The Unobstructed Observer

Your Bumpy, Blurry, Perfectly-Proportionate Next Chapter

Written by Derek MacDonald | January 12, 2026

It’s the beginning of January and I’m sitting on the edge of my bed, staring down at the phone in my hands. I’d purposefully not let myself lie down; this was to be quick. If only it were ever that simple.

Looking at the phone hurt and I hated it.

I’d downloaded Instagram. Again. I just needed to see how a campaign I’d helped with came out. You know, gauge how the message came together, check how it landed. Super quick. Log in, log out. I even tried to skip the lure of the feed by clicking straight to my profile.

I knew I shouldn’t scroll, but I did.

What I found made me sad.

Keep reading:

Your Bumpy, Blurry, Perfectly-Proportionate Next Chapter by Derek MacDonald

When Instagram causes an identity crisis.

Read on Substack

onward.