you are not broken

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Instagram is often under the spotlight as a platform that promotes unrealistic beauty standards, which are heavily influenced by patriarchal beauty norms.

But while the app can be linked to multiple mental illnesses within young, impressionable people, it also has the potential to be a safe and welcoming space for everyone, promoting diversity within society.

By diversifying who you follow, in order to attract the kinds of posts you actually want to see, instead of posts that are harmful or triggering, you can take control back from the algorithm. But where do you start, and who do you follow? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered with 20 suggestions of our own to help you diversify your feed.

 

SEXUAL HEALTH

Knickers in a not - @knickersinanot

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Knickers In A Not covers all things sexual health, from the Pill, to PCOS, to first times and even abortion. Run by experienced SA expert, Dr Stephanie Roche, the account is an educational platform helping to answer all the questions you might be too shy to ask.

 

Emily Nagowski -@enagoski

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Emily Nagowski, Ph.D. is a women’s sexual health guru, well-known for her New York Times bestsellers “Come As You Are” and “Burnout”. She covers topics affecting sexual health, ranging from body image to stress and mood cycles, demystifying sex to improve one’s sex life.

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Ericka Hart - @ihartericka

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ericka is a sex educator, breast cancer survivor and model, who went viral for their topless images of scarring after having a double mastectomy.

 

Candice Langford - @nurtureyourvagina

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Candice is an SA-born physiotherapist, specialising in pelvic health. She is also passionate about sexual heath and shares her own professional tips and advice on Instagram to better inform and educate people.

 

Kim Windvogel - @blazingnonbinary

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Kim is the co-founder of FemmeProjects, an organisation focused on sexual health and rights. Kim loves challenging the gender binary through their Instagram content, refusing to subscribe to patriarchal beauty norms.

 

The Vulva Gallery - @the.vulva.gallery

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This account is all about normalising difference and taking away the shame that society attaches to the vulva, through an empowering process of displaying digital drawings of vulvas.

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PLUS SIZE

Stephanie Yeboah - @stephanieyeboah

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Stephanie is a body-positive activist and advocate. A self-described “opiniated fat babe”, Stephanie is committed to portraying her authentic self through social media.

 

Enam Asiama - @enamasiama

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Enam describes herself as a “fat queer femme” – representing minority groups and celebrating her life as a plus-sized woman.

 

Nabela Noor - @nabela

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Nabela is a self-love activist and a firm believer that ‘all body sizes matter’. She is the founder of a self-love clothing brand, Zeba, which celebrates all body sizes.

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DISABLED

Alex Dacy - @wheelchair_rapunzel

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Alex is a disabled woman, who shares her lived experience online, showcasing the day-to-day struggles she faces, and educating the public about ableism and life with a disability.

 

Eddie Ndopu - @eddiendopu

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Eddie is a South African disabled man serving as an Advocate for Sustainable Development Goals on behalf of the United Nations. He is a human rights activist determined to show the world that having a physical disability does not define you and your power.

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Fats Timbo - @fatstimbo

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Fats is a beauty blogger and lifestyle influencer, sharing what it is like being born with dwarfism and how this does not hinder your ability to live life to the fullest.

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BIPOC

Tiffany Ima - @tiffanyima

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Tiffany is a body-positive, eating-disorder-recovered influencer who shares insightful tips on how to love yourself and not feel shameful about your body.

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Aja Barber - @ajabarber

 

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Aja is a writer and stylist, focused on sustainability in the fashion landscape. She shares top tips on how to quit fast fashion and actively educates on the importance of quitting.

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Lesego Tlhabi - @coconut_kelz

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Lesego is a comedian and satirist who rose to fame through calling out racism and racist comments that are often overlooked by white people. She is well-known in South Africa today.

 

Masego Morgan - @coconut_cracked

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Masego is a sustainability activist who uses her platform to educate about living more sustainably.

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LGBTQIA

Florence Given - @florencegiven

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Florence is a queer author and activist working to debunk patriarchal beauty ideals and standards and actively calling out injustices within society. She is also well known for her approach to leaving toxic relationships and focusing on self-love.

 

Alok Menon - @alokmenon

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Alok is a queer author and comedian who also calls out injustices and writes poetry with a common LGBTQI theme. Alok is well known for their poetry called “On Pronouns” and writes from the perspective of a non-binary person.

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Matt Bernstein - @mattxiv

 

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Matt is a queer social media activist, specifically advocating for minority groups and covering topical issues in the media like the fall of Roe v Wade – Matt directs his content to be discomforting to those with power and privilege.

 

Char Ellesse - @ellessechar

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Char is a queer author who focuses on the black experience and informing the public on the challenges facing queer black women in society.

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