Business owners, we gotta talk about the elephant in the room…

How’s your relationship with Instagram these days?

If that question made you cringe and shrink back a bit, I can promise you that you’re not alone.

I’ll be honest, marketing your business on Instagram can feel like a hot and cold relationship.

One second you’re filled with inspo and excited to create content, and the next, you’re frustrated with the algorithm and scrambling for last minute post ideas.

Maybe you get stuck in comparison mode or maybe you doom scroll for hours in the name of “market research.” Either way, Instagram stress is no joke.

There’s no denying the very real pressure we feel to succeed on Instagram, especially if it’s your primary marketing platform.

But we have to remember that Instagram is simply a TOOL.

It shouldn’t be running (or, dare I say, even ruining) your life.

You can use Instagram effectively in your business, while keeping your peace of mind- but you have to start with your mindset first.

When you approach Instagram with a healthier mindset, the panic and pressure you feel from the algorithm and all that doom scrolling can be reframed into meaningful action.

So let’s dive in!

3 mindset shifts to help you foster a more successful and (most importantly) more healthy relationship with Instagram!

Mindset Shift 1: Perfection vs. Progress

You know that feeling when you spend hours agonizing over the perfect caption or tweaking your feed to make it look flawless?

That's Instagram perfectionism at its finest.

But here's the thing – chasing perfection is exhausting and, honestly, not worth it. It can take a toll on your mental health and even slow down your business operations.

Instead of aiming for perfection, we need to shift our minds to PROGRESS.

The flawless aesthetic we’ve been conditioned to look for on Instagram feeds isn’t always attainable, and if we’re being honest, it’s not reality either. Perfection is a moving target, so if that’s the goal, you’ll never reach it.

Now don’t get me wrong, you know I love an aesthetic feed.

But does an aesthetic feed equate to actual progress in your marketing?

Every post that brings value, every comment you reply to, every meaningful connection you make – it's all progress, regardless of the lack of “perfectness” you might perceive.

Tip: This week, try to prioritize connecting with your audience on a deeper level instead of impressing them with the perfect graphic or caption.

Respond to a story that made you laugh, leave a meaningful comment on a fellow business owner’s post, or share an unfiltered look at the behind-the-scenes of your business.

All of these actions can encourage REAL progress in engaging your community instead of tripping over perfectionism.

Mindset Shift 2: Quality > Quantity

Raise your hand if you've ever felt the pressure to post daily on Instagram.

*Raises hand like there's an unwritten rule that says you need to become a content creation machine to stay relevant.*

But what’s better?

7 posts a week that don’t resonate with your audience and were cranked out with the help of AI?

Or 3 posts a week that create an authentic connection with your audience, provide loads of value, and actually *feel* like content you would proudly post?

The truth is, quality beats quantity every time.

When we prioritize quantity over quality, we lose sight of what’s really going to move the needle forward in our marketing efforts (Hello! Tiny callback to that progress > perfectionist mindset!).

There’s no rule that says you have to post 7 days a week. And while consistency is important, high frequency posting shouldn’t come at the expense of quality posting.

Tip: This week, instead of rushing to post just for the sake of it, take your time to create 3 pieces of content that will truly resonate with your audience.

Focus on delivering value rather than filling up your feed with mediocre posts.

Not only will this approach lead to more meaningful engagement, but it'll also save you from burnout in the long run!

Mindset Shift 3: Instagram is a Tool, Not Your Lifeline

It’s so easy to get caught up in the numbers game and start equating Instagram success with overall success.

But like I said at the beginning of this blog, Instagram is a TOOL, not your lifeline. We want to run our social media accounts, not have them run us or our businesses.

While I’m a true Instagram girlie at heart, treating Instagram like the lifeblood of your business can severely limit your marketing strategy, and not to mention, drive you absolutely insane.

Your worth as a business owner isn't determined by your follower count or likes.

Your success in business isn’t determined by Zuckerberg.

And while seeing results is important, we can’t let Instagram consume us.

Instead of treating Instagram like your lifeline, remember that it's merely a tool in the toolbelt – a means to an end. Just one piece of the marketing puzzle.

Tip: This week set boundaries with your social media use, and don't let it dictate your self-worth. Try limiting yourself to only 1 hour of Instagram a day or less if you feel up to it!

Focus on building meaningful relationships with your audience and using Instagram analytics as a guide, not a measure of your value.

Let’s recap…

Take a moment to reflect on your current relationship with Instagram. Are you stressing over perfection? Obsessing over quantity? Or letting Instagram define your worth?

Maybe it’s time to make a change in your mindset AND your strategy!

If you're feeling overwhelmed, let’s do an Instagram Audit together!

I can help relieve some of the IG pressure and give you more clarity in using it more effectively and easily. Trust me; your sanity will thank you.

Mindset Shifts for a Successful and Healthy Relationship with Instagram