U.K. model Stina Sanders decided to do a little social experiment on Instagram recently.
She went from posting sexy pictures like this:
https://www.instagram.com/p/9JyNnsH-Bk/
To the raw, unfiltered truth – which isn’t always pretty.
https://www.instagram.com/p/-B78EVn-HC/
At first, it looked like people just couldn’t handle the “unglamorous” truth.
“[My followers] actually went down 15,000 to just under 10,000.”
But once word spread of what she was doing, she began to receive more support.
“People have reached out to thank me because they can simply relate — whether that’s de-fuzzing your facial whiskers or suffering from anxiety,” said Sanders.
https://www.instagram.com/p/-I2Edun-HD/
https://www.instagram.com/p/9_LOf4n-Dl/
One of the messages she received is from a mother who wrote: “Started following you after I read your story. You are exactly the kind of role model I want for my eight-year-old daughter to look up to.”
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Sanders admits she was inspired by Essena O’Neill, the Instagram star who “quit social media” to expose how fake it can be.
READ MORE: Opinions on Essena O’Neill split after some allege social media protest is a hoax
Sanders now plans to use her Instagram presence to try and spark conversation on topics she feels should be discussed — “whether that’s depression or bowel movements.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/98pG-PH-Iq/
“I think the message I want to send out to everyone, especially young women, is that no one is perfect. Just be yourself because that’s all you can be. We all have imperfections and we should just embrace them, not hide them.
“I can’t speak for everyone but I can guarantee most photos you see have used a filter, some way or other.
“I hope girls can see that beauty is actually skin deep and what you usually see on Instagram isn’t all that it seems.”
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