• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Home
  • About
  • Contact
  • Shop My Instagram

Sophie Milner

  • #relatable girl talk
  • Lifestyle
  • sex & love
  • fashion
  • travel
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Instagram vs Reality, and Believing in Yourself Even When Those Above You Don’t

23/09/2018Lifestyle, weekly column

 

It’s Sunday which means one thing and one thing only: it’s my weekly roundup blog post! I know I’ve been letting these take the reigns over my main and meatier blog posts but I’m hoping to change things up in the future. You see, in the winter all I want to do is stay in so I usually find myself gravitating towards my laptop more. Whereas the summer I’m always looking for an excuse to put my phone and my laptop down and have my head in the clouds a bit more. But anyway, back to the main event. This week I’m talking about Instagram vs Reality and how I’m facing it. How someone in very high power really put me down, and why things came full circle (kinda…) and why you should use others doubts in you as fuel to your ambition. Only two topics this week, but grab your cuppa or commute coffee or whatever wherever you’re reading this…

Instagram vs Reality

It’s one of the biggest facts of life that what we see on Instagram is just a highlights reel, and in many cases of extreme editing and art direction, what we see is actually beautifully filtered “lies” and falsehoods. Don’t get me wrong: I actually LOVE really constructed imagery (if it’s tasteful and well executed) and shots of a more editorial nature. I think it’s what fuses the fantasy and creation behind traditional magazines and modern social media.

But, I also understand why many people don’t like this : Instagram was meant to be a social media site for sharing candid shots with friends, holiday snaps and things taken in the moment. And influencers are seen as more “real” people than celebrities, so it comes down to an authenticity thing – people are starting to get a bit tired of it all because it can make you feel quite inadequate about your own life.

Whilst I’d argue that I keep it pretty real and honest on my Instagram, there’s a lot of stuff that doesn’t make the cut: for example, photos where I’m pulling hideous faces, images where I’m mid outfit change in the street, caught-in-the-moment shots of me being ridiculously clumsy: it’s the real, authentic, BTS stuff that goes on in between each perfectly shot and composed imagery. So, I started a separate Instagram account exactly for this – @reallifesophie

I cannot take full credit for this idea. My all time favourite Influencer Jade Tunchy (Aussie babe) has her own real life account @therealjadetunchy – and she is just hilarious. She’s funny and smart and witty and brilliant on both of her channels but I love the fact she can let herself go and have a laugh at herself, sharing the imperfections and ridiculous side that comes with this job.

Some people would argue why I don’t just post this on my normal account. And it’s because I just can’t. I can’t change the aesthetics and branding because it just doesn’t work. For every person who doesn’t want to follow the “glossy” life of an influencer, there’s a bunch of people who actually do. I had so many amazing messages and comments from people thanking me for starting the account because “it showed life isn’t perfect all of the time for you guys” and that it’s so real and honest. It seems people are desperate for some rawness and realness in this hyper-filtered world we’re living in. With Snapchat Dysmorphia on the rise and even Facetime allegedly getting face filters it seems like social media is getting a bit too much.

But whilst people say they crave reality and honesty – and I don’t doubt that they do – I do doubt how much they want to see, and how they want to see it. I always think back at when model Stina Sanders did a little experiment on her account where instead of posting beautiful selfies and model shots, she posted the REAL life things – colonic irrigations, hair removal cream on her upper lip, trips to her therapist about her anxiety – and she lost thousands of followers because people didn’t want to see it.

Social media is amazing – you can do with it what you want and ultimately, show the life you want others to see. But I do think as influencers, many people do see us as role models to a degree, and we have a responsibility to keep things relatively real and honest, especially with the rise of mental health issues arising that are linked to social media consumption.

 

Believe In Yourself And Use Others’ Lack Of Belief To Fuel Your Ambition

 

I had an interview for a scholarship when I was studying my masters in fashion journalism, and on the panel was a very big-time, very old-school editor of a very well-known magazine. My blog was relatively in its infancy then – 18 months of occasional outfit posts/ trend pieces/ life updates, and I was still finding my feet – but to cut a long story short, as soon as she found out I had a blog, the interview took a serious nosedive. I think she may have called me a “vacuous narcissist” (or at least said my blog was those two) and suggested it belittled my skill and worth. She asked what was the point? If I had gained anything from it “apart from perhaps some cheap free clothes???”

It hurt. It really really hurt. And it wasn’t because I wanted to blog full time or ever thought it would lead to anything. It hurt because I started my blog as a creative outlet to get a little fashion experience during my first degree (straight journalism – no fashion focus) and it was so small, so unprofessional and unslick that I was already wary of it being a bit of a laughing stock – and it just made me feel like it really was. I left the interview and burst into tears, smoked 3 cigarettes (even though I don’t smoke) and went home and cried some more. I almost quit my blog that night. My fingers hovered over the “delete blog” button – but I didn’t.

The next morning I woke up and had an email saying I’d been nominated for Cosmopolitan’s “best newcomer” blog award. For me it was the pick-me-up that I needed that some people believed in me. It was almost as if it was a sign. Oh, and a few days later I found out that I won the scholarship.

Fast-forward to this Fashion Week, and I’m working with one of LFW’s official sponsors – and they’ve got me front row tickets to the shows. Who comes in and sits down all but one person away from me? That exact editor who made me feel worthless and asked if my blog had ever got me anything. If that moment wasn’t proof enough of how far I’ve come, how much you should keep working your arse off even though people will shoot you down, and how much success I’d made off my own back, then I don’t really know what is. I rarely feel proud of myself or my achievements – I usually focus on why things aren’t good enough or how they could have been better – but in that moment I couldn’t have felt more proud to be sitting there having done so for my own business and by myself.

So basically, for anyone struggling with finding their feet or believing in themselves, not because you think you can’t do it, but because you’ve got other people doubting you, take that as ammunition and use it to fuel your ambition and determination. Prove. Them. Wrong.

 

Photography by Beth Elstone 

Jewellery: Missoma, Top: Topshop, Jeans: Zara (out of stock online) Shoes and Bag: Chloe

Previous Post: « It’s Not A Compliment, Standing up for yourself, and Finding Strength After A Difficult Summer
Next Post: Going Sober for October and Dissecting my Relationship With Alcohol »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Lauren

    23/09/2018 at 7:15 pm

    Truly loved this

    Reply
    • Karol

      23/09/2018 at 10:54 pm

      Great blog! Glad you didn’t give up xx

      Reply
  2. Abbey

    23/09/2018 at 7:36 pm

    Loved every moment of this. A true real life devil wears prada moment!

    Reply
  3. Shanice Baker

    23/09/2018 at 7:39 pm

    This really is fab!! Loved this post so much! X

    Reply
  4. Ria

    23/09/2018 at 7:47 pm

    This was so empowering to read. Thank you for being so honest and real all the time, even if a photo is posed and perfect! You write beautifully 💓

    Reply
  5. Sharan

    23/09/2018 at 8:13 pm

    Thank god you didn’t delete your blog after that interview!! That editor obviously couldn’t see (or was too worried to admit) that the fashion industry was/is changing so much due to bloggers. Your personal writing and imagery is a huge inspiration to so many of us (myself included) and it has gotten you so far in life! Shout out to you for proving that woman wrong. Also, I don’t think you know how much I LOVE the photos in your weekly roundup posts! You and Beth create magic together and I love this seeing these type of pictures from you because they’re so different from what you put on Instagram… And speaking of IG, I’m following your new account and am obsessed. Just another reason why you’re one of the best in game <3

    MY BLOG // MY INSTAGRAM

    Reply
  6. Matt

    23/09/2018 at 9:35 pm

    Amazing Sophie it just shows never giving up and having that inner drive works in all avenues of life !!

    Reply
  7. Victoria

    23/09/2018 at 11:07 pm

    Loved everything about this blog post. I didn’t even realise you had a separate Instagram account, I will definitely check that out. It’s made me want to succeed even more so thank you for this Sophie xxx

    Reply
  8. Heather Morton

    23/09/2018 at 11:11 pm

    YES 👏🏻 SOPHIE 👏🏻. Absolutely loved this and these pics are also fire 🔥 keep doing you gal because you’re doing amazing!

    Reply
  9. Haley LeBaron

    24/09/2018 at 12:42 am

    I love this post Sophie! Was just talking to some friends today about how frustrating it is that bloggers are often labeled as vain. My blog is so much more than just a cry for attention. It’s such a labour of love for me. It’s an aesthetic depiction of my creativity and hearing people scoff at me for sharing what is actually very personal work hurts.

    Reply
  10. Briana

    24/09/2018 at 5:09 am

    Great advice girl! I so have to have those pants! I need to get them asap!

    briana
    https://beyoutifulbrunette.com/

    Reply
  11. Christ

    24/09/2018 at 1:23 pm

    Loved this post so much! You can be so proud of yourself.
    I feel really inspired and motivated after reading this! Thank you 🙂

    – Christopher
    https://twiceconfused.com

    Reply
  12. Andra

    24/09/2018 at 2:07 pm

    Yesss, I’m glad you stuck to it! This reminds me of my Masters thesis- I studied Fashion Marketing and my topic was- Fashiom Bloggers as Influencer Sources – I was trying to prove that Bloggers influence what clothes
    People buy. This was 6 years ago and nobody believed in me. My teacher said it’s silly. Look at it now. Unfortunately I was a blogger and let it slide big time. Never making that mistake again.

    Reply
  13. Jodie

    24/09/2018 at 6:33 pm

    Your BTS instagram is one of my favourite accounts, I love to see all the pictures that don’t make the cut and your captions are spot on! You definitely have come full circle and I’m a big believer that the universe helps us out every now and then, especially with your Cosmopolitan nomination. I wonder if she recognised you. People need to realise how hurtful their words can be!

    Jodie // jodieloue.com

    Reply
  14. Jessie

    24/09/2018 at 8:31 pm

    I bloody love that that editor was in the same LFW show as you. I can imagine how hurt you were when she said those awful things but look at you now girl! I hope you gave her a little wave haha! xx

    Jessie | allthingsbeautiful-x

    Reply
  15. Julia

    25/09/2018 at 9:11 am

    I love that you’ve started that other account, it’s so refreshing actually to see accounts like that popping up 🙂

    Personally I like seeing curated feeds with beautiful images, but then I still like a healthy dose of more realistic accounts too.

    Julia // The Sunday Mode

    Reply
  16. Daisy

    25/09/2018 at 7:15 pm

    This was definitely my favourite Sunday post from you!! <3

    Reply
  17. Anika May

    26/09/2018 at 11:33 am

    The Real Life Sophie account is such a fun idea, I love it! It’s great when bloggers break down the barrier of perfection on the internet 🙂
    Also, you’re so brave taking these photos in such a public place – I wish I could haha!

    Anika | anikamay.co.uk

    Reply
  18. Danielle Alexa

    26/09/2018 at 6:58 pm

    I loved this blog post and you look absolutely amazing!

    Danielle xx
    https://www.fashionbeautyblog.co.uk/

    Reply
  19. Chichi

    02/10/2018 at 3:07 pm

    Good post! I agree with using other people’s doubt to fuel your ambition. I love proving people wrong hahahaha! That editor sounds like a spiteful cow. I’ve had so many people judge me and doubt me throughout my life but I know that I’m a lot more capable than they realise.

    Chichi
    http://thecosmeticnotebook.com

    Reply
  20. Grace Louise

    03/10/2018 at 7:04 pm

    Gorgeous pictures Hun, I couldn’t agree more with the message 🙂

    Grace Louise || http://www.gracelouiseofficial.blogspot.co.uk/

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

@sophiemilner_fs

sophiemilner_fs

Pink 💕 thinking of doing a pretty pink valentin Pink 💕 thinking of doing a pretty pink valentines feed 💕✨
Enjoying cute spots in the new flat to take pics ☺️💕 
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

#ootd #inspo #aesthetic #parisianvibe #parisianaesthetic #minimal #neutralfeed #neutralstyle #flowers #pinkroses #valentines #valentinesfeed #badestoutfit #babesofmissguided #pfg #neutralhome
Valentine’s Day: do you do anything for it (even Valentine’s Day: do you do anything for it (even a card, an acknowledgement of it) or do you just live it like any other day? It’s not something that bothers me really but I said to Jimmy “it would be nice to get some flowers though” - he replied by asking me when actually is Valentine’s Day. Lol. So... bets are on. Who thinks I’ll be getting flowers on Valentine’s Day 😂?
Walks by the river in the only hour of sunshine we Walks by the river in the only hour of sunshine we’ve had recently 🙌🏼✨
Don’t worry I’ll just be sitting here patientl Don’t worry I’ll just be sitting here patiently waiting for summer so I can enjoy my walks in the park in these sandals 🥺 but seriously, my chanel sandals have been the best investments I’ve made. They’re about the only shoes I wear in spring summer. Until then, I guess I’ll be wearing them as slippers 🥴
Denim and leather - the ultimate staples 🙊 I ca Denim and leather - the ultimate staples 🙊 I can’t remember the last time I wore jeans that didn’t have this 90s style fit! I’m hopefully going to be organising my walk-in wardrobe today and I can’t wait to get it all sorted and organised!
Ad Cosy elevated @missguided basics from my latest Ad Cosy elevated @missguided basics from my latest haul on YouTube! I've got a collection of cute new-season staples (well, tbh, staples for EVERY season), pretty AND comfy lingerie (valentines day is looming....) some cosy loungewear, and a seriously killer suit. And I also have a special discount code: SOPHIEM10 🙊 links in my stories or you can shop this look using the @liketoknow.it app
Follow on Instagram
This error message is only visible to WordPress admins

Copyright © 2021 ⸱ Sophie Milner ⸱ By Hearten Made

Copyright © 2021 · Dainty on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in