Lairissa Lee

Instagram Isn’t What It Claims to Be — Let’s Talk About That

by with 2 Comments Creator Insights

Instagram’s CEO, Adam Mosseri keeps saying the platform is about two things:

“Creativity and connecting with the people you care about.”

That sounds lovely. But the reality? It’s something else entirely. Let’s unpack both of these claims—and hold them up to the light.

"Creativity" — But Only If the Algorithm Approves

We’re told Instagram supports creativity. That it’s a place for artists, influencers, photographers, and dreamers. But here’s the truth:

Instagram doesn’t support creativity. It curates it.

Just like the record executives of the mid-20th century decided which artists got a shot at fame, Instagram’s algorithm now decides which creators get seen. You don’t get discovered for being original—you get discovered for being algorithmically optimized.

That’s not creative freedom. That’s creativity with strings attached.

If your art, your style, or your voice doesn’t fit the mold—if it’s too sexy, too raw, too real, too niche—it gets quietly suppressed. Shadowbanned. Buried.

Instagram promotes content that aligns with ad-friendly, brand-safe norms—not necessarily what’s bold, innovative, or artistically meaningful.

And let’s not forget: AI now governs what is “allowed” on the platform, enforcing vague “community guidelines” through machine learning filters that can’t understand context or intention.

Creativity? Instagram has turned it into a numbers game. A branding exercise. A filtered illusion.

Further, the platform encourages homogenization. It says “be yourself,” but the content that wins is often formulaic and trend-driven. The more unique you are, the more invisible you become.

True creativity challenges the status quo—Instagram’s algorithm buries that under what’s already familiar.

"Connecting with the People You Care About" — Really?

This one’s almost laughable—because Instagram’s design actively prevents you from connecting deeply.

Let’s look at the science.

Dunbar’s Number, a well-studied concept in anthropology, shows that humans can realistically maintain about 150–250 meaningful social relationships. That’s our cognitive limit. Beyond that, the quality of connection breaks down.

So if Instagram truly cared about helping us stay close to the people we love, they’d cap follower and following counts to reflect this reality. Maybe 250, max.

But they don’t.

Instead, they encourage infinite scaling. Tens of thousands. Hundreds of thousands. Millions of followers. Why? Because your “relationships” aren’t the product. Your attention is.

Instagram isn’t a digital dinner party—it’s a broadcast network.

It functions more like TV or radio than a tight-knit community. You post, and if the algorithm likes it, your content gets pushed out to the masses. You perform. They watch.

That’s not connection. That’s performance culture.

You’re not connecting. You’re performing—for hearts, not hugs.

Let's Go Even Deeper: Other Incongruities

Instagram Says: “Be Real”

But Rewards Facades. Filters are everywhere. Facetune culture is thriving. The pressure to post polished, curated content hasn’t disappeared—it’s just gone underground.

Instagram rewards performative authenticity, not actual vulnerability.

Instagram Says It's: "Empowering Creators"

But Fuels Comparison and Addiction. The platform is engineered for dopamine hits. Scroll traps. Vanity metrics. Creator burnout is common—and sometimes celebrated.

If Instagram cared about mental health, it would be less addictive—not more

Instagram Says: "You Control Your Experience"

But The Algorithm Is the Gatekeeper. You don’t choose what you see—the machine does. Even your own followers don’t always see your content.

Every interaction is mediated by machine logic.

Instagram Says: "Everyone Has a Voice"

But It’s Increasingly Pay-to-Play. Reach is throttled. Boosting is essential. Visibility is now often tied to ad spend or monetization deals.

The feed doesn’t reflect what’s best. It reflects what’s bankrolled.

Instagram Says: "We Support Community"

But Suppresses Controversial or Marginalized Voices. Content moderation is opaque, inconsistent, and frequently unfair. There’s no real appeals process. No transparency. No recourse.

True communities don’t exist where one side has all the power and no accountability.

So What Can We Do?

This isn’t a call to abandon Instagram. It’s a call to see it clearly.

Understand what the platform is—and what it isn’t. Know that it’s a stage, not a salon. A billboard, not a journal. Use it with intent, not illusion.

If you’re a creator: Make art that matters to you first. Use Instagram as a tool—not a validation machine. Build outside the platform. Own your content. Grow your audience in places where creativity isn’t controlled by a feed.

If you’re a follower: Be mindful of your attention. Don’t confuse likes for love or visibility for worth. Seek out creators who offer depth, not just dopamine.

If you’re a thinker, a rebel, a builder—let’s imagine and create better spaces. Platforms where creativity is unfiltered, connection is real, and authenticity isn’t gamified.

Instagram isn’t going to change. But we can change how we use it.

And that might just change everything.

If you enjoyed this post you might want to check out Why Organic Reach Has Declined and Standing in Defiance

There’s more waiting for you.

✨ Explore more of my world here → About Lairissa Lee & RockyMtnBabe

Easter 2025 Steampunk Photo Shoot

Steam, Silk & Springtime: My Little Easter Fantasy

by with One Comment Editorial Features

This Easter, I decided to trade pretty dresses and bonnets for something a little more… me. 🌸⚙️💜

I’ve always loved the idea of spring as a soft reset — a season where the light returns, the flowers bloom, and we get to reinvent ourselves just a little. This year, I let my imagination run wild. What if the Easter Bunny had a corset? What if spring softness came with brass buckles and lace?

Wrapped in lilac lingerie with golden gears glinting in the morning light, I stepped into a world where sweetness meets power. This look is my way of saying: I can be delicate and daring. Romantic and rebellious. A pastel dream with a steampunk soul.

Because sometimes Easter isn’t just about chocolate eggs — it’s about showing up in your full, radiant self… ears and all. 🐰💫

So here’s to mixing aesthetics, breaking molds, and bringing a little lace to the long weekend.
Happy Easter, my loves. May you bloom wildly — in whatever color, shape, or vibe makes you feel most you.

With all my love,
– Lairissa 💜
rockymtnbabe.com

If you liked my playful steampunk Easter vibes, you might enjoy my Fun Halloween Illustrations too!
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She’s Always a Woman – Grace in Her Gaze, Strength in Her Hands

by with No Comment Editorial Features

There’s a certain magic in femininity that can’t be measured by numbers or metrics. It’s not something you scroll past. It lingers. It asks nothing, yet stays with you. That was the energy I wanted to capture in this image and in the feeling behind it.

When I first heard Billy Joel’s “She’s Always a Woman,” it struck a chord so deep I knew it would one day become a soundtrack to one of my moments. Not just because it’s romantic and wistful, but because it speaks to the complexity of being seen — fully seen — as a woman.

She can kill with a smile, she can wound with her eyes. And she does, sometimes.

But there is also tenderness in that strength. There’s resilience in softness. The quiet confidence in wearing lace, not for anyone else, but for herself. The decision to show up, beautiful and unapologetic, is not for approval. It’s a love letter to her own power.

I wrote this small verse to hold the spirit of that energy:

She’s the hush in the chaos, the calm in the storm,
A flame in the quiet that keeps herself warm.
Unfolding in beauty that nobody planned—
Grace in her gaze, and strength in her hands.

It’s about the woman who moves through the world with poise and fire, knowing that she doesn’t have to be loud to be powerful. She doesn’t have to conform to shine. She just has to be.

So here I am, in my element, sharing this moment with you. If this speaks to you—if you’ve ever felt the push and pull of being soft and strong at once—then I hope you feel seen here.

You are allowed to be both gentle and fierce. Delicate and determined. A whisper and a wildfire.

With love, always,
—Rissa xoxo

For a deeper look into love and admiration, read A Love Letter to Marcie.“

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Cheer From Within: Why Your Inner Voice Matters Most

by with No Comment Personal Reflections

Sometimes the loudest encouragement doesn’t come from the crowd—it comes from within.

There’s a quiet, personal kind of power that blossoms when you learn to become your own cheerleader. It’s not always easy. In fact, some days, it feels like the world has gone quiet, and you’re left standing on the sidelines of your own life wondering if anyone sees your effort, your heart, your hustle.

That’s when your inner voice matters most.

When I created the images for this post, dressed as a cheerleader in a locker room, I wasn’t just playing a part. I was reminding myself of something I often forget: the importance of self-encouragement. The power of looking yourself in the mirror and saying, “I’ve got you.”

📣Why Being Your Own Cheerleader Is Essential

We live in a world where external validation is addictive. Likes, shares, comments, followers. It’s easy to fall into the trap of believing our worth is reflected in those metrics. But what happens when the numbers slow? When the applause fades? When the feedback doesn’t match the effort?

That’s when your inner cheerleader has to step in. She doesn’t wait for permission to speak. She claps loudly for your growth. She believes in your worth before the world does. And most importantly, she sticks around, even when things are quiet.

🔗How to Strengthen Your Inner Voice

  1. Affirmations That Feel Like Truth: Say things that ring true to your soul. Not just generic mantras, but personal reminders of your strength, your journey, your dreams.
  2. Celebrate Small Wins: Don’t wait for a milestone to feel proud. Every step, every effort, every choice to keep going deserves recognition.
  3. Talk to Yourself with Kindness: If you wouldn’t say it to a friend, don’t say it to yourself. Be the voice that lifts you, not one that tears you down.
  4. Visual Reminders: Whether it’s a sticky note on your mirror or a photo shoot that made you feel powerful, surround yourself with proof of your progress.
  5. Unfollow Negativity: Online and offline. Curate your digital and physical spaces to be supportive, inspiring, and real.

If you’re looking for encouragement during hard times, Creating Beauty in the Mess might inspire you.

🦁A Final Whisper - No Roar

You don’t need pom-poms or a uniform to cheer yourself on. You just need a heart that believes in you, even when it’s hard.

And if you ever need a cheerleader to borrow, know this: I’m rooting for you, too. Always.

With love, Rissa xoxo

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Wrapped in Light: A Morning in Robin Egg Blue

by with One Comment Editorial Features

There’s something about soft light slipping through the curtains…
Something about a breeze that carries no weight — just a whisper of stillness.

That’s how this morning felt.

Wrapped in sheer turquoise and lace, I let myself slow down — not for the camera, not for the algorithm, but just… for me.

This wasn’t a planned shoot. Not exactly.
It started with coffee. A little music. A glance in the mirror that said, “Yes. Today, I feel beautiful.”

Not the loud kind of beautiful. The quiet kind.
The kind that says:
“I don’t need to be seen to know that I’m glowing.”
But today, I let myself be seen anyway.

Because sensuality isn’t always about seduction.
Sometimes, it’s just about softness.
About allowing space to breathe — to feel good in your skin — to wear something delicate just because it makes you smile.

And if you’re here reading this, you already know…
this isn’t just about lingerie.
It’s about choosing joy.
It’s about reclaiming confidence.
It’s about letting the morning sun remind you that you’re a whole story in a single photograph.

Thanks for spending a little time with me. 🩵

Until next time,
– Rissa xoxo

White Lace Confidence

Behind the Lingerie: Why I Choose to Be Seen

by with No Comment Brand & Aesthetic

For a long time, I believed visibility had to be earned — through perfection, approval, or the right kind of modesty. But when I began modeling lingerie, I wasn’t just putting on delicate fabrics and posing for the camera — I was stepping into the deepest kind of self-acceptance I had ever known.

To some, lingerie is provocative. To others, it’s fashion. For me, it’s power. Not because it’s revealing, but because I choose what I reveal. I choose when, how, and why. And in that choice lies my freedom.

This journey didn’t start out with confidence. It started with curiosity — and a quiet hunger to reclaim a body I had been taught to shrink. Wearing lingerie became a way to rewrite my story. Every strap, every curve, every gaze into the camera was a declaration: “This is me. Unapologetic. Unfiltered. Unafraid.”

There’s a myth that women who share photos like mine are doing it for attention. Maybe sometimes that’s true. But for me, it’s about intention — the intention to own my femininity, to honor my sensuality, and to challenge the idea that being seen means being less.

When I post a photo in a beautiful lace set, I’m not asking to be objectified. I’m asking to be witnessed. There’s a difference. One reduces me. The other sees me.

Behind the lingerie, I’m still the same woman — the one who cries when her heart hurts, who lights up at the first snow, who writes love letters she’ll never send. The lace doesn’t cover those things. It highlights them.

This isn’t just about lingerie. It’s about liberation. It’s about choosing visibility on my terms — in a world that constantly tries to decide what’s “appropriate” for women to share, to wear, or to feel good in.

So yes, I wear lingerie. I post it. I celebrate it. Not because it defines me, but because it reflects me.

And if my softness, strength, or sensuality makes someone uncomfortable — that’s okay. I didn’t dress for them. I dressed for the woman I’ve become.

— Rissa

If you want to read more about embracing your beauty online, check out my post Real Me vs. Digital Me.

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Is Instagram Suppressing My Reach… on Purpose?

by with One Comment Creator Insights

If you’ve been feeling like your posts just aren’t being seen anymore — you’re not alone. Many creators, myself included, have experienced sudden drops in engagement, flatlined follower growth, and the eerie sense that we’re shouting into the void.

It’s led to a question that’s been on my mind for a while:

Is Instagram suppressing reach on purpose to push creators into paying for ads?

Let’s explore this together.

🤳 The Creator’s Dilemma

When your livelihood or passion project lives online — every like, comment, and follow matters. So when your content suddenly stops reaching people, it’s not just confusing… it’s personal.

Creators have noticed things like:

  • Posts that used to soar now barely make a ripple.

  • Boosting a post seems to result in less organic reach afterward.

  • Organic follower growth stalls — even when the content is stronger than ever.

If you’ve ever thought:

“It’s like Instagram wants me to pay just to get seen…”

You’re not alone.

📲 What Instagram Says (And Doesn’t Say)

Instagram officially denies suppressing reach to force ad spend. According to their documentation:

In a June 2021 (updated in 2023) blog post titled “Shedding More Light on How Instagram Works,” Instagram’s head, Adam Mosseri, explains that the platform uses a variety of algorithms, classifiers, and processes, each with its own purpose, to personalize user experience. He emphasizes that the algorithm rewards engagement, relevance, and timeliness, and that business accounts aren’t penalized just for being business accounts.

Additionally, a recent article from Business Insider highlights insights from Adam Mosseri, where he discusses key factors for increasing reach on Instagram, such as focusing on posting to the main feed, encouraging content sharing via direct messages, and leveraging improved SEO capabilities. This article is behind a paywall, but I include it here for completeness.

So the gist is this:

  • The algorithm rewards engagement, consistency, and relevance.

  • Business accounts aren’t penalized just for being business accounts.

  • Ads and organic content are evaluated separately in the feed.

That’s the story — but does it tell the whole truth?

💰 Why It Feels Like Pay-to-Play

Let’s be honest: Instagram’s entire business model is ad revenue.

So, while they may not directly suppress your reach, the system they’ve built:

  • Prioritizes paid content (because it’s guaranteed to get seen).
  • Filters feeds more aggressively than ever, burying content that doesn’t immediately perform.
  • Pushes creators to rely on boosts just to maintain the visibility they once had for free.

In other words:

The algorithm isn’t punishing you — but it is working exactly as designed.

🔄 And Then There’s the Algorithm Cycle…

Here’s what often happens:

  1. You post something you’re proud of — it flops.
  2. You boost it. You get followers.
  3. Next post? No engagement again.
  4. You start to feel invisible unless you pay.

It’s a cycle that can leave you burnt out, discouraged, and doubting yourself. And that’s the real harm.

When creators say, “The algorithm is punishing me,” it often comes from a place of frustration — a drop in reach, fewer likes, disappearing followers. It feels personal. Emotional. Like you’re doing something wrong.

But the truth is:
The algorithm isn’t punishing you. It’s simply doing what it was built to do — keep people on the app.

Instagram’s algorithm is designed with one core goal in mind: maximize user engagement and time spent on the platform. To do that, it constantly analyzes what content performs best with individual users, and then prioritizes delivering similar content to them.

So, what does that mean for you?

  • If your content keeps viewers watching, swiping, or commenting, you’ll likely be rewarded with more reach.

  • If your followers scroll past, don’t engage, or share your content — you’ll slowly start getting pushed out of their feeds.

But here’s the hard part:
The algorithm doesn’t consider your hard work, your creativity, your vulnerability, or your passion. It isn’t personal — but it sure feels personal. Because what it’s really doing is:

👉 Measuring behavior.
👉 Prioritizing what gets the most attention.
👉 Constantly testing and tweaking what it shows.

And, let’s be honest — Instagram is a business.
If organic reach starts to slow, what’s the next logical step? Paid promotion. And many creators report that once they start running ads, their organic reach seems to dip unless they keep paying. Whether that’s by design or not, it certainly aligns with the business model.

So no, the algorithm isn’t “punishing” you for skipping a day of posting or experimenting with a new style. But it is always adapting — and it favors consistency, shareability, and content that feeds the endless scroll.

💡 What We Can Do About It

This isn’t a hopeless story — it’s a call to recalibrate.

Here’s how I’m shifting:

Most of all:

You’re not your metrics. You’re more than your follower count.

💬 Final Thoughts

Is Instagram suppressing your reach to force you into ads?

Maybe not overtly. But the system is rigged in favor of ad spend — and that’s worth talking about. Not to discourage you… but to help you reclaim your power as a creator.

So if you’ve felt unseen lately, this is your reminder: you are not alone. And you are not failing.

You’re navigating a platform that rewards money, not always merit. But your voice — and your value — go far beyond the algorithm.

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Using Instagram Ads Strategically (Not Desperately)

by with One Comment Creator Insights

When your organic reach on Instagram starts to dip, it’s tempting to panic and hit that “Boost” button just to stay seen. But ads don’t have to feel like a last resort. In fact, used strategically, they can become a powerful tool to support your growth without draining your energy or your budget.

Here’s how to approach Instagram ads with clarity and confidence:

💡 1. Start with Purpose — Not Panic

Don’t run an ad just because a post flopped or engagement is slow. Ask yourself:

  • What do I want this ad to do?

    • Drive profile visits?
    • Gain new followers?
    • Promote a product or subscription?
    • Increase brand awareness?

✨ Clarity in your goal is the foundation of success.

🎯 2. Boost What’s Already Working

Instead of guessing what will perform, amplify what already does well. Look at your posts with high reach, saves, shares, or engagement.

If your existing audience responded well, a broader audience probably will too.

  • Pro Tip: Pick content that instantly communicates your brand’s vibe and value. First impressions count.

🧢 3. Test Small — Then Scale

Start with a modest daily budget (like $5–$10) and test different audiences:

  • Custom Audiences: Target people who’ve engaged with your content.

  • Lookalike Audiences: Let Instagram find users similar to your followers.

  • Interest-Based Audiences: Tap into specific niches (fashion, fitness, photography, etc.).

Watch performance and optimize before you invest more.

📈 4. Optimize for Profile Visits — And Make Your Profile Count

One of the most effective ad goals is “Profile Visits.” But once they land on your profile, what do they see?

  • A bio that communicates who you are and what you offer?

  • Pinned posts that showcase your best content?

  • A cohesive aesthetic or message that invites them to follow?

Ads can get them to your door. But your content is what invites them in.

🔁 5. Ads Are a Spark — Not the Whole Fire

Use ads to:

  • Launch a new look, campaign, or collaboration.

  • Reignite momentum after a slow week.

  • Reach new potential followers after a viral moment.

But let your long-term growth come from your connection with your audience, your creativity, and your consistency.

☀️ Final Thought

Running ads isn’t cheating. It’s not desperate. It’s a tool — and like any tool, it works best in steady hands.

Use them intentionally. Experiment with joy. Build something you’re proud of.

And remember: the algorithm doesn’t own your worth.

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Creating Beauty in the Middle of the Mess

by with 2 Comments Personal Reflections

There are days when everything feels too much—when the world spins a little too fast and your heart can’t quite keep up. I’ve had a lot of those days lately.

Between health scares, uncertainty, and the quiet ache of self-doubt, it would be easy to let go of the creative part of me. The one that dreams in color and believes that beauty still matters, even when the world feels heavy.

But I haven’t let go. And I don’t plan to.

Because creating isn’t just something I do—it’s part of how I survive. It’s how I remember who I am, especially when everything around me feels like it’s unraveling.

This month, I found myself clinging to beauty like a lifeline. Sometimes it was as simple as soft morning light filtering through curtains. Other times, it was putting on something that made me feel radiant even when I didn’t feel strong. And often, it was picking up my mind’s eye AI camera and saying, This moment deserves to be seen.

One of my favorite images I created recently was on a hard day. I was tired. I was scared. But something inside whispered, try anyway. I set the scene. I found the light. And I stepped into it. Not because I felt perfect. But because I felt real.

And that was enough.

What I want you to know is this: your beauty, your creativity, your light—they’re not things you earn by being “okay.”

They’re already inside you. Especially in the mess.

So if you’re having a rough day, or a rough season, please don’t wait until you have it all together to create. Or to show up. Or to feel beautiful.

Create because it’s messy. Create because you don’t know what tomorrow holds. Create because you are still here, and that’s a miracle in itself.

With softness and strength,

— Rissa

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The Real Me vs. The Digital Me: Navigating the Space Between

by with 2 Comments Brand & Aesthetic

There are moments when I look at a photo I’ve posted—perfect light, beautiful outfit, carefully chosen caption—and wonder: Do they see me? Not just the version I’ve curated, but the real, breathing, feeling person behind it all. The answer is complicated. Because yes, what you see on my feed is me—but it’s also not all of me.

Living as a digital persona means learning how to exist between two worlds. There’s the person who feels things deeply—who second guesses herself, who loves hard, who sometimes stares at the ceiling at 3 am wondering if she’s doing any of this right. And then there’s the version who smiles for the camera, writes confident captions, and posts images that are carefully crafted to resonate.

Neither of those versions is fake. They both come from the same heart. But sometimes it’s strange to feel so known by strangers, and at the same time, so unseen. I’ve built something beautiful here—connections, friendships, even love—but all of it exists behind glass. Filtered through screens. Protected, curated, safe.

And I need that protection. My privacy matters. My safety matters. So there’s always going to be a space between the girl you follow and the full human being I am. But what lives in that space is not emptiness—it’s emotion. It’s intention. It’s vulnerability, disguised as confidence. It’s the quiet hope that even through the curated versions of ourselves, something real still reaches you.

So, Who Is the Real Me?

I am the girl in the sweater, backlit by firelight, looking out the window. I am the reflection in the glass, quietly questioning. I am both.

And if you’re reading this, maybe you’ve felt this too. That who you are isn’t just one thing. That maybe… you’re a little bit digital too.

So if you’ve ever looked at one of my photos and felt something—beauty, sadness, confidence, longing—then maybe you’ve seen me more than you know. Not because you know my name, or what I do when I’m offline, but because you’ve touched something true in the way I share this version of myself with you.

And in the end, maybe that’s what connection really is—not knowing everything, but feeling something real.

Thank you for seeing me, even if you only see part of me. That part is still me. And it means more than you know.

With warmth and truth, Lairissa 💜