Instagram Growth Trap (series)

Let’s be honest, we all want to be seen. We all want to be heard. We all have a voice, and we want that voice to be known. Everyone will express themselves in some kind of way. Although self-expression may vary with culture, I believe the forms of self-expression remain the same regardless of age, gender, race, upbringing or social status. For example, everyone will express themselves through the clothes they wear, as they are a fundamental form of self-expression. No matter your age, gender, race, upbringing or social status, you have the ability to express yourself through your choice of style. Rachel Zoe once said, “Style is a way to say who you are without having to speak.”

Whatever your Instagram niche’ may be, you are here to express yourself. Am I right? Whether you’re a home decorator, mommy, blogger, stylist, photographer, foodie, professional shopper, influencer, etc., you are expressing yourself and giving a voice, through your Instagram, to what you love. As I often say, we were all created to be creative in some kind of way. Our ability to create is God-given and is a great expression of who we are. We are known as creatives.

I remember the first time I created my “masterpiece”. I felt like an artist who painted the perfect picture for the first time. It was late on a week night when suddenly I was inspired to create. I was decorating for Spring and knew I wanted to make a statement with my creation. My farmable was my canvas. We were in a rental house and spaces to decorate were very limited. I had already decided that I wanted to have a garden theme throughout my house for Spring. I began to grab terra-cotta pots I had been collecting, along with some faux flowers, candle sticks, bowls and anything else that would go. I started “painting” with different textures, shapes, sizes and colors. The more I played, the more creative I became. I began to watch as my masterpiece came together before my very eyes. It was exhilarating and encouraging to know that I was actually making something beautiful! I had a moment of clarity and accomplishment when I realized that I wasn’t just playing, I was creating. That was the night the revelation came to me that my decorating was not just a hobby, but also a creative outlet. And that it was ok to feel proud and take pleasure in my masterpiece. Decorating was now an art and my home had become my canvas.

That was also the night the Lord revealed to me that just as He decorated the skies with clouds by day and stars by night, the earth with mountains and the land with seas surrounding, so I was decorating a gift given to me by Him with the things I love. This brought Him great pleasure. I was beginning to tap into the potential He put within me. Little did I know, it would grow into something that would open doors of opportunity. Your gift will always make room for you. The possibilities are endless when you tap into your God-given potential.

My encouragement to you today is to create! Your creation is your self-expression. Your self-expression is your voice, and your voice is meant to be heard! Whether you have Instagram for fun or for business, express yourself. Do what you love. Try and fail. Try and succeed. It all matters. Because in everything you do, you are exercising a gift that is meant to be used.

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