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The Positive Implications of Letting Instagram Influence Us

October 10, 2019

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sophhearts

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I’ve moaned about it plenty myself, but I sometimes feel a little bad for Instagram. I know, I know, the ALGORITHM, but hear me out. For all its flaws, the positive implications it has on our lives is largely overshadowed by, well, everything else. From the comparison game to rude comments or poor engagement, it takes the brunt of our irritation even though it’s certainly not solely responsible.

Heres the thing. No matter how much we take to Twitter to moan about Instagram and swear that we don’t even CARE anymore, we’re still checking in. As much as I believed the time would come when we all just somehow, in unison, shut it down for the last time (RIP MSN), that time doesn’t look like it’s fast approaching. We’re still spending our time, efforts and resources there and striving to make a success of our accounts. Not only that, but we really enjoy it (and if you genuinely don’t, then what are you still doing there?).

It has its flaws, and I realise that people are affected by these to different extents. But when I bitch about Instagram, it’s often in the same tone I use to bitch about J leaving his dirty socks on the floor (again) to my friend over coffee. In an exasperated ‘but I love him, what can you do?‘ kind of way. So here are all of the positive implications, the reasons I enjoy Instagram and how I justify spending so much time on it (for Gods sake don’t look at my screen-time report).

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ITS INSPIRING

I’ve always thought of myself as a creative person, but boy, some Instagram accounts are in another league. I head to the explore page to gain inspiration and often, I also come across new accounts worth following.

Not only does it inspire me to create more and better, but also to do more and better. I’ve gained travel as well as makeup and style inspiration. Sometimes it’s as subtle as seeing an aesthetically pleasing coffee on my feed and fancying one myself.

Instagram (or more accurately, the people on it) provides glossy magazine quality content for absolutely free.

IT HOSTS A WHOLE LOAD OF RECOMMENDATIONS

I don’t identify as an influencer. My dislike for the word is a whole separate post, but namely, it’s because I’ve not once set out to influence anyone. Despite that, I have influenced and I’ve also been influenced in return. I enjoy making recommendations and having conversations about things I like, so any influence I do have has always been in a subtle, ‘wow I love this, you should totally check it out’ kind of way. I’m not special enough for people to copy or to look to as influential, I’m simply honest in my opinions about things, in the hope that others might (hopefully) find them helpful.

I love checking out the recommendations of the people I follow too. From books to beauty products, to where to shop or eat, my horizons have been broadened by having access to so many recommendations. We’re all aware of the negative connotations surrounding recommendations led by ads, gifted product and affiliate links (did I mention them all!?) but not once has it ever negatively effected me. I love every account I follow, be it an ordinary, business or fellow creator account. I see everyone I follow as a friendly face, and I rate integrity. For that reason, I don’t care whether a post has been influenced by a brand, because I know that it’s a genuine recommendation regardless.

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