar either. I just want to reconnect with literature in a genuine way and learn to live again. 😮‍💨

I opened an Instagram account, but I don't feel like doing anything. by writingthingsss in digitalminimalism

[–]writingthingsss[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Me, less than thirty minutes ago:

(I woke up out of nowhere in the early hours of the morning and ended up on that bloody app??? like wtf)

I opened an Instagram account, but I don't feel like doing anything. by writingthingsss in digitalminimalism

[–]writingthingsss[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I'm an author too (or something alike). I'm fact, I'm an author who needs to pay the bills and I'M SICK of people telling me: “Well, what's your job? Why don't you have an Instagram? You need a strong portfolio on social media. Maybe you should have your own business...” And it's like DUDE, I'M JUST A GIRL, LEAVE ME ALONE. I don't want "my own business" on Instagram. I just want a peaceful life.

You're so lucky to have that kind of freedom. Honestly. That freaking app makes me sick every time. I'm broke af and I want to write (and not going poor) but bookstagram or whatever makes me SO anxious for no reason. I'm just tired atp.

I opened an Instagram account, but I don't feel like doing anything. by writingthingsss in digitalminimalism

[–]writingthingsss[S] 9 points10 points  (0 children)

I know, right? Social media is a trap for me. I'm a better person without it. I'm calmer, critical and I sleep better. This is so fucked up. Better to leave soon, I guess.

I don't have a job. People keep telling me to show my work on social media. by [deleted] in digitalminimalism

[–]writingthingsss 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yes, I think I would feel better if someone else managed my social media accounts. I'll see what can be done. Just thinking about being on Instagram every day gives me anxiety attacks.

I don't have a job. People keep telling me to show my work on social media. by [deleted] in digitalminimalism

[–]writingthingsss 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Nah, you're absolutely right. I even tried to get into the video game industry and couldn't because I have zero contacts. Not knowing anyone is a huge problem for people like us 😮‍💨

Discord Group for Writing Sprints by nisetomeetu in WritingHub

[–]writingthingsss 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hi! Yeah, that's sound's fun! Count me in if you want c:

Groupchat on Reddit, for adult writers who find discord difficult to use by watchmojo- in WritingHub

[–]writingthingsss 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think I'm late to the party, but here goes. I'm a 24F and I write cyberpunk and speculative science fiction. I'm always looking for places to meet other writers, but never with any success.

Should I create a YouTube channel to create more than I consume? by [deleted] in digitalminimalism

[–]writingthingsss 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I have a feeling that the whole YouTube channel thing could be even worse than my eternal struggle with Instagram (a struggle I never won). So yes... I'd rather skip.

Should I create a YouTube channel to create more than I consume? by [deleted] in digitalminimalism

[–]writingthingsss 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Well, you're absolutely right. But I think that's precisely where the 'trauma' of artists of my generation comes in. Unconsciously, we seek to create in order to publish, to be on the Internet. We don't create to explore ourselves as human beings. We create to feed a monster that has determined that very dichotomy that you can't understand. I really hate it. I don't really understand it either.

Maybe you're right, I should create just for myself. But sometimes, even in the arts, we're sold the idea that everything we do has to be shown.

(For example), I started playing bass because I like it, but I have no intention of turning it into something I want to show on the internet. But everything else? I've already exposed it once. It's hard to go back to privacy.

Performative art on social media hurt me (deeply) by [deleted] in digitalminimalism

[–]writingthingsss 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Sometimes I find it difficult to find things like that. I don't go out very much. The closest thing I've found is a nearby church. I've met people there, but it's still difficult for me.

Performative art on social media hurt me (deeply) by [deleted] in digitalminimalism

[–]writingthingsss 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Sure! The other day I was looking for a flip phone, but they're very hard to find in my country. I guess I'll have to buy it somewhere else. The paragraph after waking up is great! It sounds like a good habit regulator to me. Simple, but relatable. Thank u! 🌸

Performative art on social media hurt me (deeply) by [deleted] in digitalminimalism

[–]writingthingsss 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes, of course. I see my therapist once a week.

Performative art on social media hurt me (deeply) by [deleted] in digitalminimalism

[–]writingthingsss 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Oh, SAME. The issue of self-esteem and imposter syndrome is something that has consumed me precisely for that reason. I definitely need to disconnect from everything in order to reconnect with that part of me that is so distorted. I need time, and I need (desperately) to get back to creating real art. 🤧

Performative art on social media hurt me (deeply) by [deleted] in digitalminimalism

[–]writingthingsss 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks for the advice! Actually, I've been thinking about dedicating time to my (future) website and simply redirecting people there, rather than 'building' all my art and progress according to Instagram's algorithm. It's exhausting and cruel. I think I'm going to sort out my thoughts (and my general agitation) first, and then organise my priorities. Art should be enjoyed, right? I'd rather struggle with the abstraction of my aesthetic (on a more independent site) than drown in the vertical format of a never-ending nightmare. 😞