Instagram is a very strange place. On the one hand, it’s pretty horrifying how it’s made me comfortable watching slime videos for a good ten minutes. But also, these satisfying videos have become an important anecdote to the pressure placed by all the pictures of people’s perfect lives.
If you’re also a little worried about your new dependence on satisfying videos to cope with Instagram's perfect facade, it’s time for you to be introduced to the platform's inspirational women. From activist art to business 'girlbosses', this wonderful underbelly of Instagram will make your next WCW a lot more meaningful. It’s time to surround yourself with a virtual circle of powerful women. You’re welcome.
1. Rupi Kaur
Instagram poetry is blowing up. It’s a great way to get bits of beautiful artistry into our stressful, daily lives. If this is what you’re into (and it should be), Rupi is essential. It’s ambitious, but Rupi could well be described by many as the poet of our generation. At least, the ‘Instapoet’ of our generation. With 2.5m followers, it’s fair to say she’s going viral. This is so well deserved. She discusses love, sex and race alongside her personal doodles, and her work is beautifully relatable and essential for any young woman. I can guarantee, she will be a cult favourite for years to come.
2. Cleo Wade
While Rupi is a firm Instapoet favourite, here is another up-and-coming grammer who will stop you mid scroll. With Cleo in your feed, you'll get the daytime inspo you need to get through anything.
Sophia Amoruso: original girlboss. Sophia is the founder and CEO of multi-million pound US fashion site Nasty Gal. Her experience growing this brand from an eBay up-cycling account means that her Instagram is now a fountain of business knowledge and all-round power.
Even without considering anything else, this is an essential follow just because it’s so aesthetically pleasing. Recipesforselflove posts daily illustrations of real, global women, with a backdrop of muted pastels and flowers, as well as a mantra for self love. Think @plantsonpink crossed with female inspo.
Alice, a freelance illustrator from London, will fill your feed with bold, provocative pieces commenting on millenial life. She’ll encourage your body confidence, and incite your role in ‘The Pink Protest’. Also incredibly aesthetically pleasing, but this time think more modern, feminist Picasso.
6. Girlboss
Here you’ll find a lot of quotes from powerful women, amongst other motivational content. Women can often be encouraged away from ambition, but, Girlboss are trying to make women comfortable with the idea of their own power and capacity for success.
