I have two instagrams. One for my work/everyday and a private.

My private account is for my good friends only. It’s my safe space/people I know well.

People who know me from years ago have stumbled across it, I think the algorithm makes it comes up as suggested because it’s the same phone. They have tried following but I never feel comfortable as they don’t really know me or what’s happening in my life.

I’m quite a private person and don’t like posting really personal things on my public. I made that mistake years ago and my last breakup ended up going viral. I’ve learnt my lesson there. I got married last year and didn’t even post when I got married on my public account because cbf with the attention.

So having people who I haven’t seen or spoken to over the phone in over 5+ years try to invite themselves into my safe space isn’t really a nice time for me. I’d rather keep some elements of my life private, regardless of how basic that account is. I can post a photo of me and my friends from a wild night out for nostalgia sake without people running around saying I’ve lost it? Or post crass memes on my story without it affecting my business? Even political views!

I think there’s an expectation with people on Instagram to perform and to share everything to everyone and not have boundaries when it comes to sharing information to people.

They don’t owe you access to their page. Maybe they have secrets they don’t want you to know? Different political views? Who knows. Are you actually friends with the person? When was the last time you hung out? Or called them? Everyone uses social media for their own reasons so you just don’t know.

You could even maybe ask them what their views are?