The Hardest Decision I Made as a Creator (And Why I Don’t Regret It)

It’s no secret that Instagram looks a lot different from what it was just a few years ago.

What was once a platform for sharing beautiful photos and creative inspiration has turned into something that often feels more like a shopping mall than a creative space. Everywhere you look, it’s “shop this,” “link in bio,” “use my code,” or “tap to buy.” The scroll has become one long, curated commercial.

Instagram Has Changed — But I’m Still Here Blogging

Don’t get me wrong—I’m not against shopping. I love a good find just as much as you do. I’ve discovered some of my favorite items thanks to creators sharing their recommendations.

But what’s harder to find these days is the content that first made me fall in love with the platform: the creativity, the storytelling, the home tours, the DIY projects, the new recipes, and the honest moments that felt like a peek into someone’s real life, not their storefront.

If you’ve been on social media for a while, you may have noticed this shift too.

On this blog, I may sometimes use affiliate links, which means a small commission is earned if you purchase via the link. The price will be the same whether you use the affiliate link or go directly to the vendor’s website using a non-affiliate link.

When Instagram Became a Marketplace

There was a time when creators primarily used Instagram to connect. We shared what we were working on, offered helpful tips, and invited others into our process.

I used to spend hours crafting a tablescape, baking a new recipe, or trying out a new DIY project, and then I’d share it because I wanted to inspire.

Oh wait, I still do.

But the pressure on Instagram to monetize has never been higher.

A few years ago, affiliate marketing experienced a surge in popularity, particularly on Instagram. Overnight, creators who had been blogging for years saw an opportunity: promote products and earn a commission when someone buys through their link. It made sense. The income was steady, scalable, and honestly? Pretty substantial.

Many of my blogging friends took that leap. They stopped updating their blogs. Instead, they leaned hard into Instagram and other platforms, fully embracing affiliate links, storefronts, curated carousels, and sponsored posts.

And you know what? They’re doing well. Better than well. They’re thriving. And I’m genuinely happy for them.

But I made a different choice.

Why I Didn’t Quit Blogging

I thought about it. Like really hard. The numbers were hard to ignore. But every time I considered pivoting away from my blog, something held me back.

I love blogging.

I love the process of photographing a finished room after days of decorating. I love writing about the behind-the-scenes of a dinner party. I love sharing the journey of learning something new, like how to make sourdough bread or how to use air-dry clay. I love walking you through the “how” and not just showing you the “what.”

For me, blogging is about creating something lasting. A post I write today might still be helping someone a year from now.

Instagram is quick. It’s fleeting. Posts disappear into the feed within hours. But a blog post? That’s something that can live on and continue to serve, inspire, and connect. And that means everything to me.

So I stayed.

I Still Share Links and Here’s Why

Now, let me be honest. I do use affiliate links. You’ll find them in most of my blog posts, especially when I’m sharing a product I used in a room makeover, a kitchen tool I rely on, or a craft supply I recommend.

If I mention a great Amazon find, I’ll usually link it. But here’s the thing: I only link to things I actually love and most likely own and use.

Affiliate income is what allows me to keep blogging. That commission I earn when you click a link and make a purchase? It helps cover everything from web hosting to photography equipment, as well as the time it takes to test a new recipe or write a step-by-step tutorial. It means I can continue sharing everything with you… for free.

It doesn’t cost you anything extra when you click those links, but it means the world to me. Every time you tap one of my affiliate links and make a purchase, you’re helping support this blog. You’re telling me, “I value what you create. Keep going.”

And I can’t thank you enough for that.

The Disappearing Blogger

What worries me is how many bloggers have slowly disappeared. Talented writers, decorators, bakers, and DIY enthusiasts I once admired now only appear in my feed to post sponsored content or promote a new collection. Their websites sit dormant, their creativity compressed into 15-second Reels, optimized for engagement and algorithm approval.

And who can blame them?

The pressure to grow, to monetize, to produce content that “performs” has never been greater. The truth is, it’s hard to pour hours into writing a blog post when an Instagram story can earn more in 30 seconds than a blog post does in a week.

I get it. I’ve felt that pull, too.

But here’s what I’ve learned: fulfillment isn’t always in the numbers. It’s in the emails I get from readers who tried a project and loved it. It’s in the comments from someone who made my peach burrata salad for a dinner party and got rave reviews. It’s in the photos you send me of your own homes, your crafts, your sourdough loaves.

That kind of connection doesn’t come from a viral Reel. It comes from storytelling.

And that’s what blogging is.

What I Want You to Know

If you’ve ever clicked one of my links or shared one of my blog posts, thank you. Truly. Every tap, every share, every kind word keeps this little space on the internet alive.

I’m not going anywhere.

I’ll still be here, writing blog posts, experimenting in the kitchen, decorating my home, and sharing it all with you. You’ll still see me on Instagram, yes. But this blog? It’s my home base.

It’s where my heart is.

And yes, I’ll continue to share Amazon links and favorite finds when they make sense because that’s how I keep the lights on over here.

But I promise, I’ll never stop creating for the joy of it first. I’ll never stop sharing just because it doesn’t “sell.” I’ll never stop blogging, because this is where the magic happens.

The Future of Instagram… and Blogging

Who knows where Instagram is headed next? Maybe more shopping, maybe less. Maybe AI-generated everything. Perhaps even fewer original creators. But I do know one thing: there’s still room for people who create from the heart.

And I plan to be one of them.

I believe there’s still value in slowing down and sharing something meaningful, not just something clickable. There’s value in a well-written post, in a recipe you can trust, in a craft project that makes you feel proud when it’s done. There’s value in beautiful things made with intention.

And if you’re still reading this? You value that too.

So, thank you for being here. Thank you for supporting me, my blog, and this creative life I’ve built. I’ll keep showing up here, as long as you keep showing up too.

With gratitude,
Leslie

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