SA celebs show that Instagram life isn’t what it seems, the message is important

by Tyler Leigh Vivier@tylerleighv 584 0
Women Abuse - Instagram social media
Photo Cred: On File | Supplied

SA celebs are changing the conversation around Instagram and their perceived glamorous lives. They did this to show that life is more than “perfect”.

 

Influencers seem to be living their best lives, always on holiday, always wearing the latest trends and always doing the coolest things at the trendiest places. These constant images of the “perfect life” are warping what the youth think life is really like.

As part of a Youth Day challenge, Jo Lurie decided to challenge South African celebs to drop the filter and show what life behind the lens is really like.

While Youth Day may be over, the message is still an important one. SA celebs didn’t disappoint and some truly bared it all for the cause. They discussed depression, feeling like failures as parents and the price of living the perfect Instagram life. Take a look at some of the post below.

Before I saw this #thegramsham timeline I was asked why I think I have to go through everything alone. From my mother’s death to the trauma of the past nine months. Now, two accidents (none caused by me) and a recent armed robbery have left me grabbing each moment like it could be my last with these precious people. My job is to entertain, make light of things. Lately it takes a real effort to do that. I am back in therapy because I am a weird combination of exhausted and on edge and I am looking for answers. For the first time this week I have taken on a more active role with the kids and I have felt like I must have been an absent parent all along. I kept messing up their schedules this week. Shortly after I took this picture I had to get them all to bed because we had work to do. Afia begged me to sleep with her, Lesedi started crying for a cupcake and Bonsu was upset I got his book request wrong. Without dad there I would have been in real trouble. To make things worse I felt bad to be working at home when they expect more time with me and I am busy chasing deadlines. We are all trying. We are all human. Instagram is just a collection of the sparks we collect along the way. 🤗❤️

A post shared by Tumi M*r*ke (@tumi_morake) on

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This is me 5 months postpartum. I manage to wash my hair maybe twice a week, dry-shampoo is my best friend, I’m getting limited sleep, my belly is still flabby AF, my boobs are riddled with stretch-marks and if I’m completely honest I’m struggling to balance work and Mom life. It’s tough. The reason I’m sharing this? Because it’s an honest reflection of motherhood and my current life. My friend @thejolurie posted some pretty epic words and challenged us to post something authentic on #YouthDay. Why? Because people are literally killing themselves over #TheGramSham – a snapshot of a fabulous life we think we should have. Or how we should look. Don’t forget: Instagram is literally a snapshot. It’s not the full picture. Love yourself! You’re doing a great job.

A post shared by Roxy Burger (@roxyburger) on

Imagine starting your weekend with over 30K in your bank account then waking up Monday morning with this bank balance? Here’s a little story I hope will inspire someone: About 5 or 6yrs ago I was one of the main anchors of the country’s biggest live teen variety show. At this time I was also main cast in a prime time weekly drama series that aired on the national broadcaster, the “makings of a teen idol” as my PR bio would read if I were Selena Gomez or Miley 😜. My personal life seemed to flourish as well, I’d just purchased my 1st car, acquired a bond towards a loft apartment in one of JHB’s northern suburbs, well on my trajectory towards success. I made a few friends in showbizz whom I loved because they made me feel famous, like I’m some kind of big deal. I was deeply insecure and a people pleaser – yeah, strange right? Me? INSECURE?! One random afternoon a payment of over 30K came into my bank account from a random job, common practice in this here business, and the first thing I did was call up a few friends. Three of us linked up that weekend living the time of our lives with bottles of bubbly, clubs, hotels and strippers. Monday morning I had to report to set and as I swiped at the service station this was the notification text of my bank balance. I spent all day recalling what I’d spent all that money on, how I’m going to cover my bills and why the fuck was I so irresponsible? I later found out why: I wanted to fit into a realm and level I hadn’t reached yet, I let a bunch of hype words get to my head, I wanted to showcase a “lifestyle” on my gram, I wanted those friends to think I lived that way daily. It’s years later, I’ve kept this SMS as motivation to get up in the morning, as the reason I will work 3 jobs at a time, as a reminder to stay in my lane and walk at my pace because I will never have R22 left in my bank account trying to impress and be liked. This app is but a granule of our realities, shall I remind you that what glitters isn’t always gold. PS: I’m a lot older and wiser now, I still like nice things, I have a little more than R22 in my account for this weekend- don’t worry😂🤷🏽‍♂️ #HappyYouthDay #Thegramsham

A post shared by 🎬🎥🎭❤️ (@lumkojohnson) on

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#TheGramSham This picture was taken November 2016 at my cousins wedding. A joyous day. It was also the 1 day I fought tears the hardest and failed dismally (you can see it on my face). I truly should have been front and centre celebrating my Big Sisters special day. I struggled to sit through the church service. Struggled to dance in the street as we do at weddings. When the MC was running late, she asked me to step in and the thought of that broke me completely and I fell apart. Why? My heart was raw and naturally I was thinking of my Hubby who passed a mere 4 months prior. Yes, you see me smiling. Yes, you see me laughing. Yes, I look like "everything is alright". Truth? The heart bleeds and the tears flow. One thing is for sure…You learn to LIVE WITH IT. The clock keeps ticking and one must keep marching forward, otherwise you get stuck in a black hole. Life is a blessing and it is there to be lived…to the full. Our life experiences vary at most and they are there to shape us. Peace. #ImperfectlyPerfect #HappyYouthDay @thejolurie

A post shared by Letshego Zulu (@letshego.zulu) on

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In honour of Youth Day, @thejolurie suggested the #TheGramSham to show that curated social media isn't always authentic! Funny thing is I feel anxious to even press "post" and it's taken me all day to actually do it! I even wanted to put a filter on this 🤦🏼‍♀️. I wasn't sure what to post … Do I post how I still have 10kgs to lose and my "baby" is now ONE! I can't say I've "just had a baby" anymore… BUT I decided not to post about my weight because I've lost 12kgs so far and Im bloody proud! I'm also learning to be kinder to myself – it's a work in progress. I was scrolling through my photos and found this…I didn't take it for this post… It was an accident pic – but how apt because it showed my exhaustion, no make up, dirty hair and I'm not smiling at all! It made me think: I'm known as Little Miss Sunshine! I've had criticism for "always being too happy." I'm not always – I just choose what I share online and what I don't! I might be a positive person in general, but I am not always happy – let's get real! To be really honest, I've struggled balancing being a Mom and my career. I am incredibly hard on myself and beat myself up with Mom Guilt all. the. time! Being a Mom is HARD… But I feel bad to say that because if you admit it, you're accused of being ungrateful for being a Mom to a healthy baby! I wanted to post this to remind others AND myself that no matter what: YOU ARE ENOUGH! More than enough!

A post shared by Bailey Schneider (@baileyschneiderza) on

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REAL TALK: #TheGramSham This photo was taken on 26 February this year. I knew I had to document it, because I was at the lowest point I’d ever been in my life: •I had a beautiful healthy baby girl, who had colic and wouldn’t sleep. •My three-year old had regressed with his potty training and behaviour at school. I felt like I’d failed as a mother EVERY SINGLE DAY. •Our beloved nanny, who had been with us since James was 8 weeks old was dying of TB. •The TV show that I loved to work on wasn’t renewed and I was heartbroken. •My hair was falling out and I couldn’t bear to look at the mess I was in the mirror. I thought I always had to be strong and that I had to do everything on my own. It ate me up for months. On this day, I decided to ask for help and my whole life changed. With the support of Chris, my mom and a few dear friends I made it through this dark patch and I can now look at this picture and see how far I’ve come. Every day is still a decision to focus on the good stuff. Getting back into training and eating healthier made a big difference. Don’t suffer alone. Get help. And DON’T believe everything you see on The Gram! Thank you @thejolurie for encouraging us to show the real stuff too. ❤️

A post shared by Rozanne McKenzie (@rozmckinsta) on

Thankfully, the movement isn’t over. People are encouraged to keep posting their stories throughout the month of June.

Sources: Twitter / Instagram
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About the Author

Tyler Leigh Vivier is a writer for Good Things Guy.

Her passion is to spread good news across South Africa with a big focus on environmental issues, animal welfare and social upliftment. Outside of Good Things Guy, she is an avid reader and lover of tea.

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