Social Media is a religion and humans are the followers of its trends. We are so captivated by what is trending that we forget what we truly love. This thought came to my mind when I was thinking about what to write next. I was discussing with my husband the recent trends when he interrupted the train of my thoughts. He told me to write what is close to my heart, what I loved the most. Not what I have to write because of the trend, but rather what I want to write. This simple conversation shed light on what was on my mind for too long.
In recent years, the rise of social media has given birth to a new breed of celebrities known as influencers. There are around 3.2 million to 37.8 million influencers in the world as of 2023. These influencers have amassed millions of followers, brand collaborations, and a seemingly glamorous lifestyle. Who does not like being a trendsetter? Wee everyone sure loves glamour, but at what cost?
However, behind the perfectly curated Instagram feeds and YouTube vlogs lies a dark side that is often overshadowed. This blog will reveal influencers’ hidden struggles and the price they pay for internet popularity.
The Glamorous Illusion
Being an influencer seems like a dream come true, right? The fame, the followers, the freebies – it all looks so glamorous from the outside. But let me tell you, it’s not all sunshine and rainbows.
Sure, influencers may get showered with products and invites to exclusive events, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Behind the perfectly curated Instagram feed lies a constant struggle to maintain a flawless image. Every outfit, every meal, every selfie is meticulously planned and edited to fit the illusion of a ‘perfect’ life. And let’s not forget the hours spent capturing that one ‘candid’ moment. I would like to remind you that no one wakes up with eyeliner, perfect hair, and pink lips. People who know the truth about social media would agree with me here.
But what happens when the camera turns off? When the filters come down and the real-world creeps in? That’s when the pressure starts to build. The pressure to constantly perform, to please the followers, to stay relevant. It’s a never-ending cycle of content creation and engagement tracking. Doesn’t it feel exhausting to be fake all the time? There are many cases where the influencers have lost touch with themselves and have become plastics.
The Constant Pressure to Perform
Now tell me why do you go on a vacation? For leisure, right? Nope! Not for influencers! Right from the hotel room to every little spot visited, everything has to be posted by the influencers for their followers. Even when on a vacay, influencers cannot relax as they constantly have to post updates about their tour. OOTD (Outfit of the Day), the links to those outfits, the travel plans, and whatnot. Every detail has to be shared. So much for relaxing!! And so much for the privacy!!
There is this constant pressure on the influencers to keep posting throughout the day. A day without a post is equal to losing thousands of followers. This pressure keeps building up and eventually leads to mental burnout and other issues.
Dealing With High Risk of Failure
When starting out as an influencer, it is very tough. The competition is quite high and it is difficult to keep going. If you are planning to be a full-time influencer, then it gets hard not only on your mental health but also on your physical health.
You put all your time and efforts into such work that may or may not yield money. Yes, you are strong and you keep going. But for how long? Every other day the algorithm changes and you find yourself as a newbie again. Isn’t that frustrating? But hey! You are strong and you still keep going. Now the trend has changed. You try to adapt to the new trends, again like a newbie. Still wanna go strong? Keep going, you may or may not have results.
People should be aware of the rise and fall of the influencers market. If it is a side hustle, then it does not affect much. But when you are a full-time influencer, the road is rough.
Facing the Trolls and Hate
Ah, the joys of being an influencer. The fame, the fortune, the endless stream of trolls and hateful comments. Yes, being in the spotlight comes at a price, and that price is dealing with keyboard warriors who thrive on your life.
Oh, and let’s not forget the good old internet trolls. They crawl out from under their bridges, armed with snarky insults and an unlimited supply of negativity, just waiting to attack. They’ll criticize your appearance, your opinions, and even your choice of breakfast cereal.
Kuch to log kahenge, logon ka kaam hai kehna! (People will say something, it is the job of the people to say!) However, you can’t ignore people every day. There comes a moment when it hurts right at the center of your heart. So, influencers aren’t all sunshine and rainbows. It’s like walking through a hateful minefield. How much worth is it, really?
Conclusion
If you are thinking that I am against being an influencer, you got me wrong buddy! I love the influencers! I am just making everyone aware of the price it comes with. Being an influencer takes a lot of courage and I applaud all those out there. Every profession has a dark side, and it is inevitable.
What are your views on this? Let’s continue this in the comments!
Nicely written Nikita. Indeed it was good endeavor to make aware people of both pros and cons of being influencer and how social media is affecting our lives.