Recently, I realized that taking control of my social media feed was the key to improving my mental well-being. A couple of years back, I set up an Instagram account. With little experience in the social media realm, I wasn’t quite sure how to navigate it. Even now, I’m still clueless about how to create an IG story. I mostly post a photo or a caption occasionally, using the platform primarily for inspiration.
On my account, I follow a diverse range of people, including celebrities, beauty influencers, and advocates for body positivity. My feed is filled with content that either entertains or inspires me. Some accounts I keep for a while, while others may only stick around for a few weeks. I cherish Instagram as a source of creativity and motivation.
In the past, my feeds were cluttered with images of individuals who had transitioned from being overweight to thin. I followed various hashtags related to specific diets and weight-loss surgeries. For a time, my newsfeed was filled with low-fat recipes, low-carb snack ideas, and “motivational” quotes that did little more than shame me into feeling guilty about my food choices. I would scroll through countless images of women in their new, slender bodies, working out and sipping on green smoothies, hoping that by immersing myself in that culture, I would somehow find the strength to transform myself.
Over the years, I have discovered a healthier perspective on my own body. Instead of fixating on images of bodies I considered “better” than mine, I now seek out messages that affirm my worth just as I am. I stopped idolizing wellness culture and rejected the notion that there is a singular way to have a body. The diet culture left me feeling hollow and in pain, so I decided to leave it behind. I learned to appreciate my own body and recognize my ability to move, eat healthily, and feel good right now.
Why should I wait to express my happiness until my body conformed to societal standards? Why did I have to accept the false belief that my worth was tied to my size? By altering the content I consumed, I transformed how I viewed my body.
I still encounter numerous images of bodies in motion, enjoying nutritious foods, and showcasing their style. The difference now is that these bodies come in all shapes and sizes. I follow women of various sizes, women of color, transgender women, and individuals who wear religious attire, along with a few men. I deliberately engage with content that celebrates all bodies as valuable and beautiful.
While I’m not against weight loss messaging, I support individuals who choose to change their bodies on their own terms. I actively seek hashtags and accounts that encourage me to see each body as worthy of appreciation. This shift has allowed me to use social media in a healthier way. I’ve begun to view the world as a welcoming place where I can embrace imperfection as a natural part of life.
I’ve never felt happier or more mentally balanced. A few months ago, I started to transform my Facebook feed to reflect my Instagram experience. I’m now following individuals and pages that broaden my knowledge and enhance my perspective. Groups that contribute negativity? Deleted. Bloggers who “keep it real” with staged imperfections? Unfollowed. Fitness accounts that only feature fat bodies as cautionary tales? Goodbye.
I’m committed to removing anything that negatively impacts my mental health. It’s a continuous journey, but I believe it’s a necessary step toward cultivating a more peaceful online existence. When Facebook isn’t a source of stress, my offline life improves as well. Social media is a permanent fixture in our lives, particularly in my work, but I can transform my experience into one that feels enjoyable rather than overwhelming.
As I build a more positive online environment, I’m careful not to create an echo chamber. It’s crucial to allow diverse viewpoints while still setting boundaries for what I can handle. Echo chambers can foster misinformation and extreme ideas, so it’s important to maintain a balance of perspectives.
If social media ever feels overwhelming, I encourage you to curate your experience. Social media is an extension of real life; it impacts your mental and emotional health. Just as you would avoid negativity in person, you have the right to do the same online. You deserve to feel exceptional.
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In summary, I’ve learned to curate my social media experience to foster positivity and self-acceptance, focusing on diverse representations of beauty. By surrounding myself with uplifting messages, I’ve improved my mental health and embraced my body just as it is.
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