When Bella Mackie began posting about her struggles with anxiety, she unexpectedly found herself becoming an influencer. But what did sharing her private fears teach her?
“Bella, I know it’s not the point, but where is your jumper from?” This was a reply to a post I put up on
Instagram about the horrors of antidepressant withdrawal. I respond with the details, mildly flattered, but slightly despairing. After decades of not talking about my mental health issues, I started an Instagram account (@mackie_bella) hoping to talk more honestly about them, but maybe when everyone has their own struggles they don’t want to be burdened with yours. Why would you want to watch someone else moan on the morning commute when you could gaze at a lovely fluffy jumper to cheer yourself up? I would choose the jumper myself most days.
I have become somewhat well followed on Instagram at a time when the platform is being hugely criticised. Social media influencers are widely scorned for showing off unattainable lifestyles, promoting irresponsible products, such as slimming teas, and being disingenuous about what’s real and what’s staged for effect. Websites have sprung up where those who are fed up with the polished images can call them out, sometimes brutally.