When you feel boxed in by your own brand

The brand vs the person

Tbh, I’ve been feeling a weird creative stagnation… not in general, but specifically on IG and Threads.

Ironically as someone who gives advice on not getting bored of your own brand, I sometimes look at Instagram and feel exactly that: bored.

Right now, it's actually is not my main lead gen platform, soooo that got me thinking about experimenting more.

Like changing the focus from posting for client attraction to just telling better stories/thought leadership?

What if I used it as a way to build community and learn from that community (like I do with this newsletter) and create from that, rather than a sales content machine?

quick note I would def not do this if IG was my main lead gen driver

I always have thoughts of burning it all down 🔥… obviously I won’t.

But I dream of a creative refresh, and maybe I’ll do that on my other account. Who knows? I’m currently thinking of every best and worst case scenario along with a strategy.

Think of it as a creative experiment. And because it’s an experiment, it means it doesn’t have to be permanent and nothing that can’t be undone if it doesn’t work out.

So, if you’ve ever felt boxed in by your brand, you’re not alone.

Sometimes the systems and rules we create to make things easier end up limiting us instead. 

A brand you're not excited about is usually from one of these reasons. You:

• Over-defined your niche. What once helped you stand out now feels too tight.

• Didn’t leave room for growth. Maybe it’s your aesthetic, tone, or content that’s making things feel repetitive.

• Don’t wanna confuse your audience. You trained them to expect a specific thing, and changing it feels weird.

• Are stuck in a different year. You evolved but your brand is the past you talking.

If any of this resonates, it might be time to give yourself some creative breathing room. 😮‍💨

Here’s what I’m reflecting on:

1. Instead of forcing yourself to stay on brand, asking What actually excites me right now?

2. Instead of treating IG like a girlboss machine, what about playing with a new format, storytelling, or visuals.

3. Instead of thinking you need a full rebrand, start with small creative experiments that feel fun again.

A lot of people build their brand based on what they think they’re supposed to do.

They create rules about what they can and can’t say, what fits their niche,until suddenly their brand starts feeling like something they have to maintain, not something they WANT to show up for.

If you don’t leave room for your own curiosity, it’s only a matter of time before it starts feeling worn out.

When you’re excited about what you’re creating, your audience will be too.

Try it:

Experiment with a small change this week. Try a new format. Say something you normally wouldn’t. Ignore one of your own rules and see what happens.

A small shift might be all you need to feel creative again.

What I’m Designing Lately

Some layout exploration for my capabilities deck - got some good feedback so far as I send this out to my dream clients and partners 😍

Work with me

• I’m working with a few brands right now to refresh their strategy and design, making sure they’re not just consistent but actually exciting to show up for. If your brand feels like it needs more creative breathing room so you open up more opportunities for yourself, hit reply and let’s chat or go to my page and see more.