Friday 2 June 2023

Chasing Waterfalls

Recently, I have become rather ambivalent about certain social media, or more specifically my behaviour towards it. Now, I don't 'do' Facebook, I've never looked at Twitter. I'm almost certainly too old for Snapchat and TikTok :) YouTube has it's advantages, but I rarely have the opportunity to sit and watch videos. Which leaves me with Instagram. 

I began using the Instagram app way back in 2017 and I have always enjoyed it. There are so many pretty pictures to scroll through, and just as many images to scroll right past ;) It is so very quick and simple to post. I've found it fun,  informative, and inspiring at times. I mainly follow outdoorsy folk who enjoy fell walking, and the app makes it simple to connect with and share ideas with others, which can be wonderful.

Lately, however, some of the individuals I originally began following for inspiration have morphed into influencers, who always seem to be affiliated with certain brands or promoting a new product. I have already unfollowed many for this reason, and yet I still find myself scrolling mindlessly through posts, or worse still, comparing myself unfavourably  with those who somehow manage to have successful careers, as well as some sort of side hustle, an incredibly busy social life and an even more active social media.   

This photo sharing app, which I began using as a bit of fun, has now become something which holds much less appeal for me. And I realise, I think I need to take a step back from it, for a little while at least.

I hope that from now on I will be spending more of my time on here, as for me it feels like the difference between waving a quick 'hello!' to someone or sitting down with friends, while enjoying a cup of tea and a good chat.

Photographs were taken last weekend, while on the waterfalls walk at Rydal Hall. Ironically, I was with a lovely group of people who I met though Instagram. Maybe there are some advantages to using it after all. 

J. X

30 comments:

  1. It looks lovely there at Rydal Hall and it must have been nice to wander around with a group of friends.Your blog is always interesting with wonderful photographs so I'm happy you will be spending more time here xx

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    1. It is so nice there. The walk up by the falls is lovely and shaded beneath the trees. X

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  2. I only use Facebook for a few local groups - handy to know what's going on but have never bothered with anything other than blogging. Too many people wanting to tell everyone how wonderful their life is everywhere except blog world which always seems friendly.
    I love your photos of your part of the world too so please keep sharing them here.

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    1. I don't know how some people manage to keep up with them all! I hadn't realised just how much time I was wasting, frequently scrolling through Instagram. X

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  3. I still have an account with Instagram but rarely post or look at it these day for precisely the reasons you mentioned, there are far too many people posting photos of their "perfect" lives. I much prefer blogging and blog reading than scrolling through instagram. Lovely photos, thanks for sharing.

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    1. I think that, for me at least, blogging feels more considered and meaningful.
      Also, I found that I was scrolling habitually most of the time, as whenever I sat down for a moment I would instantly reach for my phone. X

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  4. Thank you for posting your beautiful picture of Rydal, our happy place, back there next weekend. Thank you for sharing. All the best.

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    1. It is beautiful there, isn't it. I hope you enjoy the same sunny weather for your visit. X

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  5. Beautiful photos of the waterfalls, Jules. It's easy to spend hours on social media, isn't it? I stay up too late at night watching online videos! :D

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    1. Social media is a fantastic way of connecting with others and I gain so much from being on here and on Instagram. For me, the problem lies in my habitual use of it. X

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  6. Loved seeing your beautiful photographs.
    Wishing you a happy weekend.

    All the best Jan

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  7. Yes. Yes. Yes. I loved Instagram. Until I didn't. You explained it perfectly. It is the difference between a quick hello and sitting down with friends. I look forward to visiting with you here even more, my friend!

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    1. I have uninstalled the app from my phone for the time being. I was forever reaching for my phone without even realising. Xx

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  8. I stick to blogland and get great pleasure from it. Love your photographs

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    1. Thank you, Pat. I have always found it to be a friendly and welcoming space. X

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  9. Hi Jules. I agree Instagram has changed from how it was in the beginning. I definitely miss the old Instagram. I've never been a fan of Facebook and haven't been on there in at least twelve years now. To me, blogging is the best! I often make a cup of tea before I sit down to read through my blog list. Thank you for continuing to blog. Yours is always so lovely to visit!

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    1. Thank you, Julia. That is a lovely thing to say.
      Instagram does seem to be all about the likes and followers these days. Don't even get me started on the blue tick :) I expect I will use it again in the future, but for now it feels good to be having a little break from it. X

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  10. I enjoy looking at photographs on IG but only follow a few people and choose to see only posts from those I follow. I much prefer reading blog posts. As you say, so much more than a quick waving hello. For work, I have a Twitter account but I am not keen at all, it is a dark place to visit if you are not really careful. Your photographs are beautiful (they always are) and I often feel like I am exploring your part the world through your eyes. A lovely experience!

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    1. I have never ventured into Twitter, so I wouldn't know where to start. Social media is a great tool, but my use of Instagram had become habitual, and I didn't like that.
      Thank you, Christina. X

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  11. I love your photos, jUles. You have me hankering to return to the Lakes after a 15 year hiatus!
    I abandoned IG three years ago, although there were some lovely folk on there I want the story behind the pretty pictures, blogging wins every time. Facebook is fine for keeping up with mates birthdays and travel & festival traders forums but the moaning drives me daft! xxx

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    1. Thank you Vix. Everywhere is lush and green at the moment. Even after all the warm weather.
      I do like Instagram, it's just my habitual use of it that was becoming a problem and I was constantly reaching for my phone for no reason. I tried Facebook years ago, but I soon realised it wasn't for me :)

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  12. Firstly, great blog post title Jules. I love the blogging friends that I have made over the last few years and visiting everybody in their little corners. I don't use any other social media platform.

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    1. Thank you, Beverley. I have always found Blogland to be a very friendly place. Xx

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  13. I think you might be able to limit your time on Instagram, I think, I may be wrong. I quite like it but as I don't get many likes , I don't tend to compare myself with anyone. Blogs are my fave for sure. X

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    1. To be honest with you, I haven't really missed it. I had just gotten into a habit of reaching for my phone and scrolling whenever I had a spare moment.
      The likes never really bothered me, in fact I didn't post all that often, but my use of the app had just become habitual rather than enjoyable. Xx

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  14. I apologize...I'm falling behind on my comments and visits, but I had to drop a note about this, it was so good to read, and know that others feel as I do. I too, don't "do" Facebook, Instagram, and any of the " younger" social media apps..I don't know why...maybe it's because everything seems to be so "perfectly perfect". Perfect families, homes, meals, even what should be casual selfies seem staged. When I look for other women farmers/homesteaders to follow, I see perfection....where is the dirt under their nails or the messy hair? Ha, I'm pretty sure that's not just me (at least I hope so!). But now that I want to sell items from the farm, I keep hearing I need to be on Facebook...I really don't want to...but I want to find customers. Maybe a second blog instead of Facebook... I'm so much more comfortable with that idea...sigh.



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    1. Hello, Mary! I hope I didn't come across as being too negative :)
      I remember at one time, I used to see so many images of (clearly unused) shiny red Hunter boots placed on doorsteps, and chuckling to myself that mine were a dull navy colour, and always covered in mud.
      I believe Facebook is used by a lot of businesses, very successfully, so it must be worth a try. Xx

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  15. I’ve always thought that you have a knack for finding the photo in a situation. The ones in this post are gorgeous. Eloise

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    1. Thank you, Eloise. In this instance, they seemed particularly appropriate :)

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