Why We’re Stepping Away from Instagram This Year

We’re stepping away from Instagram this year. It may not be forever, but for now… I’m finding that Instagram simply doesn’t serve us (or our clients) to the fullest.

We haven’t been active on Instagram for awhile, and this feels like a good time to fully step away from a platform that, in this season, feels more depleting than life-giving.

Interested in our reasons behind this decision? I’m happy to share my thoughts and invite you to a conversation:

A Practical Decision

From a practical business perspective, it has become clear that for me, Instagram is not worth the time investment. Instagram can be a valuable tool: supposedly, it allows us to connect with an audience for free. But is it really free? Maybe Instagram has a higher price tag than we think.

As busy entrepreneurs, time is our most precious resource. I want to invest my time wisely, both in business and in my personal life. When time is money, Instagram doesn’t feel like a wise investment for me.

The current Instagram algorithm prioritizes frequent video content in order to stay visible to followers. When I look at my own priorities in business and in life, they don’t feel aligned with Instagram’s method. Creating daily video content doesn’t feel like the most effective way to serve my clients, grow my business, or be fully present in my personal relationships.

It doesn’t feel wise to invest my time creating content that disappears in a day… nor does it feel wise to invest my personal life in mindless scrolling.

If I’m going to invest my time in creating content for you, I want it to be thoughtful, honest, and comprehensive.

I don’t feel like I can offer the quality and depth of content I want to share within the limits of a short caption or a 30-second reel.

If I’m going to spend an hour creating content, I want to make sure it is valuable. I love to share contemplative thoughts, richly authentic stories, and comprehensive brand advice. Instead of investing an hour of my time filming a trendy reel, I’m choosing to invest my time creating resources that I hope will offer lasting value.

… And a Personal Decision Too

It’s also a personal choice. This year, I’m choosing to focus on what is life sustaining rather than life draining. I want my energy and my focus to be prioritized for things that feel meaningful and life-giving: my own well-being. Relationships with my loved ones. Creativity for the work that I love so much.

In this current season of my life, Instagram does not feel life-sustaining.

It’s true that those small squares can hold immense inspiration, innumerable connections, and a voice for those who wish to use it as a platform. It can be a valuable tool for business; I certainly won’t deny that.

But when I look at what aligns with what I personally value most, Instagram doesn’t make the list.

Of course, that may not be the case for you; perhaps you do find sustaining joy and excitement in browsing your home feed or creating reels for other people to connect with and enjoy. You do you! My own decision isn’t coming from a place of judgment, but rather one of personal clarity and wellness.

A shift in mindset…

I also think there is something inherently valuable about long-form reading and writing: it asks us to think.

Instagram, on the other hand, asks us to react. It demands that we react quickly and emotionally, rather than allowing time for composed thoughts or engaging discussions.

It’s easy to get swept up into the fast-paced world of infinite scrolling, but I know our minds (and hearts) are meant for something more purposeful than a quick double-tap.

I want to shift my mindset from reactive response to engaged thinking. I want to be challenged by interesting discussions, thoughtful writing, and meaningful conversations.

I want to take all those hours I spent scrolling through Instagram last year and re-invest them into reading books, journaling, exploring nature, and cultivating relationships. I want to fill my mind and heart with purposeful experiences of wonder, not complacency.

Common Questions

When I mention stepping away from Instagram, I’ve encountered a variety of responses… but there have been some common questions I’m happy to address here:

How can your business survive without Instagram?

Well… we’ll find out! But, truth be told, I’ve often wondered quite the opposite: how can my business thrive with Instagram? I don’t own the platform. It requires hours of time and attention. It doesn’t fill my soul with creativity, originality, or joy—all of which are essential to my well-being and the well-being of my business.

How will you get new clients?

While some of our clients have found us on Instagram in the past, we’ve made a big effort to increase referrals from other sources. Pinterest has been a rewarding evergreen lead generator for us! Most importantly, I am so grateful for a network of steady referrals from my past clients.

Why share all of this?

I could just moonwalk my way out of Instagram without ever looking back… but in the spirit of transparency, authenticity, and relationship—I want to share these thoughts and my personal experience with you. There was a time where I thought I couldn’t leave Instagram and maintain a thriving business. Now, I know that isn’t true. I am forever in pursuit of a business well-loved and a life well-lived. Stepping away from Instagram feels like a key part of that philosophy in this season of my life.

How can we contact you?

So glad you asked!

Email Me: hello@sarahanndesign.co
Interested in Working Together? Inquire Here
Resources, Latest Work, and Insights: Join the Email List
Inspiration: Connect on Pinterest

Part of my reason for stepping away from Instagram is to engage in authentic relationships with real people: conversations between one human soul and another. I really mean that: I would love to connect with you.

I hope you’ll reach out so we can schedule a time to get better acquainted over a cup of coffee or a glass of wine. I know it’s not quite as easy as an Instagram DM, but I have a feeling the conversation will be richer and our lives will be fuller because of it. I hope to hear from you soon!