We have all been caught in a situation where you’re scrolling through Instagram and suddenly encounter a post that catches you off guard and changes your mood. The post could either be people going out and living life to the fullest, which gives you instantaneous FOMO, or simply an Instagram influencer showing off her new bikini, making you super insecure about yourself. Either way, you could avoid these far from ideal situations by simply clicking the unfollow button.
Now, I know that simply unfollowing people sounds way easier than it is, especially because it is so easy to be drawn into the perfect reality influencers portray online. Although you may think it’s serving as inspiration or motivation, if it makes you feel insecure, you should take a step back.
When you encounter so many posts showcasing seemingly perfect people, it’s inevitable to compare yourself to them and you may often feel like you fall short. The truth is that you are doing so much better than you think you are, and influencers only post the most appealing aspects of their lives on social media.
I’m currently taking a photojournalism class in which we speak about the power of a photo. A photo is powerful because it can convey emotion and even tell a story. However, the story it tells will solely be based on what is photographed, leading audiences to make their own interpretations about the contents of the photo.
The problem is that Instagram pictures, in contrast to photojournalistic images, are posed and manipulated to project a narrative that the creator wants to convey. What we are seeing and trying to imitate is a warped version of reality, a reality that is not even true for the creator.
Another issue with comparing yourself to Instagram “influencers’’ is that, for many of these creators, looking the way they do is part of their full-time job! This means that they have all the means and resources to look the part including the best stylists, clothing, products, personal trainers and photographers — oftentimes for free. They also have the means to invest in their appearances, affording modifications that the average college student can’t afford.
This is in no way bashing or minimizing Instagram influencers for what they post. I’m simply encouraging you to unfollow all of those celebrities and influencers who make you doubt your own worth. Choose to follow transparent creators who showcase both the highs and the lows for the public to see. Most importantly, choose to prioritize your mental health because you’re beautiful and don’t need to compare yourself to others.