It's been a gradual thing that's gone too far.
My friend of 20 years runs a large cat Instagram page.
It's her passion. It's all she ever wants to talk about. She makes no money from it. She spends around 6 hours a day doing it.
This has been the situation for some years. She used to have a sense of irony about it. I've always figured it is her hobby. Tried to support her a bit but essentially try and have a relationship beyond the cat Instagram account.
In the last year or so (obviously Covid has affected us all) I have multiple times had her text me she is too busy to meet or chat, using work as an excuse.
Then it's clear she's been creating videos for the cat Instagram.
She is talented. The videos use music, lots of angles. They get thousands of likes.
I felt sad she was prioritising this over friends but more than anything, I think we should all be able to pursue our own happiness. She wasn't hurting anyone. Indeed thousands of people really enjoy the videos.
In the last week things have reached another level. She is an expat who hadnt visited the UK for 3 years (Covid). She is here butv rather than meeting any friends, she is visiting other cats...and videoing it.
The cats she is visiting are very famous in this strange world of Instagram.
I know she hopes to make money from this account. And I understand the visits will help.
But I think she is losing perspective.
She has always lived in a sort of fantasy world. Her creativity and hard work and optimism are wonderful.
I can't possibly say anything.
Do I just need to chill the eff out?
She's not a best friend...it's less the impact on me...than I really think she's losing touch with reality.
Or should I be cheering her on more?? She is successful.
I do appreciate this sounds nuts. Up till 12 months ago she would joke herself about it. I know her and her partner are on the verge of splitting. Do you think she is ok?