Posting Problems + Being Single in Your Late 30's
And Story Questions/Answers
If you’re a content creator, you’ve likely been down this joyous rabbit hole before: you feel that you need to post something but you don’t know what, so you sit and scroll through IG or TikTok, looking for inspiration. And then…some influencer doing her makeup pops up on your screen telling you how to do exactly this.
“WELL THANK GOD,” you think to yourself, while she sits there looking pretty as a peach, effortlessly swiping her winged eyeliner onto her eyelid. They all say the same things, which means it MUST BE accurate, right? Pretty Princess Peach goes on to say some iteration of the following:
“Just show us a little behind the scenes!”
“Take us with you through your day!”
“WE WANT TO SEE THE PROCESS!!”
Now, I made fun of it in my most recent video on IG, because that’s what I do, but let me clear in that I don’t think this is "bad” advice at all. In fact, I think it can be great advice (and therefore great content) for some people.
I love seeing “BTS” stuff - sneak peeks into what people are doing with their business or their free time - it can be really interesting. But on the flipside, sometimes your day just really isn’t that exciting, or maybe you just don’t feel like sharing every little thing with the world. And I think it’s ok to say that!
It’s one thing if you’re “afraid” to share it because you think it’s boring - that comes down to a larger issue with confidence in posting what you want to post - that’s not what I’m talking about. And I will say if that’s your issue, don’t give into that fear! Your work is important. But if you’re just tired and don’t feel like documenting your every move, you shouldn’t feel obligated. That isn’t the only way to capture #relatablecontent.
Take me, for example. It felt different when I spent my time running to 5 restaurants in one day and recipe testing, but now, I’m doing more strategy, photography, and planning/execution for restaurants and chefs social media. This means I spend a lot of time at home, in Excel, on Canva, in Lightroom, and bouncing around the various social media platforms (for other people).
Could I show you guys some of that? Absolutely. And I do sometimes. You’ve seen me pushing my Lightroom Presets. Wink wink/cough cough. But when I’m busy, the last thing I’m thinking about is how to share that busy moment on Instagram. I’m just not thinking about it and I don’t think I should feel bad about it, nor should you.
Yesterday, I just didn’t have the time or energy to show anyone my half assed workout or my sad lunch. It really was very sad - I didn’t even like the greens. Swiss Chard in my salad? WTF was I thinking? But then my dinner was delicious, so I did indeed share a few stories about that. Shout out to Gardein Mandarin Chikn and Nature’s Promise 90 second rice for saving the day. Also let’s hear it for the Frywall, the must have silicone splatter guard for all your frying needs:
But I digress.
I would love to take you guys “behind the scenes” more, but I try to pick and choose those moments that feel relevant. I don’t like sharing every second of my life anymore, not to mention I find it physically taxing now (thanks wrist arthritis!) so I try to share the things that feel most authentic to me. Jumping on IG stories to show you guys every thought that pops into my head is not it. Not for me fam.
On a completely unrelated topic, I wrote this blog post last week after my birthday anxiety set in. A good brain dump is always my go-to for getting to the root of what the hell is bugging me, and it worked. Hint: it’s the inner belief that by my age, I “should be” married with kids by now.
Quick fun fact: I typed in “single late 30s” into a Google Search and you know what came up FIRST in the suggested topics aka “people also ask”?? This:
“Is being single at 35 normal?”
Jesus Christ. This is where we are in 2022??
After all the progressive moves we’ve made for women, it’s interesting to me that it’s still perceived as “sad” to be single after a certain age. When you’re young, they tell you “just be single and have fun! You have plenty of time!” then when you reach your 30’s, it becomes “awww you’re STILL single? Why?? Are you seeing anyone??”
Just a touch inconsistent.
Click here to read more about my feelings on this. It’s also not just my feelings and I know that, so if you liked it and resonate with it, please share it. That’s all I ask.
And for story questions from last week:
Yes, Spindrift makes Spiked Seltzer now, you can find it here on FreshDirect or I assume in stores.
The Birria tacos you see me posting all the time are from Birria Landia, a food truck in Queens and Williamsburg (and they now deliver via Postmates/UberEats).
The chicken cutlet sando I posted is from the bodega on Bedford Ave btwn 8th and 9th. It’s called Bedford Gourmet Food but it’s weird I never once paid attention to the name and I go there all the damn time.
That’s it for now. Til next time!