Social Media Should Feel Good
There are a few things that make me uneasy on social media.
In this moment, photos of unmasked groups of humans. Make. Me. So. Anxious. And also frustrated.
Side-by-side photos.
Of humans.
Of food.
Anything, really. Unless it’s a kid or a pet. Those can stay.
Accounts that feature, predominantly privileged, ‘aesthetically pleasing’ bodies as the bulk of their content.
Humans suggesting that they have the answer for whatever I/we might be experiencing in any moment.
Encouraging us to send them a DM for all the answers.
Accounts that talk about calories or calorie recommendations in specific terms. Your energy needs are different from everyone else on this planet. A stranger, particularly a stranger on the Internet, making caloric recommendations? Nope.
Accounts that aren’t still discussing BLM. Or systemic oppression. Or how they’re learning & recognizing how whitewashed everything is. This is not to say that the reason I started or run my page is about this cause. But neglecting to use my platform for social justice is negligent. And so in conjunction with the eating disorder, body image, disability, and anti-diet content I’ve always shared, I’m bringing you with me for Black Lives Matter. Because they do. I’m bringing you with me for wear a damn mask. Because COVID is still here.
If an account makes you feel uneasy, uncomfortable, or anything less than good, please Unfollow. This is your right and this is your superpower. To the best of your ability, control the content that you experience.
Strong recommend that you go through your explore page, click on anything that makes you uncomfortable, and let Instagram know that you don’t want to see it anymore.
Take it one step further, and report it as hate speech or instigating eating disorders or risky behaviors or whatever applies.
I don’t really use the explore feature, but have adjusted it so that I am seeing content that I want to see. Bodies & body stories that I don’t have first-hand experience with. Posts that teach me things, that leave me curious, challenged, & sometimes uncomfortable. The latter is often the most important.
Unfollowing is a superpower.
Happy & safe social media for all.
