Day 9: Fall Weather, Cat Cafes, and My Social Media Strategy Shift

Today was one of those perfect autumn days, the kind that almost demands you sit outside with a steaming mug of something warm, wearing a sweater that feels just right. I found myself wandering into a cozy cat café, where whiskers and paws seemed to tumble through the air like the leaves outside. Between sips of my chai latte and head-scratches for the purring bundles around me, I took the time to think about my ever-elusive social media strategy.

For a while now, I’ve been wrangling with my posting schedule, trying to find the best way to bring order to the chaos. If I could only find the right tool, I thought—something that would simplify, not complicate. I had an idea in my head of what I needed: simplicity, efficiency, and, ideally, a sense of belonging within my existing creative world.

The Search for the Perfect Social Media Scheduler

Over the years, I’ve been around the block with social media schedulers. I’ve tried Buffer, with its elegant simplicity—perfect for quick and straightforward scheduling. Later was another, with its delightful drag-and-drop interface that made Instagram planning feel almost like a game. There were others, too—each offering a unique charm or feature that initially seemed like the answer to all my social media woes.

But then, after a bit of Googling, I discovered Adobe Express, a part of Adobe Creative Cloud. It offers a one-stop space for all of my creative assets and social media scheduling. Why add another subscription when Adobe’s suite, which I already own, has a perfectly capable social media management tool built right in? No need to overcomplicate things with another subscription. I’ll stick with Adobe Express. Sometimes simplicity is the best decision.

Figma to Shopify and the Dangers of Free Tools

With social media management sorted, my thoughts turned to another pressing need: my online presence. Specifically, my website’s look and feel—my digital home. I’d been eyeing a Figma to Shopify plugin called Instant, thinking it might be the way forward for a fresh, customized storefront. It was tempting, but a cautious voice whispered in the back of my mind. I’ve learned to listen to that voice, the one that asks, what’s the catch?

There’s something unsettling about free tools that don’t clearly outline their monetization plans. It’s like a story with a loose thread—pull it, and the entire narrative unravels. So I took a step back and considered other options.

A Return to Webflow: Solid and Reliable for Custom Design

I remembered the Webflow class I took a few months ago, where I learned how to create a custom Shopify theme from scratch. Webflow stood out back then, and it stands out now—reliable, with a clear business model that doesn’t hide behind a free sign-up. It’s a platform that speaks plainly about what it offers and what it costs, and in return, it provides a solid, stable foundation. A bit like choosing to build your house out of bricks rather than straw, if you’ll forgive the old fable.

Webflow’s flexibility gives me the freedom to craft my online identity without relying on plugins that might vanish overnight or suddenly ask for an unexpected fee. It’s dependable, and for someone who values long-term reliability over fleeting promises, it’s the right choice.

But then again, maybe I’ll just stay within Shopify’s own tools, sticking to what’s inside the sandbox. There’s something to be said for staying where you know the ground is stable.

Bringing It All Together: Creativity and Consistency

So here I am, sitting by the window of a café filled with purring cats, watching the leaves fall as I type this out. My social media will now be managed with Adobe Express, taking advantage of the tools I already own and trust. My website will likely take shape in Webflow, a platform that’s stood the test of time and promises to remain solid.

Choosing tools, I’ve learned, is a bit like choosing companions on a journey. It’s not about having the latest or flashiest; it’s about finding the ones that fit—the ones that complement your own strengths and fill in the gaps you can’t fill yourself. And in the end, it’s about choosing what allows you to create, without unnecessary distractions or worries. It’s about embracing simplicity in a world that often promises too much.

And for now, that’s enough. The wind is picking up outside, and the cats are starting to curl up on their cushions. My work is done—for today, at least. Tomorrow, I’ll dive back into design, posting, and planning. But tonight, I’ll watch the sunset paint the sky, sip my tea, and feel quietly, contentedly ready for whatever comes next.