#onmywalktoday

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)
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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)
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