Skip to main content

Navigating Bookstagram - Stories & Tips From a Small(er?) Account - Inactivity



I'd like to use this post to discuss periods of inactivity on bookstagram, including what they are, how they happen, and what happens as a result of them, as well as a little story about our own, current state of inactivity.



Periods of inactivity. We all have them, right? Those days or maybe even weeks where you don't post anything. Whether it's because of a lack of time or inspiration, camera issues or personal issues, we all have them at some point. In fact, if you keep up with our bookstagram, you would know that we are actually in a state of inactivity right now.


A good amount of the time, periods of inactivity aren't planned. (Or at least that's the case with us.) They just happen because you're busy and don't have the time, or something sudden has happened. Sometimes, you just can't post one day and then the next, and so on and so on until, when you actually have the time to post, you're so "out of practice" that you simply choose to neglect your posting responsibilities. The thing is, these happen to everyone, and they're perfectly okay to have.

There are also the planned periods of inactivity. Periods of time when people know that they can't or will not post, due to similar issues with time, health, even motivation. And it's okay to take a break. Because bookstagram is supposed to be a community and a place where you can get something worthwhile out of your time and effort, and if you're not feeling good about what you're doing, then by all means, take a break.

...bookstagram is supposed to be a community and a place where you can get something worthwhile out of your time and effort, and if you're not feeling good about what you're doing, then by all means, take a break. 


However, there are some downsides to taking breaks, although I certainly wouldn't force yourself to continue just to avoid these effects.

As might be expected, you will lose some followers as more time passes without a post. Additionally, when you start posting again, you might notice that your posts aren't getting as much attention or engagement as they did prior to your bit of inactivity.

Of course, this is reasonable. I suppose it's just like trying to do something after not doing it for a while. It might take some time to get back to where you were, but you'll soon pick it up again and things will be just as they were before. They could even be better, if you now have whatever was lacking that caused you to be inactive. In the long run, your bookstagram experience will be better because you'll be happier and better prepared. You have to trust me when I say this, for we've been inactive multiple times.


As of July 3rd, we've been inactive on Instagram. It started out because we were unmotivated and unsure about our slight theme change, which we had started only a few days earlier. We didn't know where we were going with it and were confused as to how it was different from our old theme.

"We...don't really have any idea as to what sort of theme we would like to pursue," I wrote once on our Instagram story. "We had originally had one particular style in mind, but we soon realized that we were not very good at this style. I also wasn't very fond of it thought I tried to like it for Em."

Then, as I've explained a few times on our Instagram story, some personal issues have come up. Or, as I wrote on our story, "there's been some things going on lately."

Since we began our period of inactivity, we have lost around 15 followers. Losing 15 followers doesn't seem too bad when written like that, but when looking at the number in comparison to other periods of inactivity, I realize that it is worse than other times. (Before, we had only lost 10 followers maximum.)

However, I hope to get back into things soon. We have some new ideas, but just need to take some more pictures in order to execute these ideas.

Still, I recognize that taking breaks is okay. A lot of us do bookstagram on the side as something that's supposed to bring us joy and happiness. Therefore, it's not healthy nor right to force yourself along if you're not comfortable doing so. I think we need to remember that we all are human, and we won't always be perfect. ♡




Click here to read the next Navigating Bookstagram post, "Losing Followers (Story)", or check out the Navigating Bookstagram tag here.

Comments

This Month's Popular Posts

Quotes: The Nightingale

I realized that, over a year ago, I wrote a post called "Quotes: Audacity" , and that this post did really well (it's actually Reading is Inevitable's most read post!), and yet I never wrote another post of quotes from a book. I liked writing that post, too. I like sharing quotes I like from books. That's why I started doing it on our bookstagram page . So why did I never write another one of these "quote blog posts"? I don't know. But I intend to write at least another one. And that's why I'm here today. Well, there's that, and then there's also the amazing book that is The Nightingale.  If you've read some of my recent blog posts or have poked around a bit, you would know that exactly a month ago I published my book review on The Nightingale , in which I explained my love for it and why you should read it yourself. And while I actually have another post in the works on that book because it definitely deserves more than on...

5 Activities to do on a Reading Break

You can't read forever. Even I, an experienced reader, get aching eyes after reading for even an hour. If you are like me and sometimes end up reading for several hours, you may find yourself not feeling too well. Of course, you could be like my co-blogger, Em, who surprises me by not appearing to be bothered at all by reading for several hours. And if you are not affected, that is great, but I have always preferred not to finish a book in a single sitting. If you too get tired eyes or like to have a break, then be glad, for this post is completely dedicated to activities to do on these breaks!

August 2016 Reflection

Since the last day of August was this past Wednesday, that means that we are due for a monthly reflection! If you already know the drill, you can skip the following paragraph and move on, but if you don't know it or want a refresher, then go on a head. In these monthly reflections, I look back on the month for our blog, Reading is Inevitable, and our bookstagram (book + Instagram), @readingisinevitable . I also review the goals I had made the previous month. Then I write about what this month will be like for the blog and Instagram, as well as some goals for the upcoming month. The reason why I do these monthly reflections is so that I can see our growth and progress, and see what's working and what's not working. In these reflections, I make changes according to this. You, as a reader, can also see our growth, and get a sneak peek at what is to come. With that, I hope you enjoy this monthly reflection. I believe that August was a very good month for Reading is Inev...

Book Review: On Writing

Title: On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft Author: Stephen King Genre: Nonfiction Rating: 4/5 Reviewer: Julia Personally, I've never read any of Stephen King's fiction works, titles such as The Shining or Carrie . However, I am a fan of writing and am interested in writing little stories myself, so I thought, "Hey! Reading a book on writing by a bestselling author might just be a good idea." I was actually motivated to fulfill this notion of mine by the amazing Brittany of @bookbarrreview on Instagram, who said to me, "If you like writing, or you're just interested in how stories are created, it's definitely worth a read!"   --Brittany, Book Barre Review Blog and @bookbarreview (Instagram) On that great description courtesy of Brittany, let's get this review started!