Let's get real, how many people do you idolize just because they have over 25k followers on Instagram? We all do it, don't be ashamed. There are some people who I follow just because they have a high follower count and I am curious about what their life is and what can possibly be so interesting that they have such a high following. What we should be ashamed about is we let a stupid number dictate our self-worth. I'm here to call bull shit on it! The number of followers you have in no way indicates how successful you will be. Unfortunately, our society has somehow encouraged us to engage in social media and that you aren't valuable unless you have the glorified blue check mark next to your name.
Last week were Miami Swim Week castings filled with 500 beautiful women from across the country. Each girl, more beautiful than the one before, all vying for a few open spots to walk in select swim shows. There I was in the middle of everything with my mere 4.7k followers listening to girls complain about their 24k and how it wasn't enough. During one of the castings, I was sitting next to this stunning woman who was telling me how she felt like shit because she lost a job to someone with more followers than her. Mind you, I ended up Instagram stalking this girl later (because why not) and she had 64K followers. I was completely baffled that this gorgeous and genetically blessed human with a world renown agency and a high follower count still felt as though she was worthless because someone had more followers, and that she was less important. While sitting at a hotel all day, waiting to be seen for castings, the only thought I had was "What has the beauty industry come to?" Needless to say, Swim Week left me feeling like persona non grata, even though I walk for countless designers and shows all year round.
Why have we become a society where a number validates who you are? This number, this following of mythical people does it say anything about where you went to school, your major, your job, the feats one has been able to achieve or will achieve and most importantly, your soul which can't be described through a blue checkmark? At the end of the day, are you socializing with this followers, can you reveal to them your deepest secrets or ask them for advice. In my life, that is a part very few people get to play. I am done playing the game that the number of likes, comments, or followers you have means something more than external.
I suggest you start accepting who you are regardless of the followers you have or likes you get on a meaningless photo. Instead, be happy about where you are in your life and not focusing on what can be better. I'm not saying be complacent, you should always strive for improvement but enjoy where you are and what you're doing. Will this article change the mindset of millennials, college and high school students regarding Instagram, probably not? Truthfully, I still enjoy seeing my follower count grow, but this should not be an indication of the true life someone is living. However, it is critical to not compare yourself to others, especially edited photos on Instagram. Remember, people can edit their photos, but they can't edit their personality.
