I took the Instagram app off my phone yesterday. I didn’t delete my account, but I did decide to take a real break. It’s been a long time coming, I suppose. Instagram hasn’t made me feel good about anything in a long time. In fact, for a long time, I envied people who lived without it. For a long time, I’d toyed with leaving but hadn’t, for a multitude of reasons both personal and professional. The final straw, I suppose, has been experiencing the horror show of social media for the past month since the Hamas attacks on October 7th. I couldn’t take it anymore.
This was beautiful, thank you. I too am thinking about how to step away from certain places on the internet right now. So very sorry for the loss of your friend.
Thank you for writing this evocative cross-section of our world and experiences today and illustrating how important it is to continue to create safety and love for those around us as best we can.
So beautiful and I'm so sorry for your loss. Thank you for the reminder to savour the little moments with my children even when times can be maddening. I took Instagram off my phone a few months ago as well and it has really helped my mental health. Mind yourself!
This is beautiful and how heartbreaking for Aubrie and her husband and daughter.
I feel the same about Instagram and stay on for work, although for what it's worth, your account was one of the places where it felt good. Thank you for that. The last month after the attacks has made it feel so awful again, incessant screaming and hatred and division.
We can’t control the world but we can control what we say and do, so thank you Luisa for reminding us that love and safety are valuable things and often right at our fingertips.
staying off of social media is one of the healthiest things we can offer ourselves. i had read about aubrie from andrea nguyen's newsletter yesterday. so very very sad. thank you for your post, luisa.
So beautiful Luisa - thank you for this. I am so sorry for the loss of your friend. These days I cherish my hugs from my giant boy and cuddle my doggos if i wake in the night (as they routinely hog the bed) - I used to dislike the fact that they routinely push me and my husband to the edge of the bed but now I embrace their warmth and love listening to the older ones doggy snores if I wake in the dark.
I too deleted Instagram (and Facebook and twitter) from my phone for the same reason as you. It was an adjustment. Tomorrow I have my first post scheduled thay I wont be sharing on social media where music of my readers find me.
It's been so hard to process Aubrie's loss, and your words were a balm last week when I needed it. Sending big love. I'm less and less on Instagram (or anywhere online) so finding your words in my inbox is always a treat. x
This was beautiful, thank you. I too am thinking about how to step away from certain places on the internet right now. So very sorry for the loss of your friend.
Love you and this beautifully poignant essay/update x
Thank you for writing this evocative cross-section of our world and experiences today and illustrating how important it is to continue to create safety and love for those around us as best we can.
So beautiful and I'm so sorry for your loss. Thank you for the reminder to savour the little moments with my children even when times can be maddening. I took Instagram off my phone a few months ago as well and it has really helped my mental health. Mind yourself!
This is beautiful and how heartbreaking for Aubrie and her husband and daughter.
I feel the same about Instagram and stay on for work, although for what it's worth, your account was one of the places where it felt good. Thank you for that. The last month after the attacks has made it feel so awful again, incessant screaming and hatred and division.
We can’t control the world but we can control what we say and do, so thank you Luisa for reminding us that love and safety are valuable things and often right at our fingertips.
staying off of social media is one of the healthiest things we can offer ourselves. i had read about aubrie from andrea nguyen's newsletter yesterday. so very very sad. thank you for your post, luisa.
This was really beautiful and also so, so sad. I'm sorry for your loss.
So beautiful Luisa - thank you for this. I am so sorry for the loss of your friend. These days I cherish my hugs from my giant boy and cuddle my doggos if i wake in the night (as they routinely hog the bed) - I used to dislike the fact that they routinely push me and my husband to the edge of the bed but now I embrace their warmth and love listening to the older ones doggy snores if I wake in the dark.
Thank you for this thoughtful post, Luisa. I am so sorry for the loss of your friend. x
This is a lovely tribute to your friend.
I too deleted Instagram (and Facebook and twitter) from my phone for the same reason as you. It was an adjustment. Tomorrow I have my first post scheduled thay I wont be sharing on social media where music of my readers find me.
May her memory be a blessing
Andrea Nguyen also had such nice things to say about Aubrie. She must have been very special.
One of the significant reasons I have an Insta account is because I follow you there. 😢 💔
Thank you for the lovely tribute and update. Always a pleasure to read your words.
It's been so hard to process Aubrie's loss, and your words were a balm last week when I needed it. Sending big love. I'm less and less on Instagram (or anywhere online) so finding your words in my inbox is always a treat. x