Social media can be amazing for so many reasons, but often it can also be rather harmful. Seeing so many touched up and photoshopped picture-perfect images on our Instagram, Twitter and Facebook timelines can sometimes make us feel like we need to live up to this unattainable standard.
If you are looking to improve the way social media affects your mental health and make its impact that little bit more positive, one way to do so is to unfollow all people on social media who don’t make you feel good about your body. Then, in their place, you can follow some body positive activists that will show you that having scars, stretch marks, rolls of skin etc, is in fact perfectly natural and normal and just because some don’t show these things, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be proud of yours!
So, with that all in mind, we are here to help you get started on loving yourself with five of the best body positive activists that social media has to offer!
You only have to have a quick glance at Chessie’s Instagram feed to know that she is extremely committed to stopping this idea of women being one particular unattainable and unrealistic look and shape. Chessie regularly posts “Instagram vs reality” images on Instagram, where she demonstrates how the right poses, lighting and editing can make a person look, vs how one might look sat down, in bad lighting, with the camera at a bad angle. Through her social media, Chessie aims to, and regularly does, demonstrate that excess skin, fat, stretch marks, spots, etc are all just normal and natural and are not things to be ashamed of or hidden. Chessie is also a super upbeat and positive person, her Instagram motivational Instagram stories and captions will have you feeling ready to take on the world in seconds! Plus, if Chessie’s positivity on social media isn’t enough for you, you can always go and get your hands on one of her fantastic prints so you can have some positivity on your own bedroom wall!
You will probably already know of Jameela Jamil and her dedication to feminism, LGBTQ+ rights, equality for POC, and body positivity – if not I assume you will have been living under a rock for the last couple of years! On both Instagram and Twitter she is constantly posting about standing up for what you believe in, being comfortable in your own skin, and encouraging celebs and influencers to stop promoting unattainable and unrealistic lives and lifestyles. She is also extremely real and upfront about her struggles with chronic illnesses and mental health issues. Jameela Jamil is the definition of a celebrity being entirely upfront and real on social media. At the same time, Jameela is also full of positivity! She will really bring a splash of inspiration and positivity to your social media timelines with her Instagram pics and captions and her tweets.
Hattie has for a long time been very popular on social media for her fashion photos, pictures of her super cool bedroom, and really pretty photography pics. Since she started her Instagram she has always been very open about being proud of her height, at just 4”10, and has always been very upfront about struggling with acne and trying to be real about showing that what you see in Instagram pictures isn’t always the full picture. However, since starting dialysis for kidney failure, Hattie has been extremely honest on her Instagram about dealing with her physical health and has been very open about having a dialysis line fitted. Since the dialysis line was fitted earlier this year, Hattie has continuously posted images with the line on show and doesn’t try to hide it at all. Her positivity towards her situation and her attitude to looking something other than like the typical Instagram model is something we could definitely all learn from! If you’re looking for someone super honest and real to follow on social media, she is definitely one to watch.
If you are looking for somebody truly inspirational to follow on social media, Katie Piper is 100% your woman. In 2008, Katie was the victim of an acid attack which caused major damage to her face and caused blindness in one eye. Despite this, Katie has an extremely positive attitude towards life and body positivity. Katie regularly shows off her scars from the attack with pride on Instagram with lengthy captions about loving yourself and your appearance. She is also really realistic about motherhood too – so if you are a mother looking for someone to look to, she is certainly worth a follow!
You will likely already know of Sam Smith for his absolutely incredible vocals, however, what you may not know is that he is also very into body positivity on social media. On Instagram in particular, he often posts realistic images of himself and his body with inspirational body positive captions to encourage you to love and appreciate yourself and your body that little bit more. He is well worth a follow, no matter your gender, for some realism and positivity on your timeline! Also, if you identify as non-binary at all, Sam will be a great role model for you, as he embraces the label and is proud to be non-binary and regularly posts pictures with his nails painted, wearing heels, wearing make-up, etc.
So, if you are looking to make your social media feeds a happier and more positive place to be and if you are looking to improve your confidence and increase your love for yourself, why not start by unfollowing all of those that make you feel bad about yourself and following these five body positive activists in their place?
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