The captivation consumes us. Their posts, stories, and reels pull us in and constantly leave us wanting more.
What used to be a mindless time to scroll, like, and comment on friends' and families' everyday happenings has now turned into your go-to space for the latest shopping advice, trends, and sales. In-person shopping, websites, and catalogs have quickly been replaced. Influencer try-on hauls and reviews are what's new and trending in today's world.
You love some of these influencers' posts so much that you may check their pages regularly or even have post, story, or reel notifications turned on so that you don't miss any of their new content. Why has the influencing world taken over? What is it about them that draws us to them?
Authenticity
Social media has come a long way over the years. It started off as a platform to share what was going on in your daily life. People posted about their outfits, family, work, meals, and events. Over the years, social media has become another career for many individuals all over the world.
It was a platform to post about your highlight reels, but thankfully, it's now turning into a platform where people feel comfortable sharing both their successes and their failures. We're now connecting with people who may be complete strangers, but you feel you can relate to. They post about their ups and downs, and real-life scenarios that you may have experienced and can connect and relate to.
Entertainment
Social media is another form of entertainment for many used all across the world. Watching television. Social media has now taken the place of that for many individuals. Influencers can be just as entertaining as a television show or movie. They post enough content in short, quick videos to draw us in and keep us entertained.
Inspiration
Connection is part of human nature. Influencers give us something to relate to or strive for. They motivate us to become better versions of ourselves. We're drawn to the captivating images they post, the stories they share, and the ways they craft something together in ways you wouldn't have thought of yourself. No matter what your interests are, there are influencers out there inspiring you.
Mutual Interest
Take a look at your own social media feed. It's a mix of posts from people you know in real life, but it's also filled with posts from complete strangers who share similar interests. Social media allows us to connect with people who share a mutual interest as you do. No matter what you're looking for on social media, there will be some form of content. We're drawn to those individuals who post about our passions and share a common interest.
Trust
Word of mouth is a form of advertising that used to come only from people that you love and trust. Social media influencers have found a way to build that same trust with their followers. People from all over the world are putting their trust in influencers who they don't personally know. Their recommendations are influencing them to buy what they're sharing or posting about.
Next Steps
Social media influencers have become their own version of celebrities. They're in our news feeds, advertisements, and attending award shows, just like models, actors, and musicians. While they may entertain us, the quick and easy access we have to them can become detrimental to our mental health.
This mindless scrolling can quickly turn into an addiction. This addiction can lead to changes in your daily habits and routine and start to impact other areas of your life, like your finances, career, and personal relationships. If you're starting to notice that you've become addicted to your social media applications or shopping, please reach out to us about anxiety counseling for additional support.