I’ve never been happy on Instagram. The explanations as to why are both long and complex: I have real trouble looking at myself and always have done. Mental assessment is easy, I can do that in my sleep. It’s self-image and self-esteem are the biggest stumbling points. One day we’ll find a way to talk about it using poetry, but today is not that day.
Before coming here this morning, I spent an hour updating Instagram so it matches everywhere else in terms of ‘brand’ and it’s my plan this month to try and use it more frequently. We might even try doing some thematic stuff too now I am beginning to get my head around the routine. This should be a space for poetry and I have a lot of old content that could be easily slipped back into the space if I put my mind to it.
The other thing I am going to do is reach out to the photographer who took the fabulous pictures of me at the Open Mic in March and ask them if they do commissions because it would be a good idea at this stage to get myself some actual proper headshots. If they can’t help me, I think it might be the moment to see if the local Arts Collective can point me at someone helpful.
I am only now, in my late fifties, finding the confidence most people possess in their twenties. Knowing what has to be done is only half the battle on any given day. It is then becoming capable of realising those ideas in a practical (and crucially sustainable) format which will make the difference between progress and inertia. Again, it is the start of a new journey.
I’d suggest following me on Instagram if you are interested in the art and design portion of my journey. That’s where it will be showcased in the months that follow.