Why I decided to wipe my Instagram

On the magic of shedding the "shoulds" and starting again

The Magic of a 'F**k It' Moment

The funny thing is, when you hit a point where you feel like you've got nothing left to lose (I’m speaking philosophically here), that's when you start trying things. My husband and I like to call this a ‘f**k it’ moment. You let go, and suddenly, there's freedom to experiment.

In the past couple of weeks since we last spoke, I’ve hit one of those moments. I’ve revived my website, taken a fresh look at my Instagram, and a complete digital declutter.

Saying Goodbye to Instagram (Kind Of)

Let’s rewind

Pretty Pastels & ‘Sassy Du Fleur’ - a character I invented who wore floral dresses

Years ago, Instagram was my creative lifeline. I made a living from sponsored posts, commissions, and selling prints on Not On The High Street and Etsy. All of this grew from experimenting during my daughter’s naptimes. What started as a way to play and connect with other creatives exploded into something I never expected. Thanks to Insta, I picked up styling skills, photography, and even stop-motion animation - things I’d never have tried otherwise.

But with every hour spent staring at a screen, I craved more analogue expression. I was making paper animations but still spending far too much time on the computer, so I started doodling again.

I shared some of this new work on Instagram, and, well, it didn’t exactly go down well with my followers. Over the past couple of years, I’ve lost over 20,000 followers. I want to say it didn’t matter, but it hit me hard. Losing those numbers pulled at my heart and took a toll on my creative confidence.

My daughter is 12 now, and I'm a different person. My work is different, too.

Finding Myself Again

As I shifted my style, the followers kept dropping, and so did my self-esteem. It took a couple of years to feel creatively strong again. I had to refine my new skills and reevaluate what I really wanted from my art.

After throwing my proverbial dreams out with the bathwater, I thought, “Why not just keep a record of my work for myself on Insta?” At first, I considered starting a brand-new account, but then I realised there are still people I value in my current community. I didn’t want to lose those creative connections.

So, instead of starting over, I deleted my entire feed. Every reel, every stop-motion animation, every flat lay, every sponsored post—gone. It felt amazing, like decluttering my house. It’s been a full-on digital declutter, and it’s incredibly liberating!

Was it social media hari kari? Maybe, but I feel a whole better now.

Wiping the slate clean

I’ve also revived my website and have plans for that, along with reopening my Etsy shop.

Creative Projects to Keep the Darkness at Bay

Working on these creative projects helps me forget about all the noise. Planning, posting, and taking photos stops me from ruminating on how rubbish I feel some days or the general sense of despair I sometimes feel about the world.

I throw on my Spotify playlists, sing along, and get lost in whatever I’m working on. I have literally zero expectations for any of this - it’s for me. If I sell something one day, great. If not, OK, no biggie.

Right now, I’m working on lots of new plans, including tattoo designs (so many people have told me they’d love my work as tattoos, so I’m running with that). Oh, and I’m putting a tattoo machine on my Christmas list. Hubby, if you’re reading this, take note!

georgiestclair.com

A Real Reckoning

In many ways, this whole process feels like a reckoning with my creative journey - a beautiful mix of letting go and finding myself again. I’m shedding the layers of expectation, of the “shoulds” and the numbers, and finally creating from a place of freedom. And that, in itself, feels pretty magical.

Stay creative, my friends,

📷 And finally…the week in 3

1. Leaves turning golden on Autumn walks

2. Grandma & grand-daughter share a giggle

3. Northern Lights magic, above Brighton
   

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