A Note To Bloggers: Be Real and Be Responsible…

Last week, a gorgeous friend of mine, Lulu Adams, who is a fitness instructor and all-round beautiful soul, wrote this post on social media. It really rang a bell with me and with her permission, I’m reposting it here. I think too many Bloggers spend too much time trying to appear “perfect” to their readers, when instead they should be recognising they’re in a position of responsibility. We would love to hear your thoughts on this too! Find out more about Lulu on her new blog here.

There’s been a lot of chatter in the press recently about wellness bloggers admitting the life they project on social media is not quite as true as we may think. Now, I’m totally in support of these girls coming forward, raising their hand and admitting they are struggling with various issues including eating disorders, but I can’t help but feel that rather than JUST rallying round them and giving them the love they need and desire, we need to FOCUS on the powers of social media – and in fact send a strong and powerful message to anyone in a position of responsibility (ie those who young or impressionable people might look up to – so models, personal trainers, food bloggers etc) to send a TRUE message to followers.

• Stop painting a picture that every single day of your life is perfect.
• Stop plastering on make up before your work out and posting selfies claiming to look that hot “post-work out” (it’s bad for your skin to be sweating in that much foundation anyway – I should know, I’ve learnt the hard way!).
• Stop claiming you’re “blessed” every morning as you sip your freshly pressed green juice
• START talking about the struggles you have gone through to get where you are – it makes a much more interesting and inspiring story and in what is becoming a VERY saturated (and dare I say it, slightly yawn-inducing at times) market – it MIGHT just set you apart from every other perfectly groomed, green juice swigging, 24-7 smiling fitness buff out there.

Yes you want to inspire people – but you need to be realistic in the aspirations you are setting for people, youngsters especially. The fitness/wellness industry is incredibly powerful in helping people to turn their lives around, but there is a fine line and you could be encouraging ‘unhealthy’ habits in some searching for ‘unobtainable’ results.

Please THINK before you post. We’ve seen enough avocados on Instagram now – so think, and be different – It’s cool to be different. Embrace your inner geek and STAY TRUE.

Lulu Adams (Photo credit Jason Swain)