It’s been nearly two months since I disabled my Instagram. Not being on the gram has its upsides like better focus and more time. The downside is that you miss out on the trends. For instance I didn’t realize that the official start of spring is just a week away.
All the people with capsules have their spring capsule wardrobe organized and shared all over their social media. On the contrary, I’ve not had any time to think about it. Mostly because the weather in Amsterdam is still cold and stormy, but also because life has been busy. VERY busy.
It’s that time of the year when I’m finding myself attending too many work meetings, going to too many parties with friends, and participating in too many career events. I’ve not had many home-cooked meals or exercised regularly. Laundry seems to be piling up and I can’t remember when I last washed my makeup brushes.
I’m sharing this with you because work-life balance doesn’t always mean what we see and hear on social media. Balance isn’t always in the half hour of exercise, breakfast smoothie, forest walk, or homemade lunch. I’ve come to realize work-life balance is connected to our energy levels; and both a great workout and a solid client presentation are abundant sources of energy for me.
The idea is that work isn’t always depleting our energy levels and life isn’t always restoring them. I’ll let you read this McKinsey article to deliver my message.
Anyhow, hopefully I’ll give some shape to my spring capsule wardrobe by next weekend! If you want spring style inspiration, do check out my Pinterest board. I definitely want to incorporate more colors to my wardrobe. I’m thinking beige, blush, and orange. Green is also big this season, so I’ll have to evaluate my options once I take out the warm weather clothing box.
As for Instagram, I don’t know when I’ll be back on it. If I did return, I may not use the same strategy as before. I’d likely only create content that organically fits into my schedule and not follow any accounts (keeping up takes too much time!). I also no longer want to allocate time to take food and outfit photos and take on the added stress of making them look cohesive against each other in a grid. When I put these conditions on myself, I’m left wondering why even do Instagram! What do you think?
Before signing off, I’ll just bring your attention to my potential spring uniform pictured above. A versatile loafer and trench paired with culottes and a plain top! Simple and if I do say so myself, chic!
That’s all for today! Hope you all enjoyed reading this more casual, chit-chat type of post. 🙂 Hopefully, HydraFacial review coming up next!
Nice post. Hopefully you will be back in Instagram some day.
Author
Thanks!
I love your sense of style, stylish comfy and classy. Instagram is hard work I must admit and I sometimes find myself thinking of shutting my account down.
Author
Thanks so much! 🙂
Completely agree with you! And I’m not sure if putting in that work is worth it for me.
Following your blog closely but miss your presence on the gram! Pls do consider coming back!
Author
Thanks for reading, Roshan! I’m thinking about it. 🙂
I left Instagram and Twitter at the end of January and even though I kind of do miss some of the content, I do not plan to go back. I read much more, I have so much more fun doing what I like and couldn`t find time for before. You might like to read Digital minimalism by Cal Newport. Came out in February. Also, the Jaron Lanier book Ten arguments for deleting your social media accounts. His style is a little annoying and he would like to sound much more deep and philosophical than his thinking really is, but learning more about the business model of social media was quite enough to not be tempted anymore.
Anyway, I prefer more blog content over Instagram:-).
Author
Hi Delphine! Thank you for the book recommendations and sharing your experience of going off social media. I’ve heard of Digital Minimalism definitely! Which of these two books was more helpful to you? I can start with that one!
I’m happy to hear you’re enjoying the extra time. That’s what I appreciate most as well. 🙂
Definitely Digital minimalism.
Author
Point noted! Thanks. 🙂
Hey Komal,
I am so happy to see that you are doing well and thriving 🙂 I was worried about you and wondering what happened. Trust me Instagram is just another social media tool to make you feel unsocial in my opinion.
I find getting away from it helps me as well/
Sending you love.
Bhavna
Just a girl from Mumbai
Author
Hey Bhavna!
It’s so good to hear from you. 🙂 Thank you for dropping by. I’ve been good, so nothing to worry about. Instagram began taking too much time that’s why I took a step back in January to focus on real priorities.
I hope you’re doing fabulously. I occasionally catch a sneak peek of your photos and writing from Noor’s Instagram. ❤️
Sending you love,
Komal
I am definitely missing your content on Instagram but I am happy you are drawing the lines where you want them to be. I am happy you are keeping the blog up and love to read it whenever you post something new, so thank you for that!
Also, how chic is your spring uniform?! Absolutely love it! ❤️
Sending you lots of love!!
Author
Thank you for sharing that with me! ❤️ I miss my Instagram community too and being able to share things more conveniently and quickly. I’m just happy to hear that you and some others still read the blog in the absence of Instagram content. 🙂
Haha, haven’t gotten a chance to wear the uniform with the weather being so gloomy again!
Always in awe of your poise and clarity. Definitely miss you on the gram but happy that you are doing what you love. <3
Author
Thanks so much for your kind words and reading here! Hope you’re doing well. ❤️
Dropping by to say I miss your posts. Hope things are going well and you are enjoying life!
Sending you lots of love ❤️
Author
It’s been a crazy few weeks at my end and my blog time always takes a hit when that happens! I’ll hopefully get to writing soon. Sending you love right back. ❤️
Omg! I miss you!
Author
Aw, thank you! Hope you and Zara are happy and healthy! 🙂
My instagram seems so bland now. I couldn’t find lifestyle blogger like u. Miss your presence on Instagram. Please please come back.
Author
Thanks, Rehman! That’s so sweet of you. I’ve been thinking about it, but as you’ll see in my latest post, lots of other things are taking priority. Hopefully soon though!!