Book Brew 152: Goodbye, Instagram: The Odds Were Not in Your Favor

Apparently the secret to engagement is… quitting.

“Clutter is costly. When you clutter your time and attention with too many devices, apps, and services, you’re reducing your capacity to do the things that matter most.” - Cal Newport

Back in August 2025, we made the decision to start paring down our engagement on certain social media platforms.  We had found ourselves spread a little too thinly.  And since we are really just two humans doing the things, posting and engaging across so many platforms wasn’t making much sense anymore.

The Great Platform Hunger Games

“May the odds be ever in your favor.”  - Effie Trinket

When we first started posting across the various platforms, we had a plan in mind, which was to see which one was actually useful for us and our business.  

We pitted them against each other in a Hunger Games fashion. 

Instagram, Threads, and Bluesky are the first tributes to perish.

The games are still in play, but I foresee a few more tributes about to perish soon.

Our Viral Goodbye Post (Because the Algorithm Is a Troll)

To pay homage to the fallen tribute of Instagram, I posted an announcement on 08/15/2025 that we were leaving the platform.  

The hilarious irony of it? It is the post (on that platform) that received the most views and the most engagement.  Go figure.

The Moral of This Ridiculous Story

“You have to decide what your highest priorities are and have the courage—pleasantly, smilingly, unapologetically—to say no to other things.” - Stephen Covey

I share this as a funny story, but also to point out that you never really know what things will work where.  Don’t be afraid to test things.  But also, once you have tested, don’t be afraid to walk away.

Ponder This

1. What platform gives you the least return on your effort?
2. Have you ever “quit” something and gotten more attention for leaving than for staying?
3. What would happen if you walked away from a space that wasn’t serving you?

Books/Newsletters

• The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People - Stephen Covey
• Digital Minimalism - Cal Newport