The Death of Influencer Culture
We have finally as a collective arrived at THIS moment and I am so here for it. What seems like the end of influencer culture. First, a little bit of my personal take on this subject.At about 20 years old I was going hard and heavy in the gym and was following a lot of fitness influencers on Instagram this was about 2015. Truly, I believe this was the early years of social media influencers. They were everywhere, all beautiful and aspirational. I never cared for make up or ever huge into fashion so fitness was my personal choice. So of course as a young adult the comparison brain began to kick in and boy did it really begin to affect my confidence. Which is insane because looking back that was truly the best shape I’ve ever been, never been fat but as I’ve aged I’ve just remained thin and skinny not much muscle (been waiting on that “you’ll gain weight as you age” myth but hasn’t happened yet). I had muscle and had a booty, madness! I even attached my proof.
But that’s what social media does, creeps into your brain and you begin to compare yourself to complete strangers and start to diminish your hard work and accomplishments. It can definitely be good as inspiration but I’m saying this up front now that an “influencers” life isn’t perfect, it is only the highlights of their life. So that feeling made me want to delete my account and get off Instagram (the only platform I only ever had at that time) for roughly five years.
I can honestly say I loved it. My partner at that time never had social media so I took that as form of inspiration. I was present, still am and definitely took my pictures but till this day I prefer photo albums. I started working on myself emotionally and mentally. My confidence and self worth expanded. Worked on my true self concept. Who was I? What did I like/disliked? As mentioned in my bio integrity is a huge thing for me, I am the exact same person in a crowded room as I am when I’m home alone. I formed my own identity and became hard to “influence” at this point.
So eventually I logged back in and was just shocked at how much everything had changed. Number one was the over sexualized content all attempting their best “Kylie Jenner” shots. Pretty women, yes of course but so much plastic and fillers but even then the photoshop was/is insane. This has actually just gotten worse with how much AI has changed things. Finally, I believe one of the reasons why we have finally reached a breaking point. The lack of authenticity and genuine personalities. Everyone flocking to the newest trend or aesthetic to fit it, get the clicks, increase your following. Different skin tone, eye color, race but same Valley girl voice/ flow sounding so robotic and rehearsed. Who are you really?
But no matter who you are, your preferred aesthetic, or the newest trend you’re chasing we are OVER the influencer entitlement and delulu grasp on reality. I believe this years Coachella was the final and last straw for many. At this point just the desperation to be included, get the content, and be at the “it” spot just to brag about it is not it. Or the Jaclyn Hills of the social world complaining about engagement and views. We have lost the plot. A time when inflation, cost of living, the future is so unpredictable it is truly a daily stressor and anxiety inducing.
This is no longer it and I’m glad we have finally awakened as a collective. Time to unfollow, unsubscribe, and not purchase from these self entitled, desperate for your attention, not here for a long time talentless individuals. Wish you the absolute best in seeking the real you and highly recommend you deactivate for few months if you can’t for years. Blaze your own trail and be the best YOU can be.
