It's been on my mind for a while now, and I am wondering, where's all the 'Love' gone?

I'm talking about the 'Insta Love' that used to be spread around. 

7 years ago, I joined instagram. It was such a different platform than it is now. 

People were there because they loved it. They weren't paid or prompted to be anything other than genuine. Followers either liked it or they didn't. They followed or they did not, based only on what they enjoyed when using the platform. 

6 years ago (almost) I stated this brand. Many brands/accounts started up that year. 

I remember a few of the originals I 'met' in 2014 - 'Insta Brands' doing their thing, starting out in the unknown world of 'Insta Businesses' and giving it a red hot crack! 

Zilvi, Momk Baby, Vixsa, Dove & Dovelet, Beau Hudson, Cheeky Chickadee and From Zion are just some of the stickers and stayers - some of the ones that have 'made it through'!

This is the thing though, and I thought to blog about it, because I am not a natural blogger so I wanted to challenge myself here to actually get this down + out - that I don't wanna 'make it through' any more. I want to thrive.

I am keen to get my insta-mojo back. I want to act more + react more. 

When did we stop the 'love' on instagram? When did we lose our 'why' for using the platform and why did we stop engaging, commenting, encouraging and supporting one another - OR, is it just me?

Have you felt like this too? Have you stopped or pulled back on spending some quality time building others up on the platform? Are you a little tired or complacent when it comes to the gram? 

I am setting myself a challenge to use my insta-time wisely and get back to basics!

Here is what I'm going to do;

1. Comment on the posts I LOVE, decent comments to, like real ones, not just 'wow' or 'super cute' - but real, authentic comments that come from the heart - insta needs a little bit more heart! 

2. Share the love; shout out, share to stories, share images and spread the love of the brands and products I LOVE! I have already started a saved story 'Products we Love' and I am filling it with stuff we actually LOVE and use! I don't get paid to share this - I just share brands and products I truely like to use. 

3. Purchase and support the 'Shop Small' movement; I have been doing this for YEARS now - since I discovered the whole 'small brands' movement back in around 2009. I would much prefer to support a small biz. Sure - Kmart and other stores are there and I do/will shop there - but I am making sure to continue to intentionally choose small when I can. I also want to continue to support this movement and help others discover it where I can [watch this space - I've a few ideas]! 

So, what will you do? What can you do? What do you do? Share with us! Tell me what you want to contribute to this platform, and perhaps even what you want to get out of it too! 

It's always better to give than to receive, because the giving is in fact receiving when you get so much love out if it yourself! 

Chat soon, X Holly.