Why Social Media Isn't Ruining My Life

I recently read an interview with Sam Smith in The Sunday Times, where he said that Instagram made him feel shit. Yes, that Sam Smith. Voice of an angel Sam Smith. Multi-award winning Sam Smith. It got me thinking (in true Carrie Bradshaw style), that if someone who basically lives the dream believes that, then what hope is there for mere civilians? It also made me think about the endless stream of whining from all corners of society about how detrimental scrolling and tweeting and even just merely watching is. So I decided to ask myself 'Is social media ruining my life?', and the only answer that I could come up with was a very resounding 'no'.

Firstly, I should confess to not being on Twitter, so that particular avenue of potential ruination isn't open to me. I only lightly dabble in Pinterest- which I actually find remarkably soothing- although admittedly I have no clue what I'm actually doing on there; and I gave up on Snapchat a long time ago (didn't everyone? Soz Evan). So Instagram is the only bit of S-Med available to me to make me feel as bad as Sam.

Now don't get me wrong. I think the Big Dogs at Facebook HQ are appalling, money-grabbing, irresponsible, manipulative bastards (although I think we can all agree that Eva Chen is lovely).

But does Instagram inherently make me feel shit? NOT.AT.ALL.

Here's for why:- 1) FOMO doesn't bother me one teeny bit. I actively enjoy sitting on my sofa in an old t-shirt and Topshop leggings, enjoying watching beautiful, skinny people hang out on yachts all Summer long precisely because I'm not them. They were born to enjoy that life to the max, I was not.

2) Girls having the best bags and shoes and walk in wardrobes doesn't ruffle my feathers either. They have the money and a severe lack of guilt about treating themselves; I have not much of the former and plenty of the latter. Do I want a Dior Saddlebag and some Acne Manhattans? I sure do. Am I gonna hate on all the gals that have those things just coz I don't? Definitely not. That would be silly. 

I have a friend who is a very well-known journalist. She's interviewed everyone, and partied with proper A-Listers, yet she tells me how happy she is to get home and watch Eastenders whilst eating digestives. The key, it would seem, is keeping a perspective on things.

3) Seeing bloggers on the FROW of shows, doesn't that bug me just a weeny bit? Nah, not that either. I'm actually delighted I'm not there, and even more delighted that I get to see everything via those girls. Instagram actually enhances my life in this instance. I love being digitally transported to events and shows and presentations and getting an amazing view of next season's offerings.

4) Aren't my eyes going squiggly and my brain going to mush from all that screen time? Actually, I don't think they are. I spend vast amounts of time looking at my phone, but I also spend vast amounts of time not looking at it either. I love reading (proper old skool tangible things like books and magazines and newspapers- say whattttt- that you can actually hold and turn the pages of). My idea of heaven is sitting on a hammock, somewhere quiet just reading reading and reading summore. It only takes about twenty minutes to catch up on eight hours of missed scrolling on IG. Just sayin'.

5) Don't I feel depressed at having lots of online friendships that don't spill over into RL? Well, some actually have translated into real life which is amazing. And some haven't. That's fine too. I really love having made friends around the world via Instagram. That is decidedly not my definition of a life ruined but a life enhanced, enriched and for that, I guess I better thank the Big Dogs.

SHOP THE LOOK

Jacket- H&M // Similar- Here

Jeans- Topshop Boutique // Similar- Here

Bag- My Mum's // Similar- Here

Something's Bugging Me

So, I need to get something off my chest. It's a blogging gripe- stay with me kids- that has seeped into Instagram- seemingly on the daily. Even if you're an observer and not a creator (*pompous word alert) you can't fail to have noticed it too. What am I banging on about? Let's cut to the chase here- the thing that is pissing me off is that.....bloggers will not stop asking questions. Now, admittedly this may sound very minor on the general life scale of global warming, terrorism, rising knife crime and the surreal alarmingness of an abnormally dumb orange person running America; but if you are dipping your toe into IG on the regular it may well be bothering the hell out of you too. Essentially, the questions DO.NOT.STOP.COMING. 'What would you like to see?' is the most frequent one (and many variants thereof). And it enrages me. Market research (for that is what it is) is fundamentally the enemy of creativity. I used to work at a glossy fashion magazine- and yes- it was almost exactly like The Devil Wears Prada. (But much much worse). We were constantly indoctrinated with weird maxims to try and make our output more 'suitable'. And one of these has always stuck with me, namely- never ever give the public what they want- give them what they didn't know they wanted. I still totally believe in that premise. Do you think that Alessandro Michele sits around the Gucci office going 'Ok, let's ask a sample group of five thousand customers whether they want a blue printed loafer with pineapples all over it next season, or a pink one with cherries?'. No he does not. He goes with what he feels. He lets his imagination flow. Run wild. Which is why Kering's profits (Gucci's parent company) were up 120% in 2017 and Gucci's sales alone were worth six billion euros. (Hey Google, how you doin').

Now, I totally understand why a YouTuber might wanna know what their audience would be more interested in seeing- a haul or vlog let's say- (although, I think even the cat's mother knows that Zara hauls smash it out the park every time) because, well, it's bloody annoying putting blood, sweat and tears into a video that no-one watches. I get it. But chasing views (or likes on The Gram) is a reductive business. A nice hashtag has popped on IG recently- #postwhatyoulove- and I'm down with that. Not everything can be targeted, and researched and perfectly tailored to appeal to your 'audience'. Literally, stop the insanity. Throw in a curve ball, have the courage of your creative convictions and for the love of God and all that is holy- please stop asking me questions. My brain is over fried with fashion images, new-ins and well, life just generally. I've got nothing for you. Go and pump some poor other bugger for ideas. Actually, don't do that either. Just go with what you feel. It works for Alessandro. 

SHOP THE LOOK

Silk Shirt- Bogdar // Alternative- Here

Cycling Shorts- Topshop // Alternative- Here

Fendi Baguette- My Mum's // Alternative- Here

Necklace- Cinco // Alternative- Here