Nostalgia down social media memory lane

I revisited some of the first accounts I ever followed online

Today I meandered Instagram memory lane.

The trip started unintentionally—I was simply “cleaning up” followers by looking at flagged and deactivated accounts. (Having recently learned this can help with engagement, and feeling stuck inside waiting to hear about freelance pitches on a bitingly cold afternoon, I figured why not.)

Then I decided to look at who I’m following for the first time in ages. I filtered the list by “date followed: earliest” and found myself plunged into the old days—possibly the golden days?—of my time online.

I’m still friends with several of the people behind these accounts. Some are close connections, fellow dog lovers I’ve now not only texted and video called but actually met in person. Others haven’t posted in years. (I never even realized some were gone.) The bulk are on the app from time to time like me—we exchange occasional well wishes but mostly pass each other by.

Seeing photos of dogs I used to check on daily and now hardly remember felt strange. Mostly it’s lovely to reflect: The visuals bring me right back to my early years with Scout and I realize how far we’ve come, how much better our life is today, how much joy we’ve been granted. Partly it’s also weird. Social media connections can feel so important and central and deep (sometimes they are) but can also fade without discernible cause or effect.

I know that’s normal. I still can’t help but shift a little uncomfortably as I scroll through this time portal. Have I done something wrong by drifting from some of these original accounts? Have they? Do they ever think of me? Ought I to think of them? Is it okay that the way I used to depend on quasi-strangers for sustenance is unrecognizable to my current self?

The answer to that last question is a resounding yes, of course. It’s healthy. I love my current community—and I don’t want to go back to the time where social media ate hours and hours and hours of life I could have given to Sean and Scout. But if I’m honest, maybe I miss those days a little, too. Maybe I didn’t realize that until just now.

“My relationship with Instagram” is a phrase I almost can’t type with a straight face anymore. I’ve spent much of 2024 thinking about how I use social media. Is it worthwhile? (Sometimes.) Do the precious genuine connections make up for the inevitable stress? (Yes.) Am I comfortable with how much the style and content of my sharing has changed—and can I give myself the freedom to keep adjusting over time? (To be determined.)

The girl who shared constant updates about her dog’s debilitating fear reactivity feels a universe away. If you were there for her and are still here now, I can’t tell you what that means. If you showed up later, I’m so glad you’re willing to share time with my words today. And if you used to be in my circle but we’ve faded from each other’s routines, I suppose you aren’t reading this—but I’m sending you warmth, and memory, and gratitude all the same.

Go play with your dog, if you’re able. 💛