Why I'm an Instagram Fan


For a long while, I didn't really get Intagram. It kind of annoyed me actually. All I could think was who wanted a bunch of pictures that look like they were taken in 1978? I mean I have actual pictures that WERE taken in 1978 and they are nothing special! So I joined and...meh. I wasn't so impressed. It seemed like the same things I was seeing on Facebook; lots of selfies in bathrooms and cars, drinks I wish I was drinking, toes in the pool, toes in the sand, toes in front the ocean, toes getting a pedicure, toes in cute new sandals...where did this American foot fetish come from, anyway? So I kind of gave up on it.

Then after hearing how people were all in love with Instagram and the young un's were flocking to it and abandoning Facebook, I had to give it another try. I will NOT get old and crusty dang it! I don't want to be like that person who still uses AOL on dial-up when the rest of the world is on wi-fi. (You can see how gracefully I'm accepting my age...) So I created a new account under my blog name, and started to follow other teachers and shebangitty-bang, I was in love. Just.like.that. Seriously. I became an Instagram Junkie overnight, I tell ya! I think I narrowed it down to a few reasons why...

This is the big 'no duh'. It's all pictures. Big pictures with cool effects and captions! It's quick and easy to scroll through and see what's going on with my friends. It comes up and refreshes instantly, unlike Facebook that kind of takes forever and a day to load on my phone. And once I'm on I don't have to make any decisions or look for anyone or read notifications, it's all right there waiting for me. There are notifications if someone new is following you or liked or commented on one of your pix, but they're quick and easy to scroll through. And if you don't click on them, the notification icon disappears in a few seconds so it's not in your way or sitting there mocking you because you haven't clicked it yet.
Well, at least not yet anyway. I'm not distracted by the miracle cure for every disease ever that can be found in a little bean from the rainforest. And I'm not haunted by forty-seven shoes in my sidebar because I looked up "flip-flops" once. My scrolling is not interrupted by what Dr. Oz thinks I should eat or the fact that I can earn my Masters degree from home in my pajamas in 48 hours. I do see some bloggers and tpt'ers teasing or promoting items or blog posts, and personally I'm cool with that because I'm on Instagram for that reason, to see what's going on in my bloggy friends' classrooms and I get a little peek into their "real" lives too. So if you follow me on Instagram, you'll get lots of shots of what's going on in school, classroom projects, a teaser every now and then about what's coming up on the blog or what I'm working on, mixed in with a little of my ridiculously low-key personal life. I'll spare you the pix of me blogging from the couch, but we do go to some cool places from time to time too. Like last week, for example...




When I'm wrong, I admit it. Usually. But not always. But this time I was wrong about the photo effects. There are so many cool apps that let you turn your pictures into little works of art. It's so much more than the filters that come with Instagram which, to me,  make your pictures look like you just found them in an old box in the garage. Personally, I'm loving Instacollage and Beautiful Mess right now.

Here's one of my biggies. On Facebook, if I like a company or joke or picture, it tells the whole wide world! I realize that "Denise likes Dove Chocolates" then "Denise likes Weight Watchers" are kind of contradictory, but whatev. I don't need everyone I know to know I'm a big, crazy mess who can't decide between chocolate and a lettuce leaf. It's also better that I don't know what some of my friends "like" either, if you know what I mean. The privacy settings seem to change every 15 seconds or so, so I can't even count on that keeping my secrets safe. During the election, I "liked' both candidates just so that I could see what both were saying. I didn't really like-like one of them, but Facebook told the whole world I did and that made for some interesting conversations at work! "You like HIM?? I can't believe it!" Womp. Womp.

This is probably my number one reason for loving Instagram. If I follow someone I actually get to SEE their stuff! Imagine that! Facebook has done some strange things with their algorithms and things so that even if you "liked" the page of a company, they won't necessarily show up in your feed! It kind of leaves people with a page for their business (like mine for SunnyDays) scrambling to keep people engaged with their page so you keep seeing them in your feed. Or worse yet, we are sometimes paying for posts to show up for you. Me no likey so much, so that's a big plus for Instagram right there. Everyone I'm following shows up no matter what.

I think one of the biggest reasons I became a convert is that for now at least, Instagram seems so much less commercial and personal. Like leaving New York City and moving to a quaint little New England town. It's more relaxed and calm. <--crap, maybe I am getting old. Also, focusing on following other teachers was a big factor for me. There are so many bloggers on Instagram, just check out their blog to see if they have a link or search them out once you're on. I've also found some by reading comments on pictures and then clicking on their name to follow. Be sure to check out #TeacherTalkTuesday too. It's a great linky started by Rachelle and Michelle. There are lots of other features, like picture challenges and the hashtag thing (both real and for fun) that could take up a whole 'nother post. But once you start playing around you just kind of get it.

If you're on, let's connect. You can find me here. I can't promise I won't ever take a "toe" picture though. I do have pretty good feet and it's a shame to keep them hidden from the world...







30 comments

  1. What a great post! You couldn't have said it any better! I was not a fan of instagram at first either. Now I just love it! It definitely is like a quaint New England town which I love! See you there!

    The Polished Teacher

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  2. I heart Instagram too. I think you nailed all the reasons why! Enjoy your Sunday :)

    Halle
    Across the Hall in 2nd Grade

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  3. Oh I so agree. I never did enter the Facebook craze but I'm loving Instagram!

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  4. First I'm cracking up! I thought THE SAME THING! Who wants to look at toes in sepia all day long? What is hashtag ANYWAY?? Lily (daughter age 10) tried to explain it to me and I still don't get it! I'm trying to love Instagram. I have to get myself used to snapping pics of everything so I have something to post. I'm getting there though!
    Gina
    Beach Sand and Lesson Plans

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  5. Thank you for this post! You took the words right out my mouth, and did it with such a sense of humor. I love your writing. I took my first foot picture yesterday-hah! Cute shoes, what can ya do? I am in love with the rainbow titles you used in your blog post, how did you make those?

    Jessica
    Covered in Glitter and Glue

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    1. Hi Jessica! That font is Janda Manatee Bubble and I actually just changed the color of each letter to make it stand out a little :)

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  6. I have an Instagram account, but don't use it much. Now after reading your post I'm going to have to explore it some more. Thanks for sharing!

    Erica
    Shepherd's Shining Stars

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  7. Ha! This post is hilarious and gave me a good Sunday morning laugh. You are such an engaging blog writer. Love it! Instagram is super fun and I just got hooked on #teachertalktuesdays. Beautiful Mess is my favorite app too. I also love PicTapGo (AMAZING photo editing) and Bokeful (you can add cute bokah hearts to your photos).

    Happy Sunday!
    She

    New Teaching Video: Mystery Book Foldables!
    Sprinkle Teaching Magic Blog
    May 2013 Favorites

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    Replies
    1. Oooh, I love bokah hearts! I'll check those out - thanks for the suggestions!

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  8. Well said, I am so in love with Instagram too, I am having a hard time not filling it up with my dogs! :)
    ~Fern

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  9. SERIOUSLY!!! I was nodding my head in agreement to every statement!!! I can't believe there was ever a time in my life when I said "meh, instragram is alright". LOL! I'm addicted and it feels so good! p.s. you freaking cracked me up with your "Denise likes Dove Chocolate" and "Denise likes Weight Watchers" bahahha!!!!!

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  10. Just discovered Instagram and love it ! Nice too since I don't have a blog.....just started to follow your Instagram...

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  11. Denise your blog is so cute! I think I'm going to join the team!! I'm your newest follower!!


    (( HUGS ))
    Tiffany

    One Fab Teacher

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  12. Denise
    I could have written this EXACT blog post! I love it! Like Gina, I needed my 12 year old to so some 'splaining to me (Said in my best Ricky Ricardo voice).
    Enjoy your week!
    Michele
    Coffee Cups and Lesson Plans

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  13. I am cracking up reading this post! I too was a little wary of Instagram...I'm going to check out the apps you mentioned in your post!
    Yolanda
    Oceans of First Grade Fun

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  14. This totally cracked me up and I was head nodding the entire time I was reading it!! (As in agreeing with every little word!) I'm loving Instagram now, too and must now make sure I am following you :)
    Elizabeth
    Fun in Room 4B

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  15. Question....if it says "someone is following you" does that mean they can see all my pics? Or do I have to click follow in order for them to see my pics?
    Patty

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    1. Hi Patty, I think if someone is following you, whatever you post will show up in their feed. I see you're finding the cool stuff on Instacollage! :)

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  17. Already posted my toe picture, hee, hee!! #teacheronvacation
    Jayne
    smartkidsgammons

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    1. Ha! Don't worry, I have one too and I'm sure it won't be my last! seriously, why are we all obsessed with feet? And duck faces??

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    2. I am! I did find where I could lock my pics so I think you have to be accepted by me in order to see them. . . does that make sense?
      Patty

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  18. I am cracking up right now.. You are hilarious!

    I think I have some toe pictures :X

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  19. LOVE me some Instagram, too!!!!! YAY!!!! GREAT post! and thanks for the shout out!

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  20. AND the toes comments!!! BWHAHAHAHA!

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  21. I soooo don't "get" instagram yet, but you're my inspiration to consider it... at some point. :-) I'm sharing this, to help others, but I don't really think MY selfies are needed in the mix! ;-)

    Mme Aiello @ Teaching FSL

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  22. I just created an Instagram account. I hope to get more familiar with it. I love your post. Now I must start following some of my new blogging friends. If anyone wants to follow me my account is under iamdiamondmom because I messed up using my blog name and had to delete it. I couldn't get the same one back. I still don't get the hashtag thing, but I see people putting it in front of their picture tags, so I did the same.
    Oh the things I have learned to do this year thanks to teachers: TpT, blogging, Facebook, Pinterest,and now Instagram. Thank you everyone for introducing me to this whole new world.

    Charlene/Diamond Mom
    Diamond Mom's Treasury

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  23. Great post! I'm right there with you. I just started my public account and I'm slowly learning the ropes.

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  24. This is a great post and I can also say that I am also a big fan of the instagram because I did the promotion of the my photograph by the use of the instagram and after that I am getting lots of modeling assignment and now I am very happy with the carrier success.....
    source:buy instagram followers

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  25. I recently came across your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment.
    instagram

    ReplyDelete

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