Once upon a time, Sophie Gray was a super-fit Instagram celebrity.
She had thousands of followers on the photo-sharing website, most of whom flocked to her account for workout and fitness inspiration.
On the outside, Sophie had a perfect life. She was happy, fit, attractive, and loved by thousands.
But on the inside, Sophie Gray was falling apart.
In an emotional article for Marie Claire, Sophie admitted that her life had been ruled by anxiety and self-doubt since her Instagram account became popular. Her image of a perfect life was ruining her real life.
After an anxiety attack that prevented her from boarding a plane and forced her to drive 38-hours just to get home, Sophie decided to make a major change in her life.
Keep scrolling to learn just how Sophie decided to change everything.
[H/T: DailyMail]
Thumbnail Photo: Instagram / wayofgray
Just a few months ago, Sophie Gray's entire Instagram was dedicated to working out, healthy eating, and helping others get fit. At first glance, Sophie's life looked picture-perfect.
But on the inside, Sophie was struggling. Making her life look perfect online was taking a toll on her life offline. She writes, "My own body 'achievements' didn't stop me from feeling the crippling amounts of jealousy, depression, and shamefulness that thousands, if not millions, of women worldwide feel due to social media."
Sophie began to develop some pretty serious anxiety. But things came to a head when a panic attack prevented her from getting home. She writes,
If you were scrolling through my Instagram account, @wayofgray, a few months ago, you would have seen a feed filled with sport bras and green smoothies. You would have seen images that portrayed me as strong, fit, and someone who has her life together. You would have seen someone super happy and super healthy, too. At least that’s what my account would have led you to believe.
But if you were my boyfriend on that same day, you would have gotten a very different story.
You would have been sitting beside me desperately trying to calm me down as a panic attack took control of my body. You would have tried to protect me from prying eyes at the airport as I stood sobbing in baggage claim. You would have climbed into a rental car and embarked on a 38-hour drive because I couldn’t get on our connecting flight home.
On the long drive home, Sophie had a lot of time to think. She knew her Instagram account was inspiring to others, but she was beginning to realize that it was probably anxiety-inducing as well. That's when she made a decision that would change everything.
Sophie decided to change the theme of her Instagram account. She swore to stop posting bikini pictures and posing in sports bras. She writes,
Was my portrayal of a “perfect life” making them feel any better? It was making me feel… terrible, so I’m pretty sure that it wasn’t.
The abs selfies—and the implicit shaming that came with them—had to stop.
By being more honest, and being gentler with herself, Sophie hoped she could tone down her serious anxiety — and help others along the way.
Sophie began to rework her Instagram account to be more inclusive and more positive. But that didn't come easily. She had built her brand upon her six-pack. According to Business Insider, Sophie lost 70,000 of her 300,000 followers as a result.
But the sacrifice was worth it for Sophie. She writes,
Those images made Sophie Gray feel inadequate. Everything I did revolved around those photos. I was constantly worrying about my body image because my “worth” through this channel depended on it.
Again, this can make me seem vain. But, I was the one behind the account for 3 years. I saw what images performed better. I saw what people wanted to see – fitter, thinner, more defined, & perfect.
I think the change Sophie made was so brave. I know firsthand how much anxiety can stem from social media, and I think Sophie is at the forefront of an important change.
What do you think of the way Sophie changed her Instagram habits?
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