Yesterday, I took a break from Instagram. I don’t do that often, but every once in a while, it’s nice not to have to create content, check DMs, or scroll through my feed. Instead of being tethered to the ‘Gram, I enjoyed my day at the barn, did some errands, and had a leisurely evening where I prepared for the week ahead.
As someone who creates content for a living and manages client’s social media platforms, there are times when the demands of the digital world can feel overwhelming. Usually, I don’t mind it, but it’s nice when I can put the phone down, give my eyes a rest, and be fully present in whatever I’m doing at the moment.
But finding time for a social media break can be a challenge. Between writing, filming, and managing and scheduling content, it feels like I’m “on call” a lot. However, I’ve learned that a break can actually be beneficial for myself…and my platform.
Here’s how I decide when to take a break:
- When I’ve posted frequently in the past week: Let’s face it, some weeks are busier than others. When I have a busy week where I’ve posted many Stories or Reels, I like to take some time away from Instagram. Sometimes, when posts are performing well and getting a lot of traction, that can be the perfect time for a break.
- When I’m doing the same thing: Weekends are when I go to the barn and get in some riding time. But that also means that my Instagram is flooded with horse content. While I have many followers who are equestrians, I find that one day of that type of content is enough. So, when I know I have a weekend planned at the barn, I give myself “off” from posting on Sundays.
- When I don’t have anything relevant to post: I’m a big believer in quality over quantity when it comes to posting content. And there are times that I don’t have anything new or noteworthy to share or talk about. That’s when I use the time to take a break, brainstorm, and come back with fresh content ideas.
As much as I love social media and my platform, when you make your passion your paycheck, there are times when it’s helpful to detach and regroup. And while I won’t post to my page or Stories during my 24-hour break, I usually do a couple of check-ins throughout the day, you know, for business purposes. However, if you can take an actual break and not feel like you need to check in, that’s even better. One great thing about the time off is not only that you come back refreshed, but so does your audience.
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