30-Day Instagram Challenge: Your Favorite Pics and Lessons Learned

Thirty days of uploading, tagging, and posting have taught me a few key lessons. The first (and perhaps most obvious) is daily 'gramming takes A LOT of discipline, at least, more than I expected. Unlike other platforms, there is no "set-it-and-forget-it" option on Instagram. My little fingers did the walking with each post in real time. And, although this could be inconvenient on occasion, I definitely felt more engaged and, here it goes,...more social.

@hellosukio: It’s all about the stools! Design by Rees Roberts + Partners #modernglamour #interiors

@hellosukio: By one of my favorite local designers, Lori Graham #shoutout #interiors #modernglamour

@hellosukio: Desk couture by you know who #modernglamour #interiors

The second lesson: Curated feeds are the key to enjoying any social media platform. Follow too many folks and it becomes an overwhelmingly endless stream of visual noise. With Instagram, I plan to keep my numbers small so I can actually see what people are trying to share, and if I don't like it, I'm unfollowing. Harsh, I know.

@hellosukio: Foyer by Steven Gambrel via Elle Decor #modernglamour #interiors

@hellosukio: This is quickly becoming the web’s favorite bedroom. Image: Tamara Magel #love #modernglamour

@hellosukio: More Kelly just cuz #modernglamour #interiors

Final lesson: Stats ruin the magic. If you solely focus on audience engagement, content optimization, and all the other buzzy terms, it becomes less about expression and more about competition. I'm tired of numbers. I'm tired of rankings and social proof. And so, I've declared Instagram my "No Stat Zone." I'm just gonna post and see what happens.