Social media can easily have you thinking that bloggers and influencers have everything together. The reality is we are imperfect and have insecurities just like everyone else. Here a list of three of my biggest blogging insecurities:
Social Media Persona Not Translating to Real Life
This is an insecurity that deals with authenticity, personality and so much more. Social media tells the story you as a creator curate. As a blogger, my Instagram page is planned down to the words and emojis I use in my caption. But how does that come off to others? What do people think of me when they see my page? And more importantly, am I consistent in maintaining that persona not just on social media but in real life?
A common perception the followers of large influencers have about those influencers is that they are going to be different in person than they are on social media. One of the worst things to hear about an influencer you love is that they are be stuck up in person, despite presenting a nice girl next door image on line. I certainly don’t want that to be me. I want to make sure that I am as authentic as possible on social media so that there are no discrepancies when I meet new people at fun events.
How am I working to deal with this insecurity?
A huge part about making sure I am the same in real life as I am on social media is being authentic. In order to be authentic, I need to know who I am. Now, that’s a loaded task, so how exactly do I go about doing that? For one, I read my bible so that I know who I am in Christ. Secondly, I am obsessed with reading my Myers Briggs Personality Type. If you haven’t taken any version of this test, or haven’t done so in recent memory, I highly suggest you do it!
By understanding my personality type I have a firm awareness of my strengths and weaknesses and thus a clearer understanding of how that may translate to my style as a blogger. For example, as an ENTJ one of my biggest flaws is picking up on other’s emotional needs and subtleties. While it is a weakness I am constantly working on, awareness of this weakness informs my content. My posts usually appeal less to emotions, and more to routines and goals which also happen to be a strength of my personality type. This way my content is aligned to my actual personality. With authenticity comes less of those social media-reality discrepancies that I mentioned in my previous section.
Coming Across As Vain, Conceited, or Arrogant
About several weeks ago, in a conversation with friends I expressed my disdain for how some have been using the new Instagram quiz feature. There are always a number of creative ways that bloggers and content creatives utilize Instagram features, but it seemed as if many were using the quizzes as a opportunity to quiz their followers about themselves. Questions like “what’s my favorite color?” or “What is my least favorite food?” in all honestly seemed pointless and a tad bit vain.
I brought my grievances to my friends and they responded with a truth that I didn’t necessarily want to face but have to admit: blogging, YouTubing and Influencing is inherently vain. Now, hear me out. Depending on the type of blogging you are doing, it’s typically about you. Your routines, your hacks, your tips, your outfits, all about you. In sharing them, you may intend to help someone else, but you are sharing your information because you think that you are doing something right—something that other people should pay attention to. I’m sure you’ve heard the running joke and seen the memes about how influencers share info that nobody asked for. So yes, to some extent, blogging is self-centered.
How am I working to deal with this insecurity?
Please and thank you go a long way. So does smiling at that. Seriously though, most people don’t know that although I consider myself an extrovert, I can be very reserved when meeting new people. However when you have a larger platform, or certain credentials, some interpret that as seeming too bougie or hollywood to interact with people. That is certainly not the case but I admit that my chronic RBF certainly does not help me out.
That’s why I try to be as warm and polite as possible when meeting people or interacting with them on social media. A smile does a lot to invite people in. Additionally, genuinely complimenting people and starting conversations that pique others’ interests can help eliminate any perceptions of snootiness and arrogance.
Balancing Inspiration with Originality
It’s important to find inspiration and mentors in any field but especially in blogging. I have plenty of them. I love to watch Jackie Aina for all things beauty and I have been doing so for several year. Ijeoma Kola’s Instagram feed, blog and overall mantra of “combining beauty and brains with style and substance” is something I relate to and aspire to. Pieces of Onye creates some bomb flatlays. All of these women create content that inspire me, and sometimes it can be difficult to find my own voice when I’m often seeking inspiration or guidance from others. How can I be original when it feels like everything that I want to do has already been done?
How am I working to deal with this insecurity?
Originality doesn’t always have to come from being the first person to do something. It can also simply be you doing you. Yes there are plenty of articles, videos, and posts out there about makeup, skincare, and grad school, but nobody else is me (I know that sounds corny.) The only solution for this is getting out of my own head and affirming myself. I’m the only one who has my own experience. It is unique and worth sharing. By the way, thank you for caring enough to read and support!
Two tone denim skirt-Forever 21 (similar)| Short Sleeve Chambray Shirt (similar) | Lace Up Heels – Ego Shoes (similar)
AS A BLOGGER, INFLUENCER, OR CONTENT CREATOR, WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR BIGGEST INSECURITIES?
“Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9
