umm, the reason I started "following" you was for this exact reason--you aren't like the other boring, predicable influencers. please don't change, don't get nice, and don't go away. we need to find another way. you are too valuable!
I saw your book at Heath Ceramics the other day and was so proud to point it out and say "hey I own that book!" The engagement cycle is so real, and so damaging. Cheers to you for walking away when it was no longer serving you.
I will always follow whatever you do, *for the writing.* I have "Diasporican." Have I ever made a recipe? No. I have the spices. I throw them in things that "need something."
But I started following you because of your writing, and that is where I will continue to follow you. I support your expertise in your knowledge area, but it's your opinions, your humor, and your writing that I love.
I think I'll try and post the drives on my personal account. That way it's easier to manage and only y'all will have access to my personal account. I still want to engage with SOME of you. LOL! https://www.instagram.com/illymaisonet/
I love developing recipes and photographing them which I consider content creation but I feel ridiculous creating these videos that I’m somehow supposed to star in as some sort of personality so I’m with you on all of this. Let people excel at the thing they are good at instead of making them fit into some sort of celebrity driven box.
"...creating these videos that I’m somehow supposed to star in as some sort of personality..." EXACTLY! I never thought of it like that until now. I don't mind developing recipes, writing them and posting a photo in the newsletter for others to recreate. It's something I enjoy because it feels like it's the only proof that people are actually tapped in. But, the videos. THE VIDEOS!!!! (shakes her fists in the air). I'm not a personality. I'm a face for radio. LOL!
Never, ever think of yourself as a failure, and never forget that you ARE a creator. You may not paint within the lines of a system that only further tries to squeeze infinitesimally more drops of blood from every stone they squeeze, and fucking good for you. You have boundaries, and you know your worth. That is valuable, even if you can’t always take it to the bank.
I used to be a successful social media manager for several institutions and companies. However, I decided to pivot as soon as I realized the industry was moving away from creating community to being the star of the show as an influencer. I didn’t want to put my private life out there on display. You’ll move onto better pastures.
What did you pivot to? I used to be a social media manager for a SF based company, but they let me go in March of 2020. And you're right...the way we engaged was VERY different than how engagement feels now.
Meh. Being a content creator is annoying as hell, and I support writers and illustrators just doing their thing. I left Instagram for six months, came back and deleted it again last week. It's too much input (and not the positive or encouraging kind).
i sat for a bit after reading and wondered what is there that i could say to add to what you've, once again, expressed so perfectly and i couldn't come up with anything extra special but i will share a quote that i have saved on a sticky note. Maybe it's relatable and somewhat near on topic. It's from Rick Rubin's book The Creative Act: A Way of Being that continues to stick out after numerous re-listens "However you frame yourself as an artist...the frame is too small"
I'm excited for what you have stewing in your stewpot...
All of this, 💯. I just deleted all of Duende District’s social media in June and am focusing on the newsletter. It’s saved me SO MUCH executive functioning. I have your cookbook on our Bookshop lists, but I’ll probably link to this post in my next store missive. ❤️🔥
Reading this reminded me why I followed you in all the places — the writing. You are 100% for real when you said, "Not all of you are writers." Looking forward to whatever you continue to post here. (Missing the drives!)
I always used to think I came for the food and stayed for the writing, but really, I think it’s always been the writing. Even so, one of the best parts of IG for me was you, and since I’ve been off for 6 months, selfishly I felt a little sad I didn’t get to see your updates. I’m really glad you do this newsletter and of course it always felt like the special place away from all the noise of social media. I get to savor these updates on my time, not the algorithm’s time. Glad to hear you’re doing what feels right to protect your creative gifts. And I am very excited for your new writing project 💕
Thank you for sharing what’s been going on for you. I’m so glad you’re still putting your writing out into the world in whatever way works best for you.
I appreciated your videos and the Sunday drives, but, as someone who built learning videos for a long time, I know how much work that is, especially for someone who isn’t a videographer/lighting/editor/etc. It’s a huge skill set to have to build up. Kudos for doing what you did.
I started reading your blog before there was Substack, and as long as I can find you, I’ll keep reading, even if it’s somewhere else after Substack! Take care of yourself and enjoy being yourself again! ❤️
umm, the reason I started "following" you was for this exact reason--you aren't like the other boring, predicable influencers. please don't change, don't get nice, and don't go away. we need to find another way. you are too valuable!
I don't think you have to worry about me becoming an "influencer." LMAO! I have a face for radio.
when I said don't get nice, I meant, to others! be nice to yourself <3
I saw your book at Heath Ceramics the other day and was so proud to point it out and say "hey I own that book!" The engagement cycle is so real, and so damaging. Cheers to you for walking away when it was no longer serving you.
Heath Ceramics, you say? That's cool. Had no idea. Also - I'm not sure if the engagement cycle ever served me. LOL!
Yes it was in their cookbook section at the store next door to Tartine Manufactory!
I will always follow whatever you do, *for the writing.* I have "Diasporican." Have I ever made a recipe? No. I have the spices. I throw them in things that "need something."
But I started following you because of your writing, and that is where I will continue to follow you. I support your expertise in your knowledge area, but it's your opinions, your humor, and your writing that I love.
I think I'll try and post the drives on my personal account. That way it's easier to manage and only y'all will have access to my personal account. I still want to engage with SOME of you. LOL! https://www.instagram.com/illymaisonet/
"The engagement is addictive and the withdrawals are real; FOMO, depression, jealousy, envy and anxiety."
whew, that part!!
BRUHHHHHHHHH! Where you been?! LOL!
lol in front of my phone, what do you mean?
I love developing recipes and photographing them which I consider content creation but I feel ridiculous creating these videos that I’m somehow supposed to star in as some sort of personality so I’m with you on all of this. Let people excel at the thing they are good at instead of making them fit into some sort of celebrity driven box.
"...creating these videos that I’m somehow supposed to star in as some sort of personality..." EXACTLY! I never thought of it like that until now. I don't mind developing recipes, writing them and posting a photo in the newsletter for others to recreate. It's something I enjoy because it feels like it's the only proof that people are actually tapped in. But, the videos. THE VIDEOS!!!! (shakes her fists in the air). I'm not a personality. I'm a face for radio. LOL!
Never, ever think of yourself as a failure, and never forget that you ARE a creator. You may not paint within the lines of a system that only further tries to squeeze infinitesimally more drops of blood from every stone they squeeze, and fucking good for you. You have boundaries, and you know your worth. That is valuable, even if you can’t always take it to the bank.
I used to be a successful social media manager for several institutions and companies. However, I decided to pivot as soon as I realized the industry was moving away from creating community to being the star of the show as an influencer. I didn’t want to put my private life out there on display. You’ll move onto better pastures.
What did you pivot to? I used to be a social media manager for a SF based company, but they let me go in March of 2020. And you're right...the way we engaged was VERY different than how engagement feels now.
Resonates! Thanks for the thoughtful, honest piece.
thank YOU!
Meh. Being a content creator is annoying as hell, and I support writers and illustrators just doing their thing. I left Instagram for six months, came back and deleted it again last week. It's too much input (and not the positive or encouraging kind).
You're the second person that has told me they've been deactivated for six months! Do you think you can make it to a year?
i sat for a bit after reading and wondered what is there that i could say to add to what you've, once again, expressed so perfectly and i couldn't come up with anything extra special but i will share a quote that i have saved on a sticky note. Maybe it's relatable and somewhat near on topic. It's from Rick Rubin's book The Creative Act: A Way of Being that continues to stick out after numerous re-listens "However you frame yourself as an artist...the frame is too small"
I'm excited for what you have stewing in your stewpot...
All of this, 💯. I just deleted all of Duende District’s social media in June and am focusing on the newsletter. It’s saved me SO MUCH executive functioning. I have your cookbook on our Bookshop lists, but I’ll probably link to this post in my next store missive. ❤️🔥
Reading this reminded me why I followed you in all the places — the writing. You are 100% for real when you said, "Not all of you are writers." Looking forward to whatever you continue to post here. (Missing the drives!)
You have always been a real one. I needed this piece!
💕💕💕
Whatever you choose to do, I will continue to support you.
OMG! I was just thinking of you the other day. I'm gonna send you a DM on here.
I always used to think I came for the food and stayed for the writing, but really, I think it’s always been the writing. Even so, one of the best parts of IG for me was you, and since I’ve been off for 6 months, selfishly I felt a little sad I didn’t get to see your updates. I’m really glad you do this newsletter and of course it always felt like the special place away from all the noise of social media. I get to savor these updates on my time, not the algorithm’s time. Glad to hear you’re doing what feels right to protect your creative gifts. And I am very excited for your new writing project 💕
Thank you for being here
Thank you for sharing what’s been going on for you. I’m so glad you’re still putting your writing out into the world in whatever way works best for you.
I appreciated your videos and the Sunday drives, but, as someone who built learning videos for a long time, I know how much work that is, especially for someone who isn’t a videographer/lighting/editor/etc. It’s a huge skill set to have to build up. Kudos for doing what you did.
I started reading your blog before there was Substack, and as long as I can find you, I’ll keep reading, even if it’s somewhere else after Substack! Take care of yourself and enjoy being yourself again! ❤️