How To Get Your Old Instagram Name Back

This is a bit of a geeky slash techie post for all those who have permanently deleted their Instagram but had a change of heart and now want to get their old username back.

Previously this was NOT possible but I DID IT TONIGHT AND SO CAN YOU!

{ And if you're a regular reader who isn't interested in reading this post, before you click away, I'm now @LingOutLoud on social media so DO NOT BE ALARMED.  It is still me! }

So allow me to share my experience...

When I started this blog last year, I snapped up all my usernames @LingOutLoud on the social media outlets I use - Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, etc.

But I was already active on these social media outlets as @Xyling.

And I thought I could EASILY juggle 3 blogs/Youtube channels and 3 social media personas AS WELL AS be a full-time working mum and wife.  And have a social life.  HAHAHAHA!!!
Yes, please laugh with me.  I thought I was the Blogging Beyonce...!!!  Hahahaha!!! #thereisonlyonequeenBanditaintme

Anyway, everything escalated out of hand and I decided to delete all of my social media personas and just use one.

I started with Instagram and permanently deleted my @LingOutLoud account.  And I thought I would just convert @Xyling to @LingOutLoud for consistent branding { even though I was mainly posting beauty stuff on that account as I use it for my beauty blog }.

Well...

Instagram would not allow me to use my old username even though the account had been permanently deleted.

What I should have done was this - Change @LingOutLoud to another random username and then delete it.  This would free up that username for me to use.

I WAS GUTTED.

And I stewed on it for days!!!!  I am OCD with bloggie stuff.

Anyway, fast forward a few months...to tonight...

A voice in my head { it sounded like me so it was actually me...! } said I should try and change my @Xyling username to @LingOutLoud.  #iampsychic

It had never worked before.  I tried it MANY times beforehand.

But tonight it worked!!!

So I am guessing Instagram has changed its policy on using old usernames.

YESSSSSS!!!

If none of that made ANY sense to you, just follow these 4 easy step-by-step instructions on how to get your old Instagram username back :-

1.  Go to your Instagram

2.  Tap on Edit Profile to edit your profile

3.  Delete your current username and type in your old username that you want back

4.  Tap Finished to save

Now this will NOT work if your username has been snapped up by someone else!!!  Obvs, duh!

If this helped you, please LIKE it, SHARE it and PIN it.

How To Take Flat Lay Photos Like A Boss - 10 Tips

If you haven't noticed, flat lays are the new black!  Flat lays are a daily Instagram staple.

You can flat lay everything from your latte to your lipstick.

But not all flat lays are created equally - some are more yay and some are more nay!

If you want to learn to how to take flat lay photos like a boss, then read on for my 10 tips :-

1.  Lighting

This will help create a clear photo highlighting all the details.  Set up your flat lay near a big window where natural light will shine through and don't forget to position yourself to avoid lurking shadows in the photo.  Consider getting a white foam board to reflect the light.

2.  Background

Plain backgrounds work best as a bold backgrounds can drown out the items you are trying to highlight.  If you don't want to go for the same old solid white backgrounds, try using wallpaper, wooden floorboards, bed covers or your partner's bare back!  { << just joking and making sure you're paying attention! }

3.  Use Blu Tack
Tack down the items that have a tendency to roll away, e.g. lipstick

4.  Make it pretty

Use your common visualising senses here.  For example - don't have too many different colours in your flatlay

5.  Negative space

Don't be afraid of having negative space because sometimes less is more.  But then again, don't have your flat lay too bare because sometimes less is...erm...less!  Think of balance.

6.  Camera

Nowadays, smartphones can take great photos...but if you want to go one up, use an actual camera.  A lot of cameras these days are Wifi enabled which means you can snap the photo, send it to your email and then download onto your phone to upload onto Instagram.

7.  Props

Get prop happy to add a special touch to your photos, e.g. flowers, candles, inspirational quote prints, MacBook, magazines

8.  Steady hands

Nobody likes a blurry eyeball-hurting shot.  Hold your breath as you take the photo.  Or if you really want to be a pro-flatlayer, use a tripod and remote control.

9.  Practice makes perfect

Nobody is a flat-lay-born pro!  Just keep practising and take a number of shots till you get it right.

10.  Edit
Crop, change the angle, sharpen the image, brighten up the pic, etc etc.

Now go forth and slay your flatlay like a boss!