How We're Not Really Strangers is Normalizing Vulnerability on Social Media
Not many people talk about the hardships of vulnerability. Social media has become a hotspot for sharing a highlight reel that romanticizes our lives. It’s hard not to get swept up in believing that people’s lives look the same as they do on Instagram. If we use Instagram to post about our successes, then why can’t we begin to share our hardships?
We’re Not Really Strangers, a card game for letting go and beginning the healing process, does a great job on Instagram at integrating relatable content involving the struggles we face in our relationships. We’re Not Really Strangers normalizes emotions, heart-break, the struggle of letting people go, and the struggle to love ourselves. A lot of times we overlook the length of the healing process because we feel rushed to get over someone or something. Whether it be a recently ended relationship with a romantic partner, a job rejection or a failed friendship, heart-break takes many forms and requires time to heal. It’s ok to need time or to miss the person with whom you shared so much of yourself with. Connection is rare, so losing it is very difficult and life after can be very confusing and emotional.
We’re Not Really Strangers’ content introduces followers to a new approach at healing — to recognize that we are not alone. The brand has created a safe space on Instagram by allowing followers to embrace their emotions. The brand’s content validates emotions we minimize, such as sadness, self-hatred, frustration, anger, nostalgia and confusion. Having a community on Instagram that prioritizes normalizing emotions is unlike many of the accounts we come across. Social media has become such a big part of our everyday lives that the content we consume becomes our way of thinking. Changing our feeds is the first step in changing our attitudes. The more we see vulnerability normalized on social media, the more inclined we will become to adapt a similar perspective. So, how do we change our feeds to include more content relevant to real-life?
Give @werenotreallystrangers a follow on Instagram, maybe even buy the actual card game if you’re really ready to get over whoever or whatever has you down. The brand’s content can seem almost too accurate for our current situations (no but seriously, it’s so relatable it’s scary). Another great account for beginning your healing process, whether it involves a relationship with a significant other or the relationship we have with ourselves, is @thepositiveminds. This account is great for similar types of content and features a variety of empowering quotes.
Overall, surrounding ourselves with more real-life content on social media can help in our personal healing journeys. Seeing others embrace their emotions and heartbreak can be beneficial to embracing our own. The next time you’re emotionally drained, just remember it’s normal to feel that way, and that you are not alone.