There’s an unspoken etiquette on Instagram, among creators. We live in a space of follows, likes, DMs, comments, and collaboration. It’s a dance of visibility and support, of shared energy. But occasionally, someone quietly steps out of rhythm.
They unfollow you.
That part is fine. Honestly, it’s completely okay. People evolve. Tastes change. Not every creative journey continues on the same path. But here’s where it gets murky: they unfollow you, but leave you following them.
That’s not just an oversight. That’s a choice.
And it’s one that speaks volumes.
It says: “I don’t want to see you anymore, but I’m okay with you still seeing me. Still supporting me. Still giving me your attention, your likes, your energy.”
And that’s where I draw the line.
If you unfollow me, the fair and respectful thing to do is remove me as a follower, too.
Not out of malice. Not out of spite. But out of integrity.
Because choosing to disengage while still allowing (and benefiting from) someone else’s engagement is not just unbalanced — it’s disingenuous. It turns the follow into a one-way mirror: you don’t want to connect, but you’ll accept the attention.
That isn’t respectful. That isn’t fair. That isn’t mutual.
I don’t want to follow people who don’t see me. And I don’t want to be someone’s invisible audience.
So here’s my boundary, and it comes from a place of clarity, not resentment:
If you unfollow me, let me go completely.
Click that button and remove me as a follower. Don’t leave the door half open and expect me to still wave from the hallway.
Digital spaces are messy. There’s a lot of nuances. But basic fairness shouldn’t be.
If you no longer want me in your space, then don’t keep me tethered to yours.
Let it be mutual. Let it be honest. Let it be clean.
That’s the kindest way to go.
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