Leslie sighed audibly after looking at her Instagram feed. It was filled with fitness gurus with their lithe and toned bodies. Having struggled with bodyweight issues all her life, she wasn’t happy about the fact that she had gained more weight during the lockdown. Feelings of worthlessness started resurfacing in her. She tried the positive self-talk and impulsively opened Instagram again, hoping that it would distract her from the very thoughts that it induced. However, she closed it abruptly after seeing a picture of a Victoria Secret’s model.
John had been going through an anxious week. He wanted to come out to his parents but wasn’t sure how to go about it. Looking for some inspiration, he opened his Instagram account, but a homophobic post made him change his mind about revealing his identity to his parents.
Welcome to the gleaming new world where social media these days tells us how we are supposed to look, what we are supposed to eat, how we should dress up and even tells us our worth.
With a billion active users, it is pretty obvious that Instagram is here to stay. But this social media giant has a dark side. Propagation of “ideal body” types and sizes, homophobia, intolerance towards certain sections of society, racism, etc. are just some of the issues that are spread through this medium. Now, more than ever, it is important that we follow accounts that brighten our days and make our nights a little less lonely. So, if you want to follow some non – problematic, artsy, encouraging and relatable Instagram accounts, fret not, we have got you covered.
Medina
@grillodesigns: Medina is an “award-winning DIY & home improvement blogger.” A Black Muslim home decorator, she is unapologetically herself and is not afraid to speak her mind. Follow her to get bombarded with creative ideas regarding how you can upscale your furniture.
Teenage Stepdad
@teenagestepdad: Pop culture references with hilarious captions, what more could one ask for? Comedy, laced with social commentary is the best kind of comedy. Also, I am sure you don’t want to miss out on their rad merch either!
Giselle Blogger
@hopelessbooklover_: Giselle combines her love for reading and travelling in a beautifully curated feed. Her clicks are aesthetically pleasing and will fill you with serenity. Scroll through her feed, after a particularly stressful day. As an added bonus, you will also get some great book recommendations.
Charity: Water
@charitywater: Their mission is to provide safe and clean drinking water to everyone. Through their page, they are trying to spread their message and share their success stories. Their feed is full of smiling people who finally have access to safe drinking water. This one will make you count your blessings.
Enam Asiama
@enamasiama: “With all that I am: fat, black, queer, femme, I truly believe that the idea of owning my body means having to be present spiritually, emotionally and physically”, spoke Enam Asiana to Herione magazine. She is bold, audacious and talented. A model at Anti-Agency, this woman is single-handedly teaching masses how to accept their “imperfect” selves and carry themselves with confidence.
Also read: Why and How the Social Reward System on Social Media Needs to be Changed
Queer Bible
@queerbible: Jack Guinness launched Queer Bible in 2017. The page celebrates LGBTQIA+ heroes who made history and changed the world for the better. Hop on there to brush up your knowledge about these legendary people.
Cinimomo Comics
@cinimomocomics: Mackenzie, the creator of these hilariously relatable comics, is a self – proclaimed foodie. Her webcomics are amusing, fun and focused on food. Do we need to say more?
The Good Advice Cupcake
@thegoodadvicecupcake: Cuppy, “the sentient cupcake” is your answer to a dull and anxious day. Cuppy talks about relationships, friendships and even about mental health. Its sweet voice alone will lift your mood in an instant.
Positive & Motivational Quotes
@thegoodquote: Looking for quotes filled with positivity and optimism to brighten your Insta feed? Look no further. With 20.4 million followers, this page is popular for a reason. It promotes mental health and self – development through catchy quotes you surely don’t want to miss.
Meowed by 9GAG
@meowed: It claims to be the best cat community on Insta, and it indeed is. It features quirky, adorable and cute videos of cats. The videos are bound to uplift your mood in an instant.
Humans of Cinema
@humansofcinema: Steering away from commercial cinema with ample masala, this page highlights “cinema for change, positivity and mental health”. It also features some behind-the-scenes facts to make you fall in love with certain movies even more. If you are a true cinephile, you have to check out this gem!
It's Beautiful Here
@_itsbeautifulhere: These unprecedented times have given us all a serious wanderlust. Gigi’s feed will transport you virtually to foreign destinations, while you sit in your houses, sighing while seeing every picture.
The Latest Kate
@thelatestkate: Whenever you are down, hop on this page to get reminders from friendly animals as to why self-care and self-love are so important. Kate also gives you tips on how to battle anxiety and depression.
Now&Me
@nowandme: In this day and age, when everyone is trying to tell you what to feel and how much of it to express, it is important to remember that there is no right or wrong amount when it comes to emotions. “Feel your feelings”, share your stories and let us remind you that you are not alone. Follow this page to become a part of our loving community. Post your thoughts on our website and get responses from around the world with valuable advice from people who have faced the same situations as you!
While Instagram has various safety features, it is important to note that hate doesn’t come wrapped up in a few malicious words. It can be spread through the usage of everyday language. So, surround yourself with positivity, optimism, acceptance, care and love.
Self-expression is our right, but so is making sure that nobody gets hurt by our opinions and sentiments. Don’t be so attached to your opinions that truth, justice and equality become secondary considerations and take a backseat.
Written by Saloni Kumar Edited by Bhavya Chauhan Illustration by Annanya Chaturvedi
The views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy, position or beliefs of Now&Me, any other agency, organization, employer or company. And since we are critically-thinking human beings, these views are always subject to change, revision, and rethinking at any time. Please do not hold us to them in perpetuity.
