My Instagram account started to feel like a job.

I had to post 5 times a week. If I didn’t, I failed my followers. I had to reply to all comments in a timely manner. If I didn’t, I failed my followers. I had to write good enough poems or prose to posts, even if I wasn’t feeling inspired, because of that 5 times a week posting needs. But I never felt like I was great at it. I started my account (@tornepages) as an outlet from my prose writing. But the more time passed, the more pressure I felt until it was too much and I had to step back.

I’ve been mostly inactive this year. I always take a break from Instagram at the end of the year, around the holidays, because I visit family and just need a social media break. But instead of coming back in 2019 to be active, I felt like I was forcing myself. I wasn’t enjoying it. So I finally took a hiatus in March to re-evaluate.

I had a chapter book series come out this year (Isle of Misfits, under the pen name Jamie Mae) and I’m another book (a queer YA) and I work in publishing during the day, too. I think it’s too hard for me to find a release in writing when I’m getting paid to do it.

So I’ve decided to change direction with my Instagram account. Simultaneously my most viral posts have been my art, and my most unliked posts have been my art. I don’t think I’ll ever be a paid artist than same way I’m a paid writer, but I get enjoyment out of it so I’m going to focus my account on it full-time.

I’m excited about this new direction--to make my account primarily an art one. I think I’ll post when I can, but won’t commit to doing it regularly on Monday/Wednesday/Friday/etc. I’ll interact more with followers and other instragrammers and feel more connected with the content I’m publishing.

There are a lot of fabulous poets on Instagram. I love the community dearly. I think it’s the most open and welcoming writing community on social media. I’ll still be following my favorites but don’t think I’ll be posting poems unless I feel particularly inspired.

I don’t think I have a particular art style, either. It’s something I’ve been doing off and on since I was a little kid, but never developed a style. A signature. I look forward to evolving and finding what that is.

oxo