Breaking Free from the Social Media Rat Race
Poets are constantly told they need to be visible, to hustle, to build a platform. Instagram, Twitter, Substack, TikTok—it never ends. The pressure to turn your creativity into content is relentless, and the algorithms are always watching, ready to bury your work if you’re not playing by their rules.
But here’s the secret: you don’t have to play the game. You can break free from the social media rat race and focus on what actually matters—your poetry. Here’s how.
1. Remember Why You Started Writing
You didn’t start writing to feed the algorithm. You didn’t start writing for likes, shares, or comments. You started because you had something to say, something to feel, something to figure out. Social media loves to distract you from that original spark.
Take a moment to reconnect with why you write. Let that be your focus—not how many people are watching.
2. Create on Your Own Terms
The rat race is all about speed: post often, stay relevant, keep the audience engaged. But real creativity doesn’t work that way. Poetry needs time, space, and freedom to grow.
Step back from the need to constantly produce and instead focus on creating when the words feel ready. Post when you want to, not because the algorithm says you should.
3. Quality Over Quantity
You don’t need to post every day to make an impact. A single, deeply meaningful post will resonate far more than a dozen forgettable ones. If you’re going to share your work, make it count.
Post your best poems. Share the stories behind them. Let your audience see the care and thought you put into your craft. Social media doesn’t have to be a treadmill—it can be a gallery.
4. Find Platforms That Work for You
Not all social media is created equal, and you don’t have to be on all of it. If Instagram feels draining but Substack feels inspiring, focus on Substack. If you hate Twitter but love the intimacy of a private newsletter, lean into that.
You’re not obligated to be everywhere. Choose platforms that feel like a natural extension of your creativity, not a chore.
5. Build Genuine Connections
Social media often reduces connection to numbers: followers, likes, comments. But real connection is about people. Instead of chasing numbers, focus on engaging with the readers and poets who genuinely care about your work.
Comment on their posts. Share their work. Build a community based on mutual respect and inspiration—not clout chasing.
6. Set Boundaries with Social Media
Social media is a tool, not your master. If it’s draining you, step away. Delete the apps from your phone. Set specific times to check in or post. Protect your creative energy at all costs.
The algorithm will still be there when you’re ready to return—but your mental health and creativity might not be if you don’t set boundaries now.
Final Thoughts
Breaking free from the social media rat race isn’t about disappearing completely. It’s about reclaiming your time, your energy, and your creativity. It’s about using social media as a tool to share your work, not letting it use you.
Poetry was never meant to be squeezed into a 24-hour posting cycle. It’s bigger, slower, deeper than that. So step off the treadmill. Write. Share when it feels right. And let your poetry speak for itself.