Creatives on Social Media

It goes without saying that social media has changed the way we communicate. This has been something incredible to observe and be a part of.

The internet, and social media in particular, has made it easy to connect with other like-minded people from all across the world who you otherwise would never have crossed paths with. It has also brought some incredible opportunities for people to monetise their creative skills, showcase their talents and grow a business. Whilst there are many positive things that have come about from this, social media has it’s fair share of downsides too.

Now, don’t get me wrong. I’m definitely not here to harp on about how evil the internet is.

I am an avid user of the internet and it has provided me with a platform to express myself and share my voice with the world. It has also afforded me some valuable opportunities that I may not otherwise have had. However, I do think that being aware of how we are affected by our use of social media and the content we consume, can help to make our overall experience online more positive.

Something that has become almost synonymous with social media is comparison. The thing about platforms like Instagram, is that it becomes quite easy to paint ourselves as living a dream life filled with smoothie bowls, coffee shops and endless wonder. Naturally, most people don’t wish to share their less polished and unfiltered moments online. It makes us vulnerable. More times than I’d care to admit, I’ve found myself falling down what my friends and I call the “pretty-girl rabbit hole”, which entails an unhealthy amount of time spent scrolling through someone else’s Instagram feed and feeling dissatisfied with your own appearance and life in general.

I’m learning that comparing your life to someone’s filtered, curated Instagram feed is not fair to yourself. It’s been said before, and I’ll say it again because it’s important. Stop comparing your reality to someone else’s highlight reel. Stop comparing your mirror to someone else’s filtered selfie. Be a little kinder to yourself. Allow yourself the grace to live imperfectly, make mistakes and be human.

“The truth is, the internet is still pretty new, with very few concrete rules. Don’t let it consume you too much.”

Sharing creative work online can also be tricky. Personally, I have struggled with finding a good balance between creating for myself and making stuff just to have content to upload to Instagram. “Authentic” is a word that gets thrown around on countless podcasts, videos and posts by other creatives. But don’t underestimate the value of it.

I have thought about and struggled with my “brand”. Anyone who has been following me right from the start can attest to the fact that the colours, content, style and feel of my posts and work has changed many a time since I’ve started my blog and Instagram. And for good reason. I have changed. My passions and interests have evolved. I have grown. So, how could my platform not? Being authentic doesn’t have to be difficult. It just means that you share content online that is true to who you are and what you do. Give yourself the freedom to create and share work that brings you pleasure, instead of fixating on what will get the most likes on Instagram.

Another thing? You don’t owe anyone a follow. You don’t have to follow someone just because you know them, or have been following them for a while. You are entitled to curate your own online experience so that it works for and benefits you. The more mindful you are of the content you allow yourself to be exposed to, the more positively you will view social media and yourself. If someone or something doesn’t make you feel good, even if you can’t pinpoint it, unfollow it. Enough said. You don’t have to have a reason. You don’t owe anyone an explanation. Do what works for you.

The truth is, the internet is still pretty new, with few concrete rules. Don’t let it consume you too much. At the end of the day, it’s just a few photos and some captions. Let’s spend less time making content and more time being content.

Nabeela Parkar is one of our monthly Comeback writers. She has a keen interest in writing and would be more than happy to read her way through an entire library. She enjoys being challenged and facing tasks that require her to think for a little longer. She is fascinated by maths and science and also have a deep appreciation for the ocean, mountains and the natural world at large. She is currently in her last year of school and is on the path of deciding what to do with her life as of next year. She’s an avid believer that whilst everything happens for a reason, taking action towards achieving your goals and dreams is key.