Social Media Influencing or Social Media Control?

Admit it; your morning routine begins with a quick browse on your phone. Checking emails from work or updates from your bestie who has just touched down in Sydney. Or, just simply having your morning scroll on social media; notifying yourself of others adventurous, happy lives. Admittedly, I know this is part of my own morning routine.

Entering adulthood already carries its own pressures, and with the constant speed of information and persistent updates from the power of a small device we carry with us everywhere we go, it is easy to feel overwhelmed with extra, unnecessary information.

With those showing the heavily positive aspects of their lives, it can feel as though that they do not ever experience both the highs and lows of life, like many others are. Or it seeming as though they ‘have their lives together’ by displaying their seamless cleaning routines, their dedication to exercise routines and their self-care routines; all whilst having the perfect work-life balance. It may feel they don’t experience down days, where routine is out of whack and the house feels untidy. I know I have those days, and those days are occasionally the most productive, rest IS productive. You may not realise the pressure that absorbing short form content and viewing these Instagram posts creates every day, it can engrain the feeling that in order to be our happiest, this is how life should be. However, ultimately this is what a social media influencer’s job is, and what they are solely being paid to do.

Not only are their routines and lifestyles highlighted online, but clothing and beauty is a massive opportunity for influencers to work closely with their favourite brands and influence their admiring audiences. Influencing created several recent trends that became sensations overnight. Those trends include the craze of skincare routines that became a huge obsession to young children still in primary school (who definitely don’t need to worry about their skincare regimes), the Adidas trainer’s frenzy, and the fixation of a high-street leather jacket worn by Molly-Mae, a highly influential figure to many. The rise of social media and influencer popularity could reflect negatively onto those who already feel pressured, and into the consumption worlds (fast fashion included) as brands race to meet the demand of fast-paced trends.

As much as social media influencing can feel overwhelming, fast-paced and at times out of reach or out of touch for us viewers, a number of influencers are using their large following to encourage openness, reality, and recognising the importance of highlighting their down days. They prove to followers that although it seems the majority online are living a perfect lifestyle, they will most definitely be having days offline to recharge and do mundane, everyday tasks, and that you can too. These are the videos I appreciate on my feed, and I do believe we are starting to see a change and encouraging ‘real life’ on social media.

It's important to start noticing what influence social media has on us, feeling inspired by what influencers are creating and promoting rather than feeling like you need to live their lifestyle to ‘live your best life’. Being yourself is more than okay! I love using Tik Tok for some outfit inspiration; using what is in my own wardrobe to create a similar look, yet considering my own style to suit me and what I feel my most comfortable and confident in.

Using the influencing and current trends you see online, ask the questions to yourself, “Is this what I truly like and feels like ME?”, “Is this MY style?”, “Is this what I want to do?” being aware and cautious as to what you are consuming. It is important to consider that occasionally influencers are not always being truthful about liking and using products they are promoting.

This blog post is not here to make you feel you should cut out social media for good or feel guilty for liking what an influencer promotes, it’s about using social media mindfully, whilst carefully considering what you consume and how you consume it!

Words By Alice Abel