Almost three weeks ago, I lost access to my Instagram and Facebook accounts without warning.
No explanation.
No clear next step.
No way to talk to a human.
Just… gone.
For someone who runs a social media consulting business, it felt surreal. This is the space I help clients navigate every day and suddenly, I was locked out of it entirely.
What I Lost (and What It Represented)
It wasn’t just an account.
It was:
18+ years of personal history
10 years of Take Flight Social Media Consulting
5 years of book reviews and content
Professional connections and ongoing work
But it was also something much more personal.
After our parents passed away in 2007, my sister encouraged me to join Facebook. Some of their students and colleagues had created a Facebook group, and reading through the stories, memories, and condolences became unexpectedly therapeutic. That was almost 19 years ago.
Those accounts didn’t just hold content; they held moments, connections, and pieces of my life that can’t be recreated.
Early last week, when I was starting to lose hope of ever regaining access, I told a friend over dinner that if I could just have two hours back in my accounts, I would screenshot everything.
Being locked out meant I couldn’t even download my own content. There were so many people I couldn’t reconnect with because I only knew them through these platforms.
That was the hardest part for me, not just the content, but the years of connection.
And that’s when it really hit me: We don’t own any of this.
Building on Borrowed Platforms
As business owners, we pour time, energy, and creativity into platforms like Instagram and Facebook.
We show up consistently.
We create content.
We build relationships.
But at the end of the day, these platforms are not ours.
They can change the rules.
They can change the algorithm.
And yes, they can take away access without warning.
Even when you’ve done everything right.
What This Experience Taught Me
This experience didn’t just disrupt my business, it shifted my perspective. Here’s what I’m taking forward:
1. Diversification isn’t optional — it’s necessary.
We cannot rely on one platform to carry our entire business.
2. Owned platforms matter more than ever.
Your website. Your email list. Your content archives. These are the things you actually control.
3. Consistency matter, but so does protection.
Showing up online is powerful, but we also need systems in place to protect what we’re building.
What I’m Doing Differently Moving Forward
I’m still showing up on social media. I still love what I do, and I believe in the power of these platforms.
But I’m approaching it differently:
Prioritizing my website and blog content
Being more intentional about where and how I build community
Expanding onto platforms like LinkedIn and Pinterest to diversify where my content lives and is discovered
Thinking long-term about ownership, not just visibility
A Note to Small Business Owners
If your business relies on social media (and most of ours do), this is something to think about.
Not from a place of fear but from a place of awareness.
Because the reality is: You can do everything right… and still lose access.
I’m Back, But With a New Perspective
I did eventually receive a message from Instagram stating:
“We’re sorry we got this wrong and that you weren’t able to use Instagram for a while. Sometimes we need to take action to help keep our community safe.”
Apparently, something I had shared to my personal Stories was flagged, though I was never given any specific details beyond that. For now, my accounts (all of them) have been restored, though I still have some restrictions in place through April 3.
I’m incredibly grateful to have access back. Having the suspension lifted didn’t undo the lesson because I’m also walking away from this experience with a deeper understanding of the risks and a stronger commitment to helping my clients build sustainable, resilient online presences.
Because social media is a tool.
Not a guarantee.
If this experience taught me anything, it’s this: build your business on something you own and let social media support it, not define it.
If you’re building your business primarily on social media, it might be time to rethink your foundation. I’d be happy to help.