Why I quit Instagram and how it’s going, a one-year update | casual catchup + cozy ink log session

Hi, friends! I hope you’re doing well. This week’s video is a casual, crafternoon-style hangout, where I work on a page out of my pen log. My goal is to create one page for every bottle of ink that I own, so I can have a place to compare how the ink performs in different pens and nib sizes. At the same time, I reflect on my experience and observations after having quit Instagram for a year. It’s something I’d been thinking about doing for a while, but hesitated because it was also a business account for my small business (littlecoco.co). If you are an Instagram user, how has your experience been with the platform? And if you’re not, how do you feel about not using the platform? I’d be so curious to hear about your experiences in the comments below. Also, if you have any feedback or requests for future videos, please let me know! Thanks for being here; I appreciate you! 💗 Products used in video: The Everyday book - Tomoe River Paper - Set of 3 - Regular Size: https://www.galenleather.com/products/the-everyday-book-tomoe-river-paper-set-of-3-regular-size Kakimori brass nib: https://yosekastationery.com/products/kakimori-metal-nib-brass Kakimori nib holder - Sakura Wood: https://yosekastationery.com/products/kakimori-nib-holder-sakura-wood Ferris Wheel Press - Lady Rose: https://ferriswheelpress.com/products/lady-rose To help you navigate this video, I’ve included timestamps below: 0:00 - Intro 1:15 - Background 4:25 - Why did I quit Instagram? 4:44 - Taking a vacation vs. Quitting Instagram 6:22 - Being on Instagram had a direct, negative impact on my mood 7:07 - I struggled to balance my professional and personal contacts 9:39 - Reflection 9:43 - Storytime: I thought I quit, but I was wrong 12:42 - short-term observations 13:18 - long-term observations 13:30 - less mood swings 15:01 - more time for other creative hobbies 15:28 - more time for an offline social life 16:45 - I’m prioritizing real photos of perfect photos 16:56 - Challenges 17:02 - I lost touch with some friends 17:44 - It led to feelings of isolation and disconnection 18:36 - Harder to connect and stay up-to-date with artists, creators, and small businesses 20:33 - Benefits 20:36 - Life feels more quiet 21:20 - I've been more mindful during my downtime 21:46 - My impulsive spending has decreased 24:09 - Final thoughts 26:23 - It may be unrealistic and unnecessary to quit Instagram HEALTH AND WELLNESS How I use my hobonichi weeks to navigate the sunday scaries as someone with ADHD https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xl7ecEQmAhQ Slowing down and staying focused with year-long creative projects | crochet temperature blanket https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vb2nNAHClIo&t=4s How I deal with impulse spending and hyper-focusing on my fountain pen hobby as someone with ADHD https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eIXNXdO4CqU Why self-compassion is important for my self-care + 3 ways I'm using my hobonichi a6 cousin + weeks https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ui4lY6FjEZQ&t=1696s How I manage my stress and self-care when I have no time | Hobonichi + Traveler’s Notebook 2024 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQVo4sAPw3g&t=1779s How I decide what to track in my health and wellness Hobonichi Weeks | Functional planner setup 2024 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PeHWRZFKSGw&t=9s How I built a better self-care plan to prevent burnout and my 2024 Hobonichi Original A6 set-up https://youtu.be/5nIZUJHux9I My fountain pen cleaning routine, a 1960s Parker45, and a chat about procrastination + perfectionism https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7CQZgnlHXRk&t=1s *** Thank you so much for being here! 💗  Due to my working schedule, I am unable to commit to a regular upload schedule, so please subscribe and turn on the notifications for when new videos upload if you’d like to see more from me :) NAME: Alison INSPIRATION: My rescue dog, Coconut. 🥥 EDITOR: me!