24 hours from now, I want to remove my Instagram account. I am leaving, but felt it would be rude not to say goodbye 👋 I find that opening the Instagram app has a net negative effect on my motivation to invest the time and effort to make or build the things I believe are worthwhile. There's a shallowness that permeates the platform, and that I seem unable to completely block out. Long story short, the bad is now vastly outweighing the good, at least for me personally. That being said, the sewing community has been instrumental in my 'coming out' as a guy who likes sewing, and I feel a depth of gratitude towards all those of you who have made me welcome, and who allowed me to develop a side of me that feels so much more natural to me than the toxic masculinity that surrounded me throughout my youth and young adult life. I want to mention some people explicitly. Not because I only care about them, but because I feel they summarize nicely what I enjoyed most during my time here. Here we go: @threedresses Leila, your friendship means the world to me. We've drifted apart a bit, both occupied with our own adventures, but I will never forget the warm embrace you extended to this weirdo when I first peaked out of my closet. I'm proud of you for following your dreams, and I'm thankful for every laugh we shared ❤️ @portialawrie Portia, you have pretty much single-handedly put me on the map. Most of the people who will read this know me through you. Your enthusiasm and kindness has inspired me to do some of the things that come up most when people say "oh yeah, that guy from... " Thank you for giving me the opportunities you have, and all the best with your future endeavors 😘 @donurban_photography Don, at a time when the 'sewing is for girls' bullies could still hurt me, your made me feel that it was ok and safe to ignore them. I hope that perhaps someone will have felt safer because of me the way I felt safer because of you 🙏 To the rest of you jerks, I'm going to miss you. Google me if you want to keep in touch. If not, have a great time, be kind to others, and farewell. Love, Joost https://ift.tt/2LMLZDO