One of my author visit talks is all about beauty standards through the ages and how social media can make us place unrealistic expectations on ourselves that can have a detrimental effect on our mental health.
Trying to be perfect is poisonous.
And yet, I love social media – Facebook, Twitter, Instagram. I belong to some great communities on those platforms and I’d really miss them in my life. It’s not the social media that’s the problem, it’s the content that’s pushed in our faces. We often can’t avoid the adverts that are sent to us, here’s one that made me spit with fury:
This lovely young woman’s photograph is not real. Her skin has been smoothed and tanned, her hair colour enhanced and her teeth whitened. I am 100% sure she looked completely fine before this image of perfection was presented to the world. The effect? We feel we can’t show our real selves because we just don’t match up. How horrible. What happens when we want to go out? Are they working on a Facetune for real life? Probably. If it makes money. Because that’s what it’s all about – making money off your insecurities.
If you want to play with filters, and some of them are really fun, use ones that are obvious and give Facetune a big ole poke in the eye. And follow some people who’ll make you feel better about yourself. Here are my top five six Instagram accounts that are good for your mental health!
- @CelesteBarber – this woman is hilarious – her account parodies images of models and celebrities and she makes me laugh EVERY DAY. Improve your life. Just follow.
Enter a caption - @lewiscapaldi – cute, funny, real, honest. I LOVE HIM. His stories are brilliant. He’s a bit sweary sometimes but, lets face it, so am I. His posts are pure joy.
- @the.naked.farmer – it’s not what you expect. And it is. All of life embraced.
- @alwynhamilton – author of Rebel of the Sands, absolute icon for positive body image – her stories are just fab!
- @mattzhaig – well known for his books about mental health, his feed is full of positive affirmation but also the reality of coping with anxiety.
6. I have to include Karen Ball @didyoumakethat for her fantastic series of photographs with a stranger – it’s joyous!
Add your favourite accounts in the comments and share the love – you can never have enough positive influences. And if you want to follow me, I’m @KathrynEvansInk
Beauty Sleep out now.
A pacey, gripping, thriller – Sunday Express. A Black Mirror twist on Sleeping Beauty – The Book Seller.
School visits via Authors Abroad.
Kathryn Evans 