A Daily Dose of Self-Love: 6 Instagram Accounts You Need to Follow
Instagram is often a place where many of us feel insecure and even unwelcome, as if we aren’t meant to be a part of the platform that has become all about the ~aesthetic~. We are constantly comparing ourselves to the perfectly curated moments of someone else’s life, and if we can’t match highly paid influencers’ looks, we feel badly about ourselves.
That being said, Instagram isn’t all bad. It’s also a platform full of creativity and self expression; everything from amazing art, to video content, to news. It can be an extremely easy way for someone to express themselves and share their passions.
But how do we bridge this gap between the dark side and the light? How do we make sure our Instagram feeds are full of the positivity we all need to get through the day? I have compiled a list of Instagram accounts you should follow if you need that daily dose of self-love. Take a look at six accounts that shine through the darkness of social media:
1. @recipesforselflove
I’ll start with my current favourite self-love account: Recipes for Self-love. The account is not only #aesthetic, but it is full of illustrations with powerful one-liners promoting social messages. These incredible drawings focusing on intersectional content are also available as zines on Etsy.
2. @selflovesupply
Self-love Supply was founded by Rachel DaCosta and is located in Toronto, Canada. It describes itself as an “online space for mental health advocacy, body love & intersectional feminism” and that’s exactly what you’ll get by giving them a follow. They also have a blog that promotes these same ideals, hoping to empower and support both their online and IRL communities.
3. @effyourbeautystandards
Eff Your Beauty Standards accepts submissions from users across Instagram to show that there is no one standard definition of beauty. Tess Holliday, an inspiring American plus-size model, set up the account to reinforce the idea that beauty comes in all shapes, sizes, colours, and experiences.
4. @gurlstalk
Gurls Talk is an online community set up to provide a safe space for women to speak about their experiences. It’s a mixture of drawings, affirmations, and personal stories submitted by its audience. They also have a podcast, The Gurls Talk Podcast, that discusses a wide range of issues and interviews inspiring women.
5. @mynameisjessamyn
Jessamyn Stanley’s Instagram account proves that yoga isn’t just for thin, white girls, but for anyone who wants to participate. She’s extremely open about her personal experiences and her struggles with loving herself, while also being an advocate for body positivity. If you need some healthy living inspiration, her account will surely provide you with just that.
6. @i_weigh
This is another personal favourite of mine because I absolutely love Jameela Jamil. She started the I Weigh account after a photo of the Kardashians with each of their weights listed on it went viral. In response, she posted a picture of herself and listed her weight… in what she’s really worth: being financially independent, that she speaks out about women’s rights, that she likes her “bingo wings”, among a few other characteristics. Jameela encouraged other women to do the same and the responses are posted on the account, which now has over 2500 posts.
