Girls, are Instagram models inspiring to you or do they make you feel insecure/bad about yourself?

Question

I honestly don't see how any good can come out of girls following Instagram models. It has been found that Increased feelings of envy are significantly related to decreased feelings of life satisfaction and self-esteem for women who use social media, such as Instagram (Cretti, 2015). Furthermore, Instagram usage negatively influences women’s appearance-related concerns and beliefs, leading to feelings of depression and anxiety (Fardouly et al., 2017).

I am curious, do you find following Instagram models inspiring, or do they make you feel insecure and bad about yourself? I am directing this questions towards girls, but guys can feel free to comment as well.

LiveCuriosity · Accepted Answer

From my experience, I only use instagram to upload photograph of what i find beautiful it might be a place, flowers, animals structure etc. I dont focus the topic of my ig just about how I look but how i find beautiful. I can't really say those models pushed us to be self conscious but i really think it's us who control what to feel. I just followed people that i know not celebrities or models coz I have a sister who stalk celebrities all day long. I find celebrities interesting and beautiful too but I don't push myself to give them the attention that i should be giving to other
more important things in my life. If you want to be inspired watch ted , many people out there dont just promote products but have experienced what you could be experiencing and they can inspire you using their words not pictures of themselves.

cryasf · Accepted Answer

It makes me feel bad tbh. I feel like I have to have an hourglass body, I have to keep up with the trends, I have to spend all my money on fake 30 inch Brazilian hair. Especially since girls are so competitive, we always want to be the female who is winning. That’s bad for kids growing up because instead of looking realistic we try to look fake because society teaches us to. Society teaches us that you have to have big Kylie Jenner lips, or you need to wear a waist trainer to have Kim Kardashian’s stomach. It’s all fake! And it depresses girls my age.

Lee06 · Accepted Answer

Instagram models don’t bother me a lot. If I see a picture come across of a pretty girl, I think: Damn, she’s way prettier than me. Or wow, she has bigger breasts than me, she must get a lot of attention from guys. In those moments I feel slightly envious, but I just move on with my day. I can look in the mirror and say, shit I’m unattractive, but I’ll just shrug and forget about it. So yes, Instagram models make me aware that I look worse than them but I don’t really let it bother or influence me

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

It sucks that social media can discourage anyone even men, it can take a toll on relationships and someone's confidence.
I've been noticing that it discourages some females even myself from time to time. Seeing someone with the ideal body and then seeing men fall head over heels for them.
It's 50/50 for me cause I find some girls I follow on there inspiring and motivate me to work out and with the whole women empowerment movement.

Nexovous · Accepted Answer

Well, i would think it to be naive to allow yourself to be envious of someone on that basis. When you break it down it takes them time to do those and most have professional level photographers on hand and makeup artists who if you didn't pick up on are professionals in their fields and a setting is selected along with lighting and angles to ensure that the picture is of the highest quality and looks fantastic. Unless all the girls in an envious rage have that on hand themselves how could they compete? So, in conclusion it is naive to consider this to be a reasonable thing to be envious about given the circumstances.

VegetaSSB · Accepted Answer

I agree with you that no good can come from following instagram models, if anything it will make you feel bad about yourself, will tend to hold yourself to extremely high standards and so on.

Hannah591 · Answer

Neither really. The only thing I wish I had was their lifestyle - living in a hot country and being able to do fuck all every day. :') I follow art accounts and things so I'm rarely exposed to this.

Their bodies are usually photoshopped or simply taken at a flattering angle. I am happy with who I am as a person, working hard in education and to have a meaningful career, something these models usually can't say they have done. The most meaningless life to have is to simply be pretty and to live off a rich man's money and be their little servant. That's not a life I'd want to live. They're usually not nice people and don't have very nice personalities. They're visually appealing but having a conversation with them would likely be a nightmare.

shephardjhon · Answer

Modeling is a JOB. It is very hard work and they get paid well for it. Please stop stressing over it. Because you may do something else for work, you can't and should never try to compete with them, unless you want their job and not yours.
This is why I highly disagreed with the one nurse or chemist in a modeling contest recently. I was of the opinion that the nurse should remain in the hospital, the chemist in her lab and the models , whose jobs these women took away when they entered the contest, should be on a runway, photo-shoot or gym.

wolecollner · Answer

I think that women have looked up to models since long before Instagram, it just made them more accessible. These girls aren't unhealthy on Instagram so it isn't an unhealthy thing to want to look like them. While it's not practical for everyone to look like that, you should still try and stay fit and healthy for many reasons.

On a similar note, I am on Pinterest a lot looking at men's fashion and hairstyles and such, the models for that are chiseled muscle gods and it's not realistic for me to look like that but to me it drives me to want to look better than I do. Not in a "I hate how I am" kind of way but in a "i know I can be better" way. I am 6 foot 2 and 230 pounds, I weight 25 lbs over the recommended weight for my height and activity level. I want to get healthier because it's good for me and I will be more attractive to more women (biologically).

JSmuve · Answer

Instasluts are fucking fine but they've got no personality. I wouldn't wanna be with some broad that spends her time trying to get the perfect pose and the perfect angle for her followers that she doesn't even know. Give me a chick with a down to earth personality instead of an up her own ass one. But still, they're fine as fuck.

toolazyforausername · Answer

It's inspiring to me but occasionally I do feel insecure but I just use that insecurity as motivation to improve myself. I tend to follow the models who are naturally beautiful though. I'm not a makeup fan (a little bit of natural makeup is alright, i'm talking full face here).

Annie_Mosity · Answer

Inspiring? No. They've got posed photos that are photoshopped to hell.

Instagram is a bizarre place. It's all fake. Fake followers, fake accounts, fake likes... It's a pit of self centred, filtered selfie narcissism. People with low self esteem should avoid it... Apart from the dog and cat accounts. They rule. Follow my dog!

XRabbitHeartX · Answer

Personally I am neutral. I do not follow Instagram models nor really search for them. But sometimes I do come across them on my feed. The thing is they edit their photos to perfection, they wear tons of make up and they do all the right angling and poses to make their body look different. Plus they often wear skimpy or trashy clothing which yes, will make them look hot but that is CHEAP attention. I do not find them inspiring.

bente2 · Answer

When I was younger all I thought was “i want to look like that!”. I wanted to be like them.

As I got older, I started seeing through the fakeness and used that knowledge to my advantage. I now see those pics and think
“That’s a good pose.”
“That’s a good look.”
“That make-up popping.”
So I guess in a way, I still sorta want to be like them, but in my own way.

Lia-chan · Answer

I think it depends on the person.
I, personally, find it inspiring.
You kinda know they all use filters and Photoshop to look flawless, so I don't envy them.
But I do respect those who show themselves in their true light, not carrying about their imperfections.😊

azzntittiz · Answer

I honestly do not care and it doesn't affect my self esteem, what do I want to look like someone else for, do I also have to live her life, do her job, walk her dog and fuck her boyfriend.. wait is he hot? but anyway, stop making your own head hurt for no reason.

bubble_tea · Answer

I guess I kind of feel bad that I don't wish to spend hours everyday taking pics of myself and carefully select the best one and shop it to perfection just so my 'fans' can take a split second look at it, like it and forget it the next second when they look at the next hundred pics of the day of the other models they follow.

Nobodyx · Answer

I follow a few who inspire me and show a lot of positivity. Their body types look kind of similar to mine and they're proud of it so it makes me feel better. Like Sonny Turner and Megan Jayne Crabbe.

SmartGirl92 · Answer

I follow ones who do inspire me. Like plus-size insta models rocking their curves. There’s nothing wrong with being thin though. It’s just easier for me to feel motivated and/or inspired when someone has a body easily obtainable to me. Even if I were to diet like crazy or exercise daily, I’m never gonna be skinny. My body just isn’t meant to look that way, which is OK. As long as I’m healthy & happy, what else matters?

Aleera · Answer

Personally they mostly make me feel bad about myself. It's not really their fault. It's just that I'm in a bad place with my confidence because I've gained 10 kg in like a year or so and I'm not used to seeing myself like this. And I always try but never actually commit to losing weight. It's definitely my fault.

lumos · Answer

I only follow a few influencers (do they count as models?)
They inspire me because they seem like really kind people. I also really like fashion, so looking at what they put on is really cool, and an easy way to pick up on some trends. I’m a pretty secure person so I rarely compare myself to others or feel like I’m not good enough.

lilaqua · Answer

I don't care. I don't really see them as real people because I know how much effort goes into a single photo, surgery, makeup, posing, lighting, so in most situations they look very different to what they would normally. Even then I'm happy with my body, sure i'm not as tanned or toned, but I'd rather have soft feminine edges and pale skin anyway. Their clothes and fashion is also not particularly interesting.

Randomawkwardness · Answer

Seeing women on the internet being the definition of perfection has not only lowered my self esteem more than it should be, but now any pictures I take, I only see flaws. I'm not blaming them for it, if I had a body and face like they did I would be taking pictures and posting at least once a day.

angelgirl7 · Answer

They make me horrible about myself.
I don't follow any but sometimes I see them on the explore page. It makes me feel like I'm not pretty enough but also I feel very jealous and like I'm not experiencing enough. I realize that beautiful pictures of themselves, their friends, their lives, their vacations are all their highlight reel but it still makes me feel insecure and envious.

LovingZombi · Answer

They aren't really doing anything inspiring in my opinion... If they make art and are good at it then ill follow them.. but following someone based off of looks isnt----doesnt feel right to me. I want to follow someone who understands issues in the world and creates thing inspiring to show moral background

6oddessly · Answer

ig models help me find good angles ,,,&i dont think the models themselves cause people to have low self esteem - it’s more likely they’re already insecure & this just fuels their lack of self love - if ur not able to handle looking other people either block them or dont go on instagram 💁🏽‍♀️💁🏽‍♀️

yellowmamba024 · Answer

Definitely both. The case for feeling bad/insecure is quite obvious. Not much explanations needed.
Now the case for inspiration: I see girls saying "goals" on profiles of Instagram models very often. Instagram models are one of many reasons why more and more girls go to the gym, along with doing yoga, pilates, kickboxing, etc.

TadCurious · Answer

The typical Insta model isn't the type of girl I'm most attracted to. Typically they wear way too much makeup that just looks bad. And they seem to also typify the "bubble butt" thing that I think has gotten ridiculous. I'm most attracted to the "girl next door" type of girl, the kind that look like normal, healthy regular girls you meet in real life.

Pikachula · Answer

I was inspired by some fitnessmodels, but I've come to know that many aren't what they seem. Making their butts bigger just by making poses which even make my butt look extralarge..

+ I don't get how instance like Sofia jamora can have a size 32 while having a butt that big. I gained 6 kgs and already went up to size 32 because I couldn't get those 32 pants over my thighs anymore. she's also curvy but size 32 at the same time , It's magic to me..

Lgmswolf024 · Answer

They make be free that I have to have a certain body type, certain eye colours etc. To be pretty. No they do not inspire me what so ever. They make me feel like s h i t. Boys say they want a natural girl but they're fake. They also make me feel like I have to look a certain way (coughcoughfakeandlotsofmakeupcoughcough) to be attractive.

Blonde401 · Answer

Neither. At the end of the day they’re all surgically or photoshop enhanced (usually both). So I’m not gonna feel bad about something that isn’t ‘God’ given. Also I’ve no desire to look like these girls.

Aeleen · Answer

No because first of all I think that their photos are photoshopped. Secondly, I have gone through the feelings of envy. I see their bodies and no fat at all! And then I see mine even after soo much workout sessions my body isn't nearly as perfect as theirs.

Just_Me89 · Answer

Neither, I think they're just arrogant people who need to find something else to do with their time than doing themselves up for hours before taking 300 selfies before deciding which on they want to use and them spend another good chunk of time editing them before posting them for people to tell them how wonderful they are.

Dan_cColt · Answer

Honestly, it doesn't bother me, but I'm not a woman.. but I can see how it might. I think people are more envious of their lifestyles than wanting to look like them. Plus I'm not gonna lie and say they don't look good, but it's not the real world and everyone knows it.

archiz · Answer

A bit of both
I like tobl see what they re wearing and where they re going and eating haha
To get some ideas
But yea they re also very attractive and mainly fake 😂🤷🏿‍♀️
So is their lifestyle most of the time

MelaninDoll · Answer

Inspired to take care of my body. Girls shouldn't have to stop posting pictures of themselves on Instagram just because some ones feelings might get hurt because they don't look like that. Like bitch fucking work out, take care of your own damn body and while you're at it work on your mental health since someone eleses body seems to trigger you.

BRAPcel · Answer

Imagine getting depressed because people look better than you, what is wrong with them?

t3hhottdawg · Answer

I'm generally quite an confident person, but I do know that when I see there beautiful women living seemingly perfect lives I get a bit envious. Although I'm friends with a girl who would be considered 'insta famous' and I know the life she portrays on Instagram is completely different to her normal one.

SarahsSummer · Answer

I’m more inclined to look at work out, excersise and motivational type posts than the endless myriad of vapid pretty things in bathing suits basing their entire net worth on how many followers they can garner.

10dsw · Answer

Really interesting replies here.

I read another interesting study that noted that IG is most correlated with narcissism in young women - with the explanation being that many women become narcissistic as a defense mechanism.

silvermoon84 · Answer

They have no effect on me. Yes they're beautiful but so am I and so is every woman in her own way, but admittedly if I were about thirteen years younger I would probably be bothered by it because I was very insecure at that age

SirenDep · Answer

Your question inspired me to write a Take! Check it out

Prettygurl12 · Answer

I follow fitness pages on instagram and since I have the same body type as most of the women, I find them inspiring because a week of their little exercise posts and I look like them so... yeah. But I totally see your point, too.

pingiluv · Answer

Not really because I’m older than most of these “models” and I had my prime already. So I don’t see why I need to compare myself to them. Plus I think Instagram models are a joke unless they have over a quarter of a million followers

keenybmr · Answer

Watch this :)

SirRexington · Answer

I would hope nobody is inspired by these women nor do they feel insecure about. These women are not pretty most of the time.

PrincessProtection · Answer

I like who I am, how I look, etc. I don’t find any inspiration from anything on Instagram much less a model—nothing against these women but I don’t draw inspiration from people I don’t know or trust

PrincessPie · Answer

I feel neither, but they definitely do not inspire me

SpiderManFan2002 · Answer

Honestly, I don't care.
They're doing their thing, who are we to call them fake?
Would you call a brainy girl fake just because she's smarter than most people?
No. So why call a model fake just because she's prettier than most people?

Caaarl · Answer

I don't see it being a positive thing for most women. It's weird how guts are so different a lot of guys would probably be surprised by following people like Athetles who have a ton of money and gets tons of women.

Toxic00n · Answer

Tbh girls like this are free to do whatever they want. And to be extremely honest, being famous online or looking as attractive as they aren't my goal or appealing to me at all. Being that attractive comes with a lot of benefits yes; But body shape like theirs need constant attention, they have to face harassment, people sexualizing them etc.. And I wouldn't do so many efforts physically, for fame.

ShortCircuit · Answer

I think Instagram models are diverse enough that if you can't find one that's an achievable role model for you, it's likely because you're so neurotic that you subconsciously filter them out.

Glass_Cat · Answer

I already think I’m ugly and unfeminine so they can’t make me feel worse or better, they are the breed of women that the certain era likes the most so good for them.

Flowerchild101 · Answer

Not at all inspiring. I still have issues comparing myself to those I see that seems to just have perfect things, but then I just unfollowed those that made me feel insecure.

fauchelevent · Answer

Neither. I’m not inspired by them but they definitely don’t make me feel upset or bad about my own body.

Malita55 · Answer

They are unrealistically skinny to have unrealistic body types, which although I’m in great shape and I think I look good, it does make me feel bad sometimes like I need to be skinner

oreodair · Answer

I don’t really follow instagram models; I follow runway models, normal models & actresses. They inspire me because they’re doing what I want to do. I’d love to be a model and/or actress someday.

CarpetDenim · Answer

I don’t use Instagram and if I did I certainly wouldn’t waste my time on models

Salmon4056 · Answer

They don't make me feel insecure. I just be like " oh my gosh!! She's so pretty" and like their post. I just admire that one's beauty

Logorithim · Answer

No woman should be insecure because of another woman.

Dutchman90 · Answer

These skinny models are making me appreciating my gf's looks even more!

livelove143 · Answer

I don't look up to any woman you body is a gift from god love it

Goodwifie · Answer

They scream high maintenance to me at a higher cost.  Puts out a standard look that can not be achieved without a high price.

Bgurl2_0 · Answer

Both. They inspire me to want that body, but at the same time, they make feel insecure because it makes me think that my body's ugly.

NicoleThePotato · Answer

Eh, I think they're all thots who want attention. But if you find them Inspiring, then hey, you do you. Be inspired by whoever.

lostgirl_searching · Answer

They don't inspire me or make me feel insecure or bad about myself.. But I use to follow some for fashion since I'm mixing my style edgy and girly.

Girls, are Instagram models inspiring to you or do they make you feel insecure/bad about yourself?

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Does seeing pretty Instagram girls make you insecure?

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