Social media used to be a different space than it is today. I used to open Instagram and expect to see several of my friend’s dinners and a lot of cute photos of family and dogs. Now, when I log in to social media platforms, it’s like a battle to find actual content that doesn’t make me feel like less of a person.

You see, I love a lot of influencers. I’ve followed a ton of these accounts in the past and admired their workout routines, fashion sense, and even rooted them on when they chose to get botox or lip injections, citing the fact that we should be able to do whatever we feel without judgment. 

Suddenly, though, I started to question myself each time I would see these influencers pop up in my feed. Should I buy new workout gear from Fabletics? Maybe people at the gym are judging my 10-year old baggy t-shirt and volleyball spandex from high school. Should I get lip injections? Perhaps I’d get more followers if I had fuller lips. 

Yes – I’m serious. I’ve had these thoughts. 

I know it sounds stupid. Why would any of these things make me a better person? Well, 3 million people seem to think that these influencers are making the right choices. So, is it really that stupid?

This year, I am letting go of these ideals. Instead of feeling inferior, I’m saying CYA LATER. 

Why did I unfollow my favourite influencers?

Social media affects my spending behaviours

Whether I realize it or not, a lot of my purchases are influenced by something I’ve seen online. I’ve bought makeup, clothing, and products that I would never usually buy, but did because someone (a stranger) on the internet said they “like totally love it.” It’s not hard to go from living life on a budget to letting lifestyle inflation creep in. In the past six months, I’ve been more flexible with my spending habits, and less worried about what goes out as long as I pay my bills. It’s a dangerous habit, and I want it to stop. So, this is step one.

Influencers make me feel inferior

I know that it’s not their goal in life is not to make me feel worse about myself. A lot of these influencers have good intentions and want to be relatable. The problem is, there comes the point in your career where we can no longer relate. I’m not able to afford a celebrity personal trainer and dietitian. My work schedule doesn’t allow for month-long luxury vacations to Bali and Hawaii. I don’t get free clothing just for sharing a photo on my Instagram account. I have to pay for all of these wants. These aren’t essential. When an influencer tells you that “you need this sweater” or “this is my favourite product,” it doesn’t mean anything if your budget and lifestyle don’t allow for it. We shouldn’t feel inferior because our schedule doesn’t let us do whatever we want when we want. We have a routine that millions of others share — and that is what’s relatable. 

My self-confidence and body image has plummeted

I’ve never felt entirely comfortable in my skin. I’ve always had flaws and feelings that I needed to change parts of myself by eating healthier and working out more often. However, lately, Instagram has turned this weekly negative self-talk into a daily habit that I hate more than anything else. With FaceTune and the common poses that make our bodies look different than they genuinely appear, I’m constantly comparing myself to influencers I see online. At one point, these images were my motivation and inspiration. Now, they’re a source of anxiety — and it’s time to say goodbye. 

How can you choose who to follow on social media?

A good starting point for the moment you decide to take back your social media feed is to set some rules. Write down a list of the people who you follow that don’t always make you feel good about yourself.

For example, don’t follow people who you:

• Hate-follow, or follow to make yourself feel better. This type of monitoring is unfair to both parties. You shouldn’t need to put a stranger on the internet down to lift yourself.

• Find never post anything genuine. If influencers only post the good, that is their prerogative. It doesn’t mean that you need to stick around and assume their life is better than yours because they don’t ever feel A, B or C. 

• Think are strictly there to sell you something. It might be Sally from high school who has roped herself into a multi-level marketing scheme. Perhaps it’s Rebecca the fitness model who is trying to sell you meal plans and workout subscriptions. It’s okay to admit you’re never going to buy them and unfollow. You don’t need any more temptation to spend money.

On the flip side, you should follow people who:

• Inspire you

• Are friends and family you love to cheer on

• Post real moments

Just like it can feel comfortable with tapping follow on an account that initially made you smile, it can feel even more convenient to tap unfollow when they no longer provide you with that same feeling of happiness. The moment you remove these accounts from your life and fill your feed with genuine content and feel-good inspiration, the better off you’ll be. At least, I know it worked for me. I feel better already.