#onmywalk
Do you ever get so immersed in something that everything else ceases to exist? I have a habit of hyperfocusing ️ on whatever I’m working on.
The past year I’ve spent writing my book ⌨️has been intense. but it wasn’t just writing ✍️—It’s all the other stuff I didn’t know I was going to have to do.
In my head I thought I could write 50K words & give it to someone who would clean it up & turn it into a book. Not even close!
I’ve worked with four editors—each helped me through a stage of my book journey. ️ My marketing & revisions editor, @what_chauncey, has done most of the heavy lifting. In addition to editing & advising he’s also been a wrangler & therapist. ⚕️ He knows so much. I’m starting to wonder how I’m going to carry on without him!
There have been many #sleeplessinseattle nights I think caused by doing things outside my comfort zone. Running a crowdfunding campaign felt like the worst, until the IG announcement about moving to video & shopping️ which threw me for a loop. Gotta thank @phillip.wilcox.author for restoring calm.
“Blogging on Instagram” is scheduled to be printed at the end of August. ️ I’m finalizing the cover & the interior layout right now. You guys inspired my book. Thank you all for your advice & for sharing your experiences with me.
I’ve been looking forward to free time, but learned I need to set up interviews ️ & develop an article series & other marketing activities. I didn’t know I’d have to do stuff like this. Sometimes I want to crawl under the covers.
And there’s more! I need to plan a book launch sometime in late September. I’d love some advice or ideas!
Have you planned a launch or opening event? Can you think of a fun activity venue or event that you’d enjoy if you could be here with me? I hope some of you can come, Covid permitting!
Thanks again for your help! Have a great weekend!
.
.
.
Photos: #onmywalk #sewardparkloop. #boatingseason on #lakewashington #parkbench #sewardpark #seattlesummer #firsttimeauthor #bloggingoninstagram
.
.
.
(at Seward Park)
https://www.instagram.com/p/CSQ5Ampr2UC/?utm_medium=tumblr
Post link
When it comes to the content you share here, do you “stay in your lane?” ️
Recently I tried mixing up my content and the results were not good.
When I don’t march to the beat of the algorithm, IG won’t surface my content to as many people.
I don’t know how it is for you, but it’s not just that certain photos are better — it’s more because they fit a certain photo category type that IG feels is suited to what people want to see. ️
But sometimes we don’t know what we want to see until we see it.
My tests haven’t been scientific, but they’ve shown what happens when I post anything other than nature photos and macros.
And it made me wonder if you’ve experienced the same thing?
I think the fear of losing likes and comments discourages some of us from shooting and sharing random, or “in the moment.”
Have you decided to switch from color to black and white or change from cityscapes to outdoor activities, or something different? What happened? Did the algorithm adjust?
Hiding “likes” was meant to encourage creators to be creative — to post whatever you want without worrying about engagement numbers. But it’s not that satisfying because IG can’t figure out what to do with you. ♀️
When I returned to sharing what Instagram wants me to share (flowers & nature), my numbers started to go up again.
Has your content been “pigeonholed,” or categorized by IG? ❓
Wishing you all safe and well
Photos: #succulentsgarden #succulentssaturday #succulentslove #succulentsofinsta #shadowhunters #shadowphotography #shadowsandlights #reflectionsinwater #reflectionshots #seattlesummer #onmywalk #onmywalktoday #stayinmylane #stayinyourlane
PS: Update with family — all is well. It’s a sad reason to come home, but our oldest son is coming back for the memorial service. We haven’t see him or our daughter-in-law @queenhorsfall since Christmas of 2018, and we can’t wait!
(at Madrona)
https://www.instagram.com/p/CRs1bDps_nn/?utm_medium=tumblr
Post link
Do you seek changes in your life, or does change happen to you?
The past few weeks have been rugged. On the heels of submitting my book manuscript, IG made announcements about turning the platform into a ️ “video and shopping” channel. ️ It threw me for a loop, and I had to quickly pivot and recover.
Today a family member passed away. It was anticipated, but even when we expect something like this, it sets a lot of things in motion including behaviors you don’t expect.h ⚙️
In thinking about uninvited changes, I found a resource. A book by M.J. Ryan called Adaptability: How to Survive Change You Didn’t Ask For. It talks about adaptability and how to master it. She made an important point: “Change isn’t the enemy—fear is.” When you stop to think of it that way, you realize it’s true.
She says there are four steps we can take to help us adapt in the future:
Acceptance
Expand your options
Taking action
Strengthen adaptability
It reminds me of a saying – there’s no use worrying about things you can’t change .
Do you ever think about how you impact others, and how your absence would affect them?
Wishing you all safe and peaceful weekends. ☮️
Photos: Taken last week when I was #onmywalktoday with my sister. #macroflowers #onmywalk #summercolors #summerflowers #pixelphotos #Seattlesummer #Seattleinthesummer #pixelphotography #macro_delight #Seattlegardens #seattleflowers
(at Madrona)
https://www.instagram.com/p/CRayWwXsu0q/?utm_medium=tumblr
Post link
Spring is finally here. As a kid I learned March 4th is the only date that is also a command. A lot of marching forth has been happening on the other side of the world. know we all hope & pray it will come to an end soon.️
Last Wednesday was a beautiful, sunny Seattle day . I was behind several cars at a stop light on my way to a meeting when suddenly I felt a jolt! It wasn’t like when a car creeps forward because you’ve taken your foot off the break—it was forceful.
No one was hurt but my car was damaged. I don’t know how many of you drive or have been in a car wreck, but I’ve had 3 accidents in 46 years—none were my fault. I couldn’t recall what to do except exchange insurance information. Then what? I called my agent & let her know what happened☎️. She told me to call the other company.
It’s a pain dealing with the aftermath of a collision. Though not my fault, I’ll be spending weeks dealing with it⏳. Also, insurance companies aren’t fun. Some of the people are nice, but it’s their job to spend as little time & money as possible. They don’t care if the car was in perfect condition. They’re inclined to repair it as cheaply as they can.
The driver’s agent sent me a link with specific instructions about how to take photos of the damage. I was wondering why I should do their work for them? Besides, I’d already taken my car to 2 shops, & one shot a dozen photos before writing up an estimate.
It’ll be weeks before I can get scheduled️. My car is drivable, so it could’ve been much worse. Articles say mechanics & car repair techs are in demand️ because more people are fixing their cars instead of buying new ones.
The young woman who hit my car wrote me a nice apology email. It was an unexpected gesture that I appreciated.
Have you ever been in a car accident, or caused one? If so, I hope no one was seriously injured.
As I always say to friend & loved ones as they depart, “Drive carefully!”
.
.
PHOTOS: #onmywalk #springflowers #daffodils #ornamentalkale #springblossoms #springinseattle #BMW2002 #classiccarsdaily #caraccident #carrepair #insurancecompany #worldpeace
.
. (at Midnight Motorsport)
https://www.instagram.com/p/Catws4-LNel/?utm_medium=tumblr
Post link
Slowly fade, I’m disappearing again by Tina Sosna
Via Flickr:
WebsiteShopInstagramYoutube
