My Insta-diction

Who knew a few simple filters could bring so much joy?

When it comes to wasting time on your phone, the options are seemingly endless. There is the old classic Facebook, always entertaining Twitter, new and very cool Flip Board, and the Hot-or-Not-esque Tinder. All of these have consumed at least part of my life lately, but not as much as Instagram. I have an Insta-diction.

Oh, Instagram how I love you, let me count the ways. First, it’s simple. You take a picture, make it look cool, and put it out there. Then you follow people, and with a little double click will “like” their photos. You can go off “liking” other peoples’ photos like it’s your job. Personally, I “like” as much as I can… why not spread the love?

Second, there are no advertisements. The newest version of the Facebook wall, for example, is getting a little ridiculous. I’m not one to get too upset about Facebook changes. We all get used to them. But the space they are allotting for ads now is a little crazy. It takes up a majority of your wall, which is rather annoying. Instagram doesn’t have ads in your feed. Instead, brands have their own Instagrams so you can choose to follow the ones you like.

Third, and here’s where I get super artsy on you – it has made me stop and notice little things in life that have potential to be super inspirational, but tend to get overlooked. Stopping to take a quick pic of a beautiful flower or hidden piece of street art is very fulfilling to my creativity needs. 

I also kind of have the perfect combination of jobs for awesome Instagram moments. I’m here at Dreamentia in the heart of Downtown L.A., and the stuff you find on the streets is priceless. As are the three pups we have running around the office. I’m also a preschool dance and yoga teacher. In case you’re not around kids that much, I’ll have you know some of their outfit choices are amazing. Plus, who doesn’t want to see a 4-year-old doing Warrior pose? I know I do.

And finally, or fourthly, the filters. I love me a great filter. Yes, I am a girl so having cute pics out there in Instagram-land is important, but the filters just take any shot to the next level. It’s so fun! It’s also fun to look at peoples’ profiles and see what their filter of choice is. Are they a black and white poster? A saturated color poster? You can learn a lot about a person from what filter they prefer. Okay, I just made that up, but it would be worth looking into. 

If you haven’t checked out Instagram yet I encourage you to give it a try. If you have, I encourage you to follow me @amyomernik. Selfless plugs are part of the deal here, by the way. Happy Instagramming!