I’ll spare you the waffle of why smiling is good for the soul and I’ll credit you with the fact that you already know how to flash those pearly whites in an ear to ear grin. Everyone is hating on Instagram lately, including myself. There is such an air of despondency around the platform with claims that it will send your self-esteem plummeting. Whilst I am all too familiar with the smorgasbord of real and valid reasons for this bad rap, lately my experience of Instagram has been anything but depressing. 

Recently, I have noticed my feed is flooded with images and messages that make me smile. This is in part attributed to my Marie Kondo-ing of my feed. It now ‘sparks joy’. Sidenote: is anyone else loving the way Marie Kondo has evolved into ‘verb’ status? The ultimate goal.So I would like to shout out some of these smile inducing, golden nuggets of Instagram greatness that have played a crucial role in my feed’s glow up. This little list is simply designed to spread the love, enjoy!

@SNOOCHIESHY

This woman is an absolute joker. Snoochie Shy is the living, breathing, example of an up and coming generation of women who’s sharp sense of humour and cutting edge style isn’t going to get in the way of her being taken seriously in her industry. A true pioneer. I’m usually smiling because she is hilarious and also it feels so damn good to see this woman do her thing.

@WHATSWRONGWITHMOLLYMARGARET

This hilarious cityslicker is an LGBTQ+ sex positive angel, gracing the earth with her words of wisdom and anything-but-impersonal content. WWWMM is a thought-catalog for the confused and questioning. An at home sex-ed hotline with a genuine human on the other end of the line. It brings out the smile in me when I see the impact she has on her followers. I love it! 

@THELESLIEJORDAN

Finding Leslie Jordan’s Instagram is hands-down the best thing that could have happened to me during the COVID-19 pandemic. The international gay uncle, or Guncle, as he affectionately terms himself, has such a relatable way of telling stories and talking to camera. You can’t help but feel nurtured!

@GINAMARTIN

Gina Martin is an activist, ambassador, and all round awesome woman.  Don’t worry though, like all good role models she isn’t afraid to share her flaws making her totally relatable and not intimidating at all. During the pandemic she posts a ‘daily dose of Vitamin P’ (positivity) by curating a series of uplifting clips on her Instagram Story to enjoy at the end of a long day in lockdown. 

@LACITYMUNICIPALDANCESQUAD

Another one from across the pond, this dance group have created a community and space in which women have the opportunity to “feel like a teen again, but like, a woman teen”. It’s goofy, funky, fun, creative, and great for morale. They do a weekly dance-along too, for those of you who are so inclined.

So there you have it, hopefully these accounts will help you on your own Insta-feed glow up journey. Seriously, reprioritising the messages you feed yourself is a total game changer. You are what you eat… which is why I fill my Instagram feed with things that make me smile and feel good about myself. I can’t recommend it enough. Happy scrolling!  

Written by Natalia Webster
Instagram