What a life-enriching step, stepping out of the Meta-verse! I don't go on Insta, so I'm glad we're all the beneficiaries here with this amazing photo and the story behind it. Really poignant and funny and wonderful. Loved it.
Love the photo and the idea of discussing it. My immediate thoughts were what was the strange shadow that looks like the post office tower on its side and yes jumper tucked in to trousers is a no no even at that tender age! Just off to delete Instagram which I've been thinking about doing for a while, thanks for the prompt.
Thank you for this, I too am toying with the idea of deleting my fb and insta accounts. Oddly I watched the Berger series for the umpteenth time last week and was thinking along the same lines.
Thank you for reading Simi. I haven’t had a Facebook or Twitter account for a long time and I never missed them. I have friends on Insta that I don’t see due to distance and it’s been helpful in that respect. But I feel that there is too much at stake now. It’s taking me ages to actually get my data too, so it’s not a quick process.
You can share here in the Notes tab. I like it here because no ads, or crazy reels. Plus for us in the States it is a safe place to post. META owned platforms just support the oligarchy that includes Mark Zuckerberg who wears a million dollar watch. He wants to Rob us of our health care and social security cause he needs a tax break. It is disgusting and you did a great thing. Thank you.
I pulled the plug at 11:59 PM in 2019 and have never looked back. I have never felt "fomo" and every couple of weeks I do internet searches for upcoming gigs and art exhibits. I don't believe I have missed any crucial shows by not being on FB or IG. When my family first suggested I start writing on Substack, I was wary as I worried it would be another social media and to be honest, 'Notes' these days is just another social media (it feels more and more like Twitter or a FB feed every day). Yet it is the stories and the art of writing that keep me here. However, I am also mindful. I don't have the app on my phone and I rarely engage with 'Notes.'
There was a time when none of us where walking around with a television/computer in our pockets.We had a desk (without a big screen slapped in the middle) ink and paper captured the thoughts of our hearts and minds,Social Media has interfered with this once very natural process.Thankfully the heart and mind will, i believe still exist in the future along with the still image but it will require discipline ,vigilance and action.Thank you for reminding us Margaret,Great article👌
This was a lovely read and that photo is adorable! It really captures the era. And your miniskirt and boots get-up is so fashionable—you were clearly already a style icon. The final line about Timmy tucking in his jumper to his pants made me LOL. It's true, he'd never be cool enough for you. Congratulations on breaking up with Meta. You're an inspiration. I really ought to do the same. I'll just miss some of my critter feed friends. That's pretty much what my feed has become, just videos of cute animals, but I know I can see that here too on Substack. Looking forward to your "Picture This" posts.
After reading this I deleted the Instagram app from my phone so despite your best efforts, you’re still an influencer!
I still love aspects of it; there are people I mostly contact through there and there are still some artists worth following. The usefulness as a creative outlet has long gone, if it ever was, and it’s no longer worth all the moronic trawling to glean whatever benefit remains. It takes up too much time and makes me feel terrible.
Substack is my first social media account (not counting my blog, despite my 200ish followers in 17 years), but even then, the Notes page can be a huge time suck.
I love the picture and the story behind it. What a jumper-tucker Timmy is- no, that would never work, Margaret!💕
This is brilliant Margaret ! All so true about images on instagram ! I barely go on it these days. I too worry about my kids but they are so different from us , their brains have already developed in different ways (popcorn) brain and sadly they are probably already conditioned to it all and again sadly they can’t look back and compare to a once simple life like us !
Your photo story made me well up , so beautifully written and about a time before your parents split up ! Mine also separated when I was 8. The end made me chuckle though 😃
I essentially quit Facebook and Instagram last year, but there's something final about deleting the accounts that I cannot bring myself to do. I really should, because that doom scroll only gets worse everytime I take a peak.
Love the picture project, I hope it becomes a regular feature.
I really like your idea of talking about the stories behind photos. And I haven't used IG for a while myself - when I occasionally pop in I just see loads of adverts (usually reels of influencers farting about with their hair or make-up) and posts from accounts I don't follow. It was like be constantly shaken by the shoulders and wasn't the "nice place with nice pictures" that it was when I joined it.
This is beautiful, Margaret, and that picture project is lovely.
I hear you loud and clear and all that, but...but...but...
I've been banging on so much about this lately, and I fear I'm stuck. If I want to make a living writing, which I do, I need to promote and all that (right?). I wish it weren't the case, I'm trying to simplify life and spend less time online in general and now I'm being told that I need to be all over the place and so, to my dismay, here I am making an ass of myself on TikTok and IG all in the name of branding and marketing and...I just wish I could avoid these wretched places and spend all my time on Substack. Maybe there's a way.
In case this is helpful to know - a lot of publishers advise authors to pick a platform (or two, however many) which you really enjoy and just focus on that. If you don't feel comfortable on a particular one, then you shouldn't feel obliged to use it. I've never used TikTok myself and haven't used IG or Twitter for ages. And a lot of publishers and agents will tell you it's best to focus on your writing than faff about on social media.
The problem is, Substack is the only I enjoy! 😂 And I don't feel comfortable (yet?) on any of them. I have heard conflicting advice - some to post 3-4 times a day on TikTok/BookTok, some people tell me I should be everywhere, and they're pushing Threads down my throat. I would love to focus on my writing, for sure. I keep using the phrase 'necessary evil' to talk about these other platforms.
But thank you - it's definitely helpful to know and I'll take comfort from your advice ☺️
What a life-enriching step, stepping out of the Meta-verse! I don't go on Insta, so I'm glad we're all the beneficiaries here with this amazing photo and the story behind it. Really poignant and funny and wonderful. Loved it.
Thanks so much Rob.
I love this piece. Such a nice photo story and a great idea
Thanks for reading Emma.
Love the photo and the idea of discussing it. My immediate thoughts were what was the strange shadow that looks like the post office tower on its side and yes jumper tucked in to trousers is a no no even at that tender age! Just off to delete Instagram which I've been thinking about doing for a while, thanks for the prompt.
Thanks Joanna. Your description of the shadow made me chuckle.
Thank you for this, I too am toying with the idea of deleting my fb and insta accounts. Oddly I watched the Berger series for the umpteenth time last week and was thinking along the same lines.
Thank you for reading Simi. I haven’t had a Facebook or Twitter account for a long time and I never missed them. I have friends on Insta that I don’t see due to distance and it’s been helpful in that respect. But I feel that there is too much at stake now. It’s taking me ages to actually get my data too, so it’s not a quick process.
Thank you and yes, I agree. For us in diaspora it is a way of feeling connected with our kin.
Another great read Margaret. I love the journey the post takes me on. Loads of food for thought. Look forward to the next.
Thank you Mary.
You can share here in the Notes tab. I like it here because no ads, or crazy reels. Plus for us in the States it is a safe place to post. META owned platforms just support the oligarchy that includes Mark Zuckerberg who wears a million dollar watch. He wants to Rob us of our health care and social security cause he needs a tax break. It is disgusting and you did a great thing. Thank you.
I pulled the plug at 11:59 PM in 2019 and have never looked back. I have never felt "fomo" and every couple of weeks I do internet searches for upcoming gigs and art exhibits. I don't believe I have missed any crucial shows by not being on FB or IG. When my family first suggested I start writing on Substack, I was wary as I worried it would be another social media and to be honest, 'Notes' these days is just another social media (it feels more and more like Twitter or a FB feed every day). Yet it is the stories and the art of writing that keep me here. However, I am also mindful. I don't have the app on my phone and I rarely engage with 'Notes.'
That all sounds very sensible Michael. And good advice regarding the trawl for gigs/exhibitions.
fab idea! love the photo and your outfit! it's amazing what memories a photo can conjour up - looking forward to more x
There was a time when none of us where walking around with a television/computer in our pockets.We had a desk (without a big screen slapped in the middle) ink and paper captured the thoughts of our hearts and minds,Social Media has interfered with this once very natural process.Thankfully the heart and mind will, i believe still exist in the future along with the still image but it will require discipline ,vigilance and action.Thank you for reminding us Margaret,Great article👌
I hope so Jon. Thanks for reading. X
This was a lovely read and that photo is adorable! It really captures the era. And your miniskirt and boots get-up is so fashionable—you were clearly already a style icon. The final line about Timmy tucking in his jumper to his pants made me LOL. It's true, he'd never be cool enough for you. Congratulations on breaking up with Meta. You're an inspiration. I really ought to do the same. I'll just miss some of my critter feed friends. That's pretty much what my feed has become, just videos of cute animals, but I know I can see that here too on Substack. Looking forward to your "Picture This" posts.
Thank you Hilary. It is difficult. There’s an emotional investment, but there’ll be other ways. X
After reading this I deleted the Instagram app from my phone so despite your best efforts, you’re still an influencer!
I still love aspects of it; there are people I mostly contact through there and there are still some artists worth following. The usefulness as a creative outlet has long gone, if it ever was, and it’s no longer worth all the moronic trawling to glean whatever benefit remains. It takes up too much time and makes me feel terrible.
There’s a lot I’ll miss but, on balance it’s got to be a good thing.
Substack is my first social media account (not counting my blog, despite my 200ish followers in 17 years), but even then, the Notes page can be a huge time suck.
I love the picture and the story behind it. What a jumper-tucker Timmy is- no, that would never work, Margaret!💕
What a jumper tucker my new rhyming slang.
It’s code for “not stylish enough”, haha! “Pass on that one, I bet he’s a jumper tucker!”😁
This is brilliant Margaret ! All so true about images on instagram ! I barely go on it these days. I too worry about my kids but they are so different from us , their brains have already developed in different ways (popcorn) brain and sadly they are probably already conditioned to it all and again sadly they can’t look back and compare to a once simple life like us !
Your photo story made me well up , so beautifully written and about a time before your parents split up ! Mine also separated when I was 8. The end made me chuckle though 😃
Thank you Francis. Popcorn brain indeed. It scares me senseless but as you say the horse has already bolted.
I essentially quit Facebook and Instagram last year, but there's something final about deleting the accounts that I cannot bring myself to do. I really should, because that doom scroll only gets worse everytime I take a peak.
Love the picture project, I hope it becomes a regular feature.
Thank you Lewis. I’m not very good at being regular but hoping this one will stick.
I really like your idea of talking about the stories behind photos. And I haven't used IG for a while myself - when I occasionally pop in I just see loads of adverts (usually reels of influencers farting about with their hair or make-up) and posts from accounts I don't follow. It was like be constantly shaken by the shoulders and wasn't the "nice place with nice pictures" that it was when I joined it.
Thanks for reading Helen. Hopefully they’ll be more posts about pictures here.
This is beautiful, Margaret, and that picture project is lovely.
I hear you loud and clear and all that, but...but...but...
I've been banging on so much about this lately, and I fear I'm stuck. If I want to make a living writing, which I do, I need to promote and all that (right?). I wish it weren't the case, I'm trying to simplify life and spend less time online in general and now I'm being told that I need to be all over the place and so, to my dismay, here I am making an ass of myself on TikTok and IG all in the name of branding and marketing and...I just wish I could avoid these wretched places and spend all my time on Substack. Maybe there's a way.
For now, I'll live vicariously through you :)
In case this is helpful to know - a lot of publishers advise authors to pick a platform (or two, however many) which you really enjoy and just focus on that. If you don't feel comfortable on a particular one, then you shouldn't feel obliged to use it. I've never used TikTok myself and haven't used IG or Twitter for ages. And a lot of publishers and agents will tell you it's best to focus on your writing than faff about on social media.
The problem is, Substack is the only I enjoy! 😂 And I don't feel comfortable (yet?) on any of them. I have heard conflicting advice - some to post 3-4 times a day on TikTok/BookTok, some people tell me I should be everywhere, and they're pushing Threads down my throat. I would love to focus on my writing, for sure. I keep using the phrase 'necessary evil' to talk about these other platforms.
But thank you - it's definitely helpful to know and I'll take comfort from your advice ☺️