Why I REFUSE To Use Story Filters on Instagram
Why I REFUSE to Use Story Filters on Instagram
I want to start a conversation about something I haven't heard anyone mention yet. It's a topic I'm very passionate about.
The effects that using filters on Instagram stories can have on our confidence.
The Role of Confidence in Our Lives
Confidence shapes so many things:
How big we make our goals.
How we interact with others.
Our mental health.
Having confidence is essential for so many things in our lives. The more confident we are:
The bigger we dream.
The happier we are because we aren't as worried about what others are thinking of us which can be so crippling.
We are more likely to try something new.
Our self worth is healthier.
Our mental health is more stable.
Our relationships are stronger. For example, if you're not confident in your own skin, that could affect your sex life and in turn, also affect how connected you are with your partner.
How I Noticed a Filter on My Phone Was Affecting Me
Let me tell you a story.
When I was using my Samsung, I didn't realize I had set my camera setting to be 25% skin smoothing since I'd had that phone for a couple of years.
Then, when I switched to an iPhone in 2019, I thought - WTF! Did my skin always look like this?
I ended up over-analyzing myself in the mirror and when I went onto Instagram stories, I was judging myself and it actually made me show up less.
Then I had a choice. I could:
A. Start using filters.
B. Go back to my Samsung but that would be the same thing as using filters with the setting I had.
C. Consciously choose to show up as I actually look to empower myself and those that follow me to be confident as we are!
I chose C.
I could have gone down a dangerous path. Instead, I made a choice which had such a great benefit and I don't even pay attention to that anymore! Now I see myself as I look naturally!
Why We Use Filters on Instagram Stories
So, you know those Instagram filters that are meant to be used to have fun? The ones where you're suddenly wearing sunglasses or pretending you're in the middle of the jungle or even the cosmic-looking ones? When they first came out, I noticed people mostly playing around and having fun. As soon as filters with make-up and a ton of skin-smoothing appeared, I started noticing people using them more and more when showing up on video. And I saw this as a dangerous path!
Some of you may argue, “But Sara, you put presets and filters on your work!”
Yes, I totally get it! But I see that differently. I see editing images as creating more of an art piece and helping the eye focus on where we want it to go in the photo. As you guys may have noticed in my work, I try keeping things as natural as possible, the way we'd naturally see it with our own eyes.
To me, using filters on Instagram stories seems like it's basically the same thing as when you put make-up on. The more make-up you wear, the less confident you feel without it on. It becomes a crutch you lean on and you end up needing it to feel confident.
This is a reason why I rarely wear make-up and when I do it's minimal. I don't want to depend on make-up to feel beautiful.
So now that Instagram has introduced the option of creating your own filters and letting others use them, I'm noticing so many more people using them on their stories now when they are speaking to the camera. While these filters seem innocent and artsy, guess what? A lot of them have so much skin smoothing built-in!
Not only do they smooth out the skin but the temperature of the filters is warmer which makes everyone look more tanned. And as we all know, most people say they feel better about themselves when they are tanned since they have that glow.
If this sounds relatable, I'm saying all this with compassion. Just because someone is using a filter doesn't mean that their confidence levels are low, I can't assume that. But I'm just looking out because I love you guys and I want you to be aware of what using filters can subconsciously do to self-confidence.
When people use filters on Instagram stories, it could be one of the following reasons:
They are having fun with it and feel like it excites their creative side.
They consciously know that they feel more confident with the filter so they use it.
They don't know that they feel more confident with the filter but are feeling a low confidence level at that moment so they subconsciously choose to use it.
Take a moment to ask yourself right now, why do you use a particular filter when you show up on a video on Instagram stories?
Get honest with yourself! And whatever comes up for you, guess what, it's neither good nor bad. It just is.
Part of feeling at peace with ourselves is to be the observer of our thoughts and emotions rather than believing that we ARE those thoughts and emotions.
Just so you can see what I mean, let's do a little exercise.
Say the following:
I'm not good enough
By saying this, you're identifying and believing that it's a part of you and who you are at that moment and you feel sad and down.
Now say:
I notice that I'm feeling like I'm not good enough, or
I notice that a thought just passed and it said "I'm not good enough"
Can you feel the difference here?
The second way of phrasing it helps you feel more detached from that made-up identity and you can look at that feeling more objectively and consciously choose if you're going to let it go or let it consume you.
Now that you have some insight into how you're actually feeling about the matter and if you're feeling low confidence which is the reason behind you using filters, let me show you that you are not alone.
Many times during my one-on-one mentoring sessions, I get asked about how to attract ideal clients. One of the things I mention that is part of my strategy is to show up real and raw on Instagram stories. And sometimes I notice people feeling uncomfortable and saying things like:
I'm self-conscious about my skin.
I don't like the way my lip folds when I'm talking.
I'm noticing I have new wrinkles and I'm getting self-conscious about that.
You get the gist. And this makes me so sad. All I can think of is - the more everyone shows up with filters, the more everyone else will feel a self-imposed pressure to show up like that as well and that's a part of how this whole low self-confidence epidemic is created!
And I'm not being dramatic here. This is how these things start! It's a compound effect!
But let me ask you this…
What if we all just showed up more raw?
More people would feel like it's ok to show up as is, and don't we all just crave more of that anyway?!
You're most likely here right now because you've been following me for a while now and have been able to relate to me as a human through my Insta stories since I show up in all sorts of ways. Whatever I look like that day is how I show up.
I understand it can be scary. But really, what are you afraid of? Judgement? Guess what? People are judging you anyway. Right now. With the filters.
Would you rather be judged for something you're not that will end up affecting your self-confidence?
OR
Would you rather be judged for you feeling empowered to show up as YOU, and growing more and more confident each day because of it?
Remember the mantra I mentioned in episode 2 of my Shine + Thrive podcast? "No matter what I do, people will love me".
Say that and realize it's true! What do you have to lose? You have so much more to gain! More real relationships online and meaningful conversations. On top of that, you'll be empowering others to show up as they are too. The world needs more of that right now especially with the highlight reels on Instagram.
Final Thoughts on Reality vs. Filters on Instagram Stories
I believe we need to hold on to some of our current reality because it's so beautiful, just as it is!
I get these thoughts as the world is becoming so digital. I'm worried we will get to a place where the world won't be satisfying enough to simply enjoy the way it looks naturally. Will everything need a filter?
Can you tell I'm a thinker? This is where my mind goes daily. I love to question everything.
Because in the end, the WHY behind what we do is so important since every action and decision can build our confidence or break it down. A high confidence level can be worked towards by being self-aware about WHY you're taking the actions you're taking. Are they to stay true to yourself or to please someone else, or fit in? Like I said in the beginning, having high confidence is so important because:
It affects how big we dream.
How we interact with others.
Our mental health.
So I invite you to be more self-aware the next time you're thinking about putting on a filter. Ask yourself, WHY am I doing this?
I hope this helped you. If it did, please let me know by sending me a DM on Instagram (@saramonikaphoto). If you know someone who would like this too, share this blog with them or send them the link to the podcast episode!
Love you guys and thank you so much for reading!
with love + gratitude,
Sara Monika
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