The Weekly Recap #85
Less performative, more authentic
A few weeks ago, around the holidays, I started hiding the number of likes on my Instagram photos. I tend to obsess over the analytics of my content and let the numbers control how I perceive myself. The reality is I have no control over how well something online does. There are tools I can use to set myself up for success but in the end, the algorithm decides your fate.
Funny enough after I did this I had a video get a lot of traction. First on TikTok then on Instagram, with almost 500k views between the two apps. Sure it’s not viral viral but for little old me this was a lot of action overnight. My followers jumped up by a couple thousand and the likes kept rolling in. Every time I would check my phone I would get a huge serotonin boost from tons of notifications. The wild part was how bad I felt when it stopped.
When you hide the like count on an Instagram post it hides the number from the public, not from you. I still have full access to analytics and I of course still check them. I don’t think hiding my likes has solved my problem completely but it has definitely helped. I have been posting a lot less and only posting photos that I want to post. The thoughts “will people like this?” or “I should post this because it will do well” don’t cross my mind as often when choosing what to share. Since no one knows how well my content is doing I feel free to share what I want. It’s less performative and I feel more authentic.
And as I am typing this out to you I am reminded of how none of this really matters…but then again it does. Along with more followers on Instagram, the traction of my video brought new subscribers to this newsletter (Hi!). Social media is a necessary evil that I will always hate while simultaneously being unbelievably addicted to. Oy.
A bright spot in my dull January week is that I am currently doing another VI Peel. Since my last one in October, I have stopped using Instagram filters in my stories. Yes, it has improved my skin that much and yes, you need one!
Instagram filters are a mind fuck for everyone. It changes the way we see ourselves and the way we look at others. Even subtle alterations and the smallest tweak to the face can mess with us all. It sets an unobtainable beauty standard and I feel better not using them altogether.
My cooking has stayed the same this week. Saucy, braised, comforting dishes with the occasional salad here and there. I’m feeling cooking fatigue and finding it hard to pull inspiration for anything “fun” or “new.” I worked on a short rib recipe that has been in the works for months. I don’t make short ribs often (Marco is allergic) but I think I need to do another test run and get this recipe out before winter is over. Next week in The Kitchen Club we are lightening things up with a quick go-to salad. Every night I am aware of the few extra minutes of daylight we are getting and I am grateful for what’s to come (SPRING!!).
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Marco had pancakes for dinner the night I had short ribs and I made them on our griddle. We have had it for a few years and although it is a single-use item, it gets a lot of use! If you are a frequent pancake maker you need a griddle! Just don’t use a metal spatula on it because it will scratch the nonstick coating. I don’t know why it comes with one.
Thanks for reading! If you want to see more, you can follow me on Instagram for daily stories of all the things I cook, random thoughts I have, and one too many pet photos. Talk to you next Sunday! M
I love you and your honesty