Social Media: Content & Intent

Content

I feel, in this Black Mirror era we’re all living in, like it’s easy to get sucked into social media in all the wrong ways. My personal favorite platform is Instagram, I love having the ability to craft a personal feed of images, capture moments from my life, and showcase creativity with photography. This also gives me an outlet to advertise my blogposts, share my fashion, and keep in touch with my friends. On the other hand, I have caught myself falling into the rabbit hole of the negativity that social media brings along. Photo after photo, and like after like, we see people’s “perfect” lives and can’t help but compare them to our own.

Of course, no one’s life can be perfect. No matter the likes, the brand name fashion or the expensive vacations. But when all you see is that crafted image, it’s hard to think beyond it.

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about how I use social media in my life, and reflecting on situations where I let it control me. There have been so many genuine and fleeting moments that I halted and asked someone to take my photo just so I could possibly post it later. And while this isn’t wrong, it isn’t how I want to use my platform, or in a more personal sense, live my life.

I’ve recently experienced some major life changes that both made me aware of and made me value my life more carefully.

As a recovering perfectionist, I’ve started to not plan my days fully. Instead, when I have free time, I evaluate the things I have to get done (laundry, groceries, etc…) and then I decide in the moment what I will do next. It may not seem like a lot, or to some it may seem like normal, but for me it’s a big deal. I used to strategically plan every moment of a day off, and of course, nothing ever goes to plan. It’s taken me a long time to realize and understand that fact, and it will take me even longer to readjust my mind completely, but i’m on the right track.

One thing that I have learned in all of this soul searching is that you cannot create the perfect image (or the perfect moment). Reality happens no matter what. The true beauty of life comes when you deal with reality and capture the moments within it. Too many times have I let my “image” control the way I planned a day, ate a meal or posed in a photo. I’d much rather focus on being happy, and letting the rest follow suit.

Living in Boston has helped shape me into a more confident, and comfortable person, and I couldn’t be more thankful for it. I loved living in Maine, however I never truly felt like I fit in. In the city, I feel like I belong. I’m not the only one wearing high heels, flowing pants and tons of jewelry everyday. It feels so welcoming to be in a place that you can be yourself, and I hope everyone finds that place for them. I’m at a point in my life where being happy with my self is what is most important, and so that is what I am trying to focus on the most.

I will never stop taking photos of my lattes, outfits, and plants, but I do it now because it makes me happy to capture moments I find beautiful instead of seeking to please an audience.

Intent

So, here we are, the point of this post.

With my content, with my voice, and with my passion, I hope to inspire the people around me to live life in the most fulfilling way they can. Whether it’s painting a mural, wearing a red suit, or buying lime green eyeliner, you should express yourself & be proud to do so. I seek to create beautiful and thought provoking images, write from my heart, and always be honest. There is nothing I value more than genuine human connection, and that’s something I think I lost on social media.

One of my favorite quotes is “No matter how you feel, get up, dress up, and show up.” Now more than ever I believe that in order to live the life you want, you have to create it. I don’t want my online image to feel superior to what is happening in the here and now. Social media should be about showcasing the important parts of your life, and not become your entire life.

I want my voice, my page, and my images to inspire creativity. I hope to ignite passion and conjure a sense or exploration. I want my social media impact to be about taking on the day, each day, and living it fully.

Find the moments, places, and experiences that make you excited to live & share them with the people you love.

xoxo