🍓Instantjam

Photos & Videos

I usually don't like to criticise things openly, but I am making an exception: instagram. In the last 2 years I was manicly posting things and comparing myself with other artists (who I greatly admired). Instagram is sold to us artists as a "cheap, efficient and fun" way to advertise ourselves. But its also designed to be addicitve. It got to a point inwhich I would spend 4 hours a day on instagram and in my everyday-life I kept looking out for things I could post. It took a really bad toll on my mental wellbeing. And my wellbeing is my most important resource! Without health I can't work and without work, I can't feed myself as a freelance artist. Last year in November a friend asked me "How many bookings have you gotten so far off of instagram?" - I thought about it:"Only one". Judging by the hours I put in over the last 2 years - it's an hourly rate of 0,073€! And I was feeling dreadful and lost site of my actual work: creating performances.

I logged out of instagram in November 2024 and have only been online 1 since then. It was super hard, as I was a super-addict and was convinced this was my lifeline for success. I thankfully had two phones. An iphone which had instagram on it and a Samsung that was bulky and didn't have it installed. I posted my Iphone into my sisters letterbox one night and its been with her since. She's good at keeping it from me. The Samsung is so bulky and unintuitive, that thank god I have not instagram installed on it. Its more like a work phone than a fun-phone. This has worked for me. And I have been able to create much more art and most importantly: I have peace of mind. Worth more than gold!

The only two sectors that call their customers "users" are social media and drugdealers.

If you feel in any way you want to get off of social media: Go for it! The best way is to reach out to your loved ones. Get rid of the apps and every time you feel the urge to download them: Call or text a friend/family instead! Or do some selfcare: Go out for a walk, make tea or do your nails. Be part of this world again! It might seem boring at first, but soon you will notice: It is far more exciting, nourishing and beautiful than anything you could find online.

I do still have the instagram account, as people keep asking for it and there are so many videos/photos on there - it works as a portfolio. I have now started asking a friend (who is less prone to addiction) to upload new images there, so I don't have to log in.

But also I have thought of just having my own instagram: instantjam. There is no communication between people here, but its an intuitive cute way to display my art.

Instantjam is best enjoyed with tea, toast and jam. My favourite is raspberry-jam.

OK, you little soft hedgehogs - Enjoy!

Love,

Lee aka Killer Kitsch Queen