87 Comments
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Kat Cast's avatar

Hi Isis, I didn’t know your story, but all I could think about is the fact that you will do great things wherever you are. Your creativity, business acumen, intelligence and spirit sound like threads that just happened to be woven into Instagram, not made of it. As someone who’s shy away from Instagram myself because of the meanness, it’s refreshing to hear that success comes from the things that we do and not always where we are.

Isis Bradford's avatar

First off, are you a fellow writer?! Your words are seriously so beautiful and intentional.

Thank you, Kat, for seeing me so clearly and for naming that so perfectly. 🥹🙌🏾 I love how you put that, that these “threads were woven into Instagram but were never made of it.” That’s exactly how it’s felt recently.

And yes! success really does come from who we are and what we create, not just the platforms we occupy. Thank you for this encouragement and for sharing your own hesitation so honestly!!

Raegan Kelly's avatar

Isis, this was SO good. For years, I’ve struggled with showing up on socials in general for a multitude of reasons, with the biggest being comparison. I’ve been submitting this to the Lord and letting Him remind me of my identity.

Isis Bradford's avatar

Hi friend!! Thank you so much for sharing this! I completely relate to the struggle with comparison. It takes so much intentionality to stay rooted in your own identity and not get pulled into everyone else’s highlight reel. I love that you are submitting it to the Lord and letting Him remind you who you are!! (And it feels nice knowing I’m walking through a similar season with someone else! In this together!)

Allison Bonilla's avatar

I'm still on IG, but resonated with the moment you decided to NOT post. I have realized that I want to experience moments outside the small aperture of the camera lens. Sunrises are more beautiful when just experienced and not worrying about sharing it with others.

Isis Bradford's avatar

Absolutely!! You’re exactly right! I’ve still considered going back either from a private account or a new account… not sure if either of those will change my experience with the platform though!!

Allison Bonilla's avatar

If you end up back there be sure to follow me and I will do the same. https://www.instagram.com/allisonbcoaching/ I keep the pictures of nice meals and sunsets to a minimum. LOL

Tabitha Julien, PhD's avatar

Wow Isis… I had NO idea any of this was happening. I think I met you in 2021/2022. I don’t think it’s accidental that you posted this now.

There is a MASSIVE wave of God clearing out people that are the “takers” from the lives of myself AND many kingdom believers.

You were being prepared over the years. Because that same level of abundance & greater God is going to bless you with. You didn’t have the right people around you & you too needed to learn self-worth & identity.

God shut me down (similar to you) in 2023. Similar to you, I would give away my last to help others - without much thought of my needs. And that can’t happen where He’s taking us.

Wow. Even moreso reason why God brought us back together this year… I get it on a deeper level.

We’re gonna do things differently this time! God’s hand is on us even more. One step at a time. Love you sis!

Isis Bradford's avatar

Wow. Thank you for seeing me so clearly and for sharing your own journey with so much honesty. I truly believe timing is never accidental, and I agree that there has been a real deal pruning happening for so many of us!! Learning discernment, boundaries, and self‑worth has been some of the hardest but most necessary work of my life!!

It means A LOT to know we’re walking this next season with more intention and care for ourselves, one step at a time.

WE HAVE TO SET LIMITS BECAUSE TAKERS WONT! 🙌🏾

Love you too my sweet pea!.

Tee's avatar

I can very much understand feeling forced into a lane when social media! It's such a freeing and rewarding thing to be able to learn yourself without the constant scrutiny of others.

Isis Bradford's avatar

Yes, exactly! I was constantly performing instead of actually being 100% myself. Stepping away gave me space to remember who I am outside of the likes, the DMs, and the expectations everyone else had for me. It is freeing, scary, and so necessary all at once.

Blachaz3's avatar

Great read. Felt this lol. I contemplate leaving daily

Tracy G Hamilton's avatar

This was a great read and even more powerful because it is your truth.

Kathleen Raygoza's avatar

Thank you for sharing this. I’m in the throes right now of wondering what to keep doing, what to stop doing, and why. I’ve been praying through it and what you’ve shared is helpful. 💕

helena 🌹's avatar

i loved reading this, and felt so much similarity with you choosing to live your life for noone else and find your own voice again. Thanks for sharing <3

Ama B.'s avatar

currently on a video based social media cleanse (Instagram and Tik Tok) and it truly have pulled the veil from my eyes of my own misalignment. thank you for this!

Ashley Joy's avatar

Isis! I just thought of you the other day, and wondered, what ever happened to Isis? She was the original biz coach…scrolling Substack and saw this post. Wow. Timing is perfect! Great to see you’re doing well!

peakvanity's avatar

As someone who recently just got back on Instagram after a May year hiatus away for many reasons this made me horrified 😅 I’m really glad you did what was right for you. Choosing peace is so important

MEL's avatar

Dang! I’m not even a 1/3 way through and I feel like I’m on a Hero’s Journey! BRB

MEL's avatar

I was right you are the hero of your story - wow! 🔥But I wouldn’t expect less from a Panther! Thank you for the insight on winning at instagram and social media at the end of the first quarter of the century. Social media has changed so much from when I started at the beginning of the century (2000) We were kinder to each other but it wasn’t nearly as profitable yet. Although, I did get featured in Black Enterprise for selling my self-published novel through Xanga, Myspace and facebook 😂 Thank you for the inspiration!

Renew Full Circle Consulting's avatar

Hi Isis

Although I've had an Instagram account for quite some time,

it wasn't my main platform so this is my first time coming across you.

I love that it was through reading your story.

It's so heartelt.

So Purpose driven.

It really highlighted a lot of beliefs I have and reasons why I even do what I do.

I believe that so many business owners are building businesses

They Don't Love, performing.

Sumoly unaware that who they are will build something amazing if they're doing it from a space of alignment.

Before I completely finished reading what you wrote, I shared my thoughts on it with my audience.

The fact that you shared this has probably helped so many people who feel very similar to you.

I've worked with people who had tons of followers but could not convert clients and those who were exhausted by the way they had built their business.

I am grateful that you realize that you're going to build more authentically to your own vision and what feels great to you in this season.

Your business should support the lifestyle you want to create.

It should fund your life...not run it.

Writing definitely seems to be your thing I enjoyed reading your article.

Wishing you the best.

Tanya

Azrie'l Johnson's avatar

Wow, I remember following you yeeaarsss ago haha what a beautiful turn around from all that you experienced. Being in the throes of social media can definitely take you off your path subtly but quickly. There are always pros and cons so thank you for balancing the two. This was great to read as I've been working to figure out how to use my own Instagram

Ananda Leeke (she, hers)'s avatar

I don't