The Slippery Slope to Becoming an Influencer Part Two: Why I Got off the Ride

  1. Jessica C. says:

    Great post, and such admirable transparency! I have struggled with the same feelings about social media, content creating and the purpose of it all in my life. I have found in many ways that it is an idol, and rarely do people view it that way- whether they chose not to or are unaware. When you used the word ‘idolatry’ it really resonated with me and helped me identify what I’ve been feeling. It is so interesting how social media tends to be the validator for many, not God. And even Christians like myself, can fall into that trap. Thank you again for sharing this and part one! I actually realized I hadn’t seen you post in quite some time on IG and went to your page to be led here.

  2. Thank you for sharing your experience with social media and being an influencer. I finally restarted my business in November of last year and looked at those social media calendars, etc. and I felt burdened. Following what the world says I should do in order to be noticed, was too much for me. I wanted to share what God wanted me to share His way, not the world’s way. I do get how easy it is to get caught up in being followed and the need for validation. It doesn’t matter how old you are, at some point I believe God brings us all (at least women) face-to-face with our
    idols/addictions. It’s hard and it takes courage to let go. I applaud you for doing so and for being brave enough to share your journey.
    Please take good care of yourself and enjoy your peace!

  3. Jasmine says:

    Thank you for sharing this. I’ve taken long extended leaves of absence from social media, but never quite escape the fear of missing out and always end up coming back. Here’s to deep living outside of the 1×1 squares.

    • Jill says:

      FOMO is real! Even five months later, it’s still strange to be in a room full of people talking about their feeds and talking about tiktok trends with nothing to contribute. It’s a vulnerable thing to choose what can feel like exile on a very dramatic end, but the reward has been wonderful.

  4. Nat says:

    Thanks for sharing. Just a few days again I thought about you and realized you were missing from my feed. I searched and found your honest post. I often wonder about the longevity of ‘content creators’ and the ethics behind this powerful money machine. If you don’t mind sharing, how did the quick money fuel your drive for ‘more’ ? How money does an influencer really make?

    • Jill says:

      Hi, Nat! I often thought these questions too. Like any industry, the range in salaries makes it impossible to answer but I often find anyone who makes more money than they had before has a tendency to crave more of that thing and this industry is no different! It’s a much more public industry than something like a law firm or dentist’s office and also fairly new so there is certainly much more intrigue and mystery but at the end of the day, it is an incredibly lucrative business.

  5. Sarah says:

    I love this! Your integrity and the way you seem to listen to and obey the Holy Spirit are a few of the reasons you’ve been one of my favorites to follow for years. I found this so refreshing and encouraging!

  6. emily jones says:

    Jill, I love this journey you’ve been on. I deleted IG in January of this year and haven’t wanted to get it back. I connect in real life now, I no longer have anxiety about what I posted , how I said something or how I looked- because now the people that see and hear me KNOW me and love me anyways. It’s the most peace I’ve had in years, and I do not plan to go back. I adore Coffee+Crumbs podcast with you on it and that has been a wonderful addition to my life, while social media has been a wonderful subtraction. Keep the faith!

    • Jill says:

      Thank you so much, Emily!! It’s a strange thing, isn’t it? A place I never thought twice about using for years became the place consuming my thoughts and then has left my life completely. What a wild world.

  7. Nicolette says:

    This resonates with me so much even though I’m not and never have aspired to be an influencer. I have slowly unfollowed more and more influencers lately because of exactly what you said, when I see those free or gifted things, I don’t feel inspired, I feel envy/bitter/judgmental and sometimes even prideful that ‘at least I’m not desperately chasing fame’ which isn’t kind in spirit either. I have begun to take breaks from the app and be more picky with who and what I follow. I’m not quite ready to say goodbye because I love interacting with friends I don’t see often on there but I often wonder if the friendships I maintain through the app would be there if I left it. Would these same friends who respond to pictures of my family when I post call me to catch up in real life if they didn’t have a visual reminder that I exist? It’s sad to think of but one that makes the friendships that are actually true so much sweeter.

  8. Chelsea says:

    I am happy for you, Jill.

  9. Amy Grace Duncan says:

    Amen to all of this! I really appreciate you sharing your heart. Social media is SO tricky. I personally feel much better with less of it in my life, but I also struggle with the feeling of “why can’t I handle it?” Thanks for making me feel more normal!

  10. Alex Bray says:

    Wow, this is so powerful. Thank you for sharing your experience. You’re an incredible writer and communicator and I’m so happy for you that this change has already yielded such fruit. I look forward to your newsletter & blog anytime you’re graciously willing to share it. 💕

  11. Morgan says:

    This is so good, Jill, thank you for sharing so genuinely. I loved the words at the end: “ I have gone on trips without documenting them play-by-play in stories. I’ve celebrated birthdays and created things I’m proud of and laughed and cried without reporting it to anyone but the people in my arms. I’ve learned what it means to come face to face with idolatry and name it. My relationships are deeper, my friendships sweeter…”. I’ve never had more than 1k followers on insta, but deleted it in 2019 for the same heart struggle you described, and felt much of the relief and peace you described as well. Thank you for touching on this tricky topic.

  12. Wendy Myers says:

    Your timing and mine have synced. I unfollowed everyone that I don’t know personally on Instagram. I follow local businesses in my town as well. As a Christian, I’ve stopped following pastors I don’t know, with the exception of some BIPOC. Soul satisfying. Thanks for sharing your journey. ❤️

  13. […] important thing a blogger needed to call themselves successful.And so the game began. Read Part Two HEREThis is part one of a two part series surrounding why I’m currently off of social media, why I […]

  14. Alexis Anderson says:

    So appreciated reading this, love your heart for peace and the Truth!

  15. Joelle Reineke says:

    Beautiful post! You have a wonderful way with words and thank you for sharing your heart. I feel encouraged to delete social apps, not because they are bad, but because they are bad for me in my current season.

  16. Erin says:

    Thank you for sharing all of this, Jill! It really struck me that once you’d “made it” with the brand partnerships and free stuff, it didn’t feel how you thought- it’s like that with everything we want, isn’t it?! So glad to hear you are in a healthier place now.

  17. Natane says:

    Thank you for sharing this. It feels so on point with a podcast I’ve been listening to – Under the Influence by Jo Piazza.

    I’m thankful that you made the right choice for you and are filling your heart and cup with the things that make you feel joy.

  18. Lisa says:

    I really enjoyed your essay. Thank you so much for sharing.

  19. Carrie says:

    Thank you for your vulnerability and for your voice in this space. I found you through Coffee + Crumbs and I have absolutely loved you on their podcast.

    Echoing many of the other comments above, I have never been an influencer but I can absolutely resonate with so much of what you shared. I decided to step off of Instagram in January of this year and like you, I just haven’t been able to bring myself to go back. My life, my sense of self, and my days are so much happier without all of that noise and constant comparison. I definitely feel the FOMO and a few times this spring I’ve been tempted to download the app to share family photos, but even at the time, I knew what I was really searching for with posting was the affirmation and approval of others. Thank you for reminding me that this is NOT where my value lies.

    Thank you for the work you do. It impacts people in ways you can’t always see <3

  20. Rosalie says:

    I’ve never influenced a soul with my Instagram account and I STILL felt a lot of these things. I got rid of it on my birthday this year as an experiment and I don’t think I’ll go back, ever.

  21. Clarissa Unruh says:

    Thank you for sharing Jill. So interesting to look at the influencer lifestyle from this perspective. How am I not surprised? God bless you!

  22. Dianne Jago says:

    Hey, Jill!

    Deeply Rooted is moving spaces online and I’ve had to manually transfer every blog post over. (Ha! What a chore.) Anyways, I got to your blog post and when I clicked your link to see if your website is still active, I was inspired immediately by the new layout and design. And then I came across this two-part post.

    Thank you for taking the time to share all of this so transparently. It’s extremely helpful and affirming. Instagram used to be a place I enjoyed going to and it has become a place that feels less like a close-knit community and now it feels more like a strange and busy city. These posts resonated with me and I’m grateful you put the hard work to blog them. <3

    • Jill says:

      Hi, Diane!

      Thanks so much for these kind words. The “strange and busy city” resonates so much with me. I guess I moved to the suburbs! 😂

  23. […] The Slippery Slope to Becoming an Influencer Part Two: Why I Got off the Ride by Jill Atogwe: “And here, nearly five months after stepping away from Instagram and my career as an influencer, I can say I have a peace in my mind and spirit that I haven’t experienced in years. I have gone on trips without documenting them play-by-play in stories. I’ve celebrated birthdays and created things I’m proud of and laughed and cried without reporting it to anyone but the people in my arms. I’ve learned what it means to come face to face with idolatry and name it. My relationships are deeper, my friendships sweeter and my head feels more like Hans Zimmer than Metallica.” […]

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