It’s no big news that we’ve become savvier than ever in the way we use social media – especially Instagram. Gone are the days of following accounts just because they look pretty, and in are the days of following accounts that add value to our lives in some way or another.
I thought I’d share some of my favourite accounts at the moment. Specifically the accounts that help me find more positivity in my body image and journey to self-acceptance. The accounts that make me feel good, make me feel worthy, and the accounts that are helping to re-wire the way I see food and the way I look.
I hope you find some new faves!
@thebirdspapaya
Sarah from @thebirdspapaya is a mum-of-three from Ontario, Canada.
I adore everything that she uploads – she shares the most beautiful imagery of her body and I really love the way she normalises stretch marks, cellulite and loose skin.
I only started following her a few months ago, but already she’s helped transform the way I see my body, especially the way I see the things that I once considered ‘flaws’. There’s something special about the way she feels like an old friend. I feel completely at home with everything she posts.
Follow her @thebirdspapaya.
@drjoshuawolrich
Josh is an NHS surgical doctor in his thirties who works in a London hospital.
His voice on Instagram is all about fighting the stigma around fatphobia, weight stigma and and, as he so eloquently puts it, ‘nutribollocks’.
I think most of us grew up developing a horrible relationship with food and exercised, based purely on what we saw in magazines, on TV, and the way we heard other people speak – Josh is absolutely helping me repair the way my brain thinks. He’s educating me in having a better relationship with myself and my body and undoing all the mental damage I did when I was younger.
@gracefvictory
I’ve followed Grace for years, and truly consider her to be one of the ‘good eggs’ on social media. I actually really love following her energy over on Twitter as well (if you’re hanging out over there).
She’s a London girl who’s been on that same rollercoaster journey of self-acceptance that most of us are still desperately clinging on to. She documents her therapy sessions, her high street fashion finds and her appreciation for her body.
Grace’s posts ooze inner peace and contentment, and I am absolutely here for the calming vibes that she brings.
Follow her @gracefvictory.
@sophieedwards_tcmp
Sophie is a size 16 twenty-something gal from Sussex who runs a glorious fashion-focused Instagram account.
I’m obsessed with the shiny happy vibes she gives off in her Instagram stories, as well as her commitment to re-wearing clothes she already owns.
Sophie exercises because she enjoys it (rather than to lose weight), and has the most infection smile in her posts. A genuine joy to follow.
Follow her at @sophieedwards_tcmp.
@julesvonhep
I actually met Jules about seven years ago, when I worked at LOOK and he worked for St Tropez as their celeb tanning hero. He’s since launched his own self-tanning line – the infamous Isle of Paradise, and runs a podcast with Sarah Powell.
I love the way Jules is completely open about his body hang-ups, but also the way he makes fun of himself and doesn’t take Instagram too seriously.
Follow him @julesvonhep.
@i_weigh
With more than one million followers, @i_weigh is Jameela Jamil’s second Instagram account which, as she puts it, is part of her ‘revolution against shame’.
I love that the account shares uplifting illustrations and photographs from other creators, artists and brands who are making a difference. It’s a great place to find other, smaller accounts to follow.
Aside from promoting body-acceptance, there’s also a huge emphasis on self-kindness which I think now, more than ever, is incredibly important.
Follow @i_weigh here.
@stylemesunday
There’s nothing I love more than seeing women with bodies that reflect my own filling up my Instagram feed, and Natalie Lee’s account is no different.
She creates the most stunning self portraits, showing boobs and rolls and tummies in all their glory – alongside high street fashion, mum life and the odd bit of travel.
I love the confidence and ‘no fucks given’ approach that oozes out of her account. A bloody breath of fresh air.
Follow her @stylemesunday.
@mollyjforbes
I love the way that Molly describes herself in her Instagram bio as a ‘body happy mum’, and that’s exactly how she comes across.
Expect plenty of unstaged underwear shots, the odd inspirational self-worth quote, and a nice sprinkling of motherhood.
Molly makes you feel completely and utterly boringly normal on an app that can sometimes make you feel the opposite. She’s a ray of sunshine that you’ll love seeing pop up on your feed.