I just want to say, Orlando, you are not crazy. People are assholes. At least people on the internet are. I, for one, love your honesty, your realness, your talent, your humor. I have a policy I wish more people would adopt. If I have a positive comment to make, I'll make it. If I have a negative reaction or disagree with something I just move on. No one needs the negativity. I believe people are emboldened to say things through a screen they would never say to someone's face. We all need to remember what our grandmas taught us. If it isn't nice, keep your mouth shut (or your fingers off the keys). Ignore the haters. They don't know you. I don't either, but I know your posts have lifted me on many occasions. I thank you for them.
Orlando, I've been following you for years and I'm sorry people have made you feel like shit. You're one of the few influencer types I bother to follow because you are so real and personable. I don't WANT you to struggle, but when you share you are it is SO much more relatable then the glossy BS being crammed down my throat on the 'gram. The Internet has become a damned if you do/damned if you don't kind of place so I would TRY to ignore the fucks that want to get in your way. I cannot even imagine the mental fortitude it takes to lead a public life. Stay strong, you've got at least a loyal supporter/reader over here for what it's worth. btw I've never ever commented or dm'd you before about anything but this felt worth responding to.
This is burnout, babe. I know it so well. Take care of yourself and don’t listen to anyone. No one knows anything and we all talk too damn much. I’m sorry you’re feeling this way but I know the best is yet to come. ❤️
Just came to say I support any way you choose to show up and share your insights. I think you’re right that the algorithms have definitely hidden the content I’ve wanted to consume. And the venom of anonymous comments is ridiculous.
I’ve never really understood why people follow someone and then say terrible things to or about them. The idea of hate watching or following never appealed to me. It definitely bites that the same place we can find community is the same place where a bunch of jerks make ignorant and awful hateful comments. I’m so glad this space has become an outlet for you.
Another great post. But my gosh, go with your gut on when and where to engage. If you were expecting to get trolled every time you said something publicly you would be standing on stage at a comedy club. I hope you're able to completely flush out the poopay from your mind and give yourself a time out until it feels right to use that platform again. It seems like you might be ready for or seeking a more mature and aligned audience, and your story and what you share has great value so I hope finding the aligned platforms gets easier and easier. Every time I read one of your posts I find gems in what and how you share your story. Two notes: I have a friend who just wrote a book (she found an editor to look at her content and give her feedback on structure and audience) and she's now a top seller on Amazon in just a few months. Also Seth Godin has these great interviews with Tim Ferris where he shares insight and concepts about how to keep moving towards your best audience (vs everyone) for what you have to share, and says even a small audience makes for a sustainable endeavor.
For what it’s worth, I think social media has become a horrible intersection of on the one hand, glossy content depicting perfectly curated lives designed to encourage viewers to spend more (money/time/mental energy) in a futile attempt to “keep up” and on the other hand, a harsh world of angry, hateful arseholes (why yes, I am from Australia, that’s why I spell that word like that) whose words are spewed forth without any thought or consideration whatsoever for the effect those words might have on their target. Cowardly, cruel and often, downright stupid. I have a social media account but I almost never post and rarely comment, probably because I’m afraid to buy into most of what goes on there. Agree with another commenter “if you haven’t got anything nice to say, just scroll on by”. Or as I like to say to people “just because you think it doesn’t mean you have to say it”. I enjoy your content but completely understand if you want/need to take a little (or even a long) break to look after yourself and your emotional wellbeing.
As others have said here, it blows my mind 🤯 that people are so vitriolic on social media. Like, what’s the point of saying nasty things to people you don’t even know? And weren’t they raised better than that? It saddens me to think there are that many hateful, angry people out there. So totally ignore those comments and the unhinged people who make them. Easier said than done, I realize. Random suggestion I thought of for Instagram content: refresh a room from a friend’s house and show us the before and after, and what changes you made. And of course feel free to ignore my unsolicited advice 🤣🫨😘. Keep being your fabulous self!
People are bizarrely mean on IG these days, probably because they can hide in anonymity. They'd NEVER say those comments to another's face quite frankly. For my own mental health, I've stopped reading the comments
Saying you appreciate being able to post in IG is like saying you appreciate being able to have chemo for your cancer. It's a mixed bag; it's life (career) restoring but it has side effects. When a patient is done with chemo, they know the cancer will return, but it just gets too much to deal with the side effects. If you're in that spot, we will still read you, but that won't help with the cancer (losing your career). Maybe you could hire a high schooler for a couple hours for $20 to skim your IG to check for business inquiries--do any of your friends have young siblings who want a brush with fame?
You are so articulate and transparent and honest. Dont read the haters and yes, eff Instagram, it's part of the mind control beast system, whose pressures on humanity will only intensify. I know you aren't a GOD guy, but I think deep inside, you are wondering if there is more to life than the vanity of culture and societal narratives. You are fierce, and brave, and honest and open and pull no punches exposing your vulnerability. True friends are rare. And dealing with the public sucks. You are loved. May the eyes of your understanding continue to be enlightened to the truth. Congratulations on your fitness achievements. You look marvelous, darling.
Does posting content on Instagram mean that you HAVE to allow comments and DMs?
Can you do your job (create content) but dampen the noise inputs? Are views and likes enough for now? Is the only way it look different is for you to avoid it entirely? Or, for right now (for as long as you need it) can you find a way to post that doesn’t invite input?
Can you limit who is able to contact you?
Can you use Focus modes to control how and when you see Notifications? Can you turn off Notifications period and engage with the app when you choose to?
Can you pick dedicated Instagram hours and leave it that?
Can you uninstall the app and only engage by laptop and compartmentalize when and how you engage?
Instagram has become a cesspool. It might actually be worse than Facebook now. At least on Facebook you know who the cuckoos are and you can just be like “shut up, Uncle Randy, and go back to your Fox News.” I swear most of the “people” on Instagram these days are Russian bots or wackadoos who are convinced that Taylor Swift is a political operative. Let’s start a new platform for non-crazies, we can call it “Truthier Social”. Or, actually, let’s not. Hopefully other, less gross revenue streams open up for creatives. Substack seems like a good start. In fact, I just convinced myself to become a paid subscriber - you’re one (tiny) step closer to freedom from the algorithm!
Hmmm.. I always enjoy reading your design and quality of life building journeys ~ the post modern era is sometimes impossible to navigate, and unnecessarily confusing and wastefully
political with no reason for its neg logic, at times. Designers should not be politicized. Maybe just focus on the craft, new clients, and creative teams, even small ones ~ with trusted others as the only baton worth passing on the field. Maybe change platforms and align with like minded clients. Your dedication and humility will pay off. Design over influence might break the ice for you as a focus, maybe.
I just want to say, Orlando, you are not crazy. People are assholes. At least people on the internet are. I, for one, love your honesty, your realness, your talent, your humor. I have a policy I wish more people would adopt. If I have a positive comment to make, I'll make it. If I have a negative reaction or disagree with something I just move on. No one needs the negativity. I believe people are emboldened to say things through a screen they would never say to someone's face. We all need to remember what our grandmas taught us. If it isn't nice, keep your mouth shut (or your fingers off the keys). Ignore the haters. They don't know you. I don't either, but I know your posts have lifted me on many occasions. I thank you for them.
Orlando, I've been following you for years and I'm sorry people have made you feel like shit. You're one of the few influencer types I bother to follow because you are so real and personable. I don't WANT you to struggle, but when you share you are it is SO much more relatable then the glossy BS being crammed down my throat on the 'gram. The Internet has become a damned if you do/damned if you don't kind of place so I would TRY to ignore the fucks that want to get in your way. I cannot even imagine the mental fortitude it takes to lead a public life. Stay strong, you've got at least a loyal supporter/reader over here for what it's worth. btw I've never ever commented or dm'd you before about anything but this felt worth responding to.
This is burnout, babe. I know it so well. Take care of yourself and don’t listen to anyone. No one knows anything and we all talk too damn much. I’m sorry you’re feeling this way but I know the best is yet to come. ❤️
Just came to say I support any way you choose to show up and share your insights. I think you’re right that the algorithms have definitely hidden the content I’ve wanted to consume. And the venom of anonymous comments is ridiculous.
I’ve never really understood why people follow someone and then say terrible things to or about them. The idea of hate watching or following never appealed to me. It definitely bites that the same place we can find community is the same place where a bunch of jerks make ignorant and awful hateful comments. I’m so glad this space has become an outlet for you.
I enjoy you. I enjoy following. I hate keyboard cowboys that just shoot at everything and everyone. Also…WOWZA!
Rockin’ Body…you worked hard for…inside and out. Applauding you.
Another great post. But my gosh, go with your gut on when and where to engage. If you were expecting to get trolled every time you said something publicly you would be standing on stage at a comedy club. I hope you're able to completely flush out the poopay from your mind and give yourself a time out until it feels right to use that platform again. It seems like you might be ready for or seeking a more mature and aligned audience, and your story and what you share has great value so I hope finding the aligned platforms gets easier and easier. Every time I read one of your posts I find gems in what and how you share your story. Two notes: I have a friend who just wrote a book (she found an editor to look at her content and give her feedback on structure and audience) and she's now a top seller on Amazon in just a few months. Also Seth Godin has these great interviews with Tim Ferris where he shares insight and concepts about how to keep moving towards your best audience (vs everyone) for what you have to share, and says even a small audience makes for a sustainable endeavor.
For what it’s worth, I think social media has become a horrible intersection of on the one hand, glossy content depicting perfectly curated lives designed to encourage viewers to spend more (money/time/mental energy) in a futile attempt to “keep up” and on the other hand, a harsh world of angry, hateful arseholes (why yes, I am from Australia, that’s why I spell that word like that) whose words are spewed forth without any thought or consideration whatsoever for the effect those words might have on their target. Cowardly, cruel and often, downright stupid. I have a social media account but I almost never post and rarely comment, probably because I’m afraid to buy into most of what goes on there. Agree with another commenter “if you haven’t got anything nice to say, just scroll on by”. Or as I like to say to people “just because you think it doesn’t mean you have to say it”. I enjoy your content but completely understand if you want/need to take a little (or even a long) break to look after yourself and your emotional wellbeing.
As others have said here, it blows my mind 🤯 that people are so vitriolic on social media. Like, what’s the point of saying nasty things to people you don’t even know? And weren’t they raised better than that? It saddens me to think there are that many hateful, angry people out there. So totally ignore those comments and the unhinged people who make them. Easier said than done, I realize. Random suggestion I thought of for Instagram content: refresh a room from a friend’s house and show us the before and after, and what changes you made. And of course feel free to ignore my unsolicited advice 🤣🫨😘. Keep being your fabulous self!
People are bizarrely mean on IG these days, probably because they can hide in anonymity. They'd NEVER say those comments to another's face quite frankly. For my own mental health, I've stopped reading the comments
Saying you appreciate being able to post in IG is like saying you appreciate being able to have chemo for your cancer. It's a mixed bag; it's life (career) restoring but it has side effects. When a patient is done with chemo, they know the cancer will return, but it just gets too much to deal with the side effects. If you're in that spot, we will still read you, but that won't help with the cancer (losing your career). Maybe you could hire a high schooler for a couple hours for $20 to skim your IG to check for business inquiries--do any of your friends have young siblings who want a brush with fame?
You are so articulate and transparent and honest. Dont read the haters and yes, eff Instagram, it's part of the mind control beast system, whose pressures on humanity will only intensify. I know you aren't a GOD guy, but I think deep inside, you are wondering if there is more to life than the vanity of culture and societal narratives. You are fierce, and brave, and honest and open and pull no punches exposing your vulnerability. True friends are rare. And dealing with the public sucks. You are loved. May the eyes of your understanding continue to be enlightened to the truth. Congratulations on your fitness achievements. You look marvelous, darling.
Does posting content on Instagram mean that you HAVE to allow comments and DMs?
Can you do your job (create content) but dampen the noise inputs? Are views and likes enough for now? Is the only way it look different is for you to avoid it entirely? Or, for right now (for as long as you need it) can you find a way to post that doesn’t invite input?
Can you limit who is able to contact you?
Can you use Focus modes to control how and when you see Notifications? Can you turn off Notifications period and engage with the app when you choose to?
Can you pick dedicated Instagram hours and leave it that?
Can you uninstall the app and only engage by laptop and compartmentalize when and how you engage?
Instagram has become a cesspool. It might actually be worse than Facebook now. At least on Facebook you know who the cuckoos are and you can just be like “shut up, Uncle Randy, and go back to your Fox News.” I swear most of the “people” on Instagram these days are Russian bots or wackadoos who are convinced that Taylor Swift is a political operative. Let’s start a new platform for non-crazies, we can call it “Truthier Social”. Or, actually, let’s not. Hopefully other, less gross revenue streams open up for creatives. Substack seems like a good start. In fact, I just convinced myself to become a paid subscriber - you’re one (tiny) step closer to freedom from the algorithm!
Hmmm.. I always enjoy reading your design and quality of life building journeys ~ the post modern era is sometimes impossible to navigate, and unnecessarily confusing and wastefully
political with no reason for its neg logic, at times. Designers should not be politicized. Maybe just focus on the craft, new clients, and creative teams, even small ones ~ with trusted others as the only baton worth passing on the field. Maybe change platforms and align with like minded clients. Your dedication and humility will pay off. Design over influence might break the ice for you as a focus, maybe.
I’m sure I’m being naive, but do you have to read any of the comments?