Posting pictures of your body online has always been a bone of contention. The first line of attack assumed people who do it are self-obsessed and showing off. Then came the body positivity movement, where women of all shapes and sizes posted their beautiful, half-naked bodies and Instagram became the platform for posi vibes and posting images with purpose.
Of course, everyone loves to jump on the body positive bandwagon, whether their body already fits within societies standards of beautiful or not. Cue scores of models posting pictures with captions all about their personal struggles to accept themselves or quotes about self-love. However, one model is set to end that trend, and it’s none other than body positivity icon Iskra Lawrence.
Posting an insanely gorgeous bikini picture to Instagram, she captioned it with a lesson in Insta etiquette. She wrote:
‘I wouldn’t usually post this but...I do wonder how many posts that start like this are actually for real. Because most of the time the pics are FIRE and that’s a good enough reason to post...I don’t over think what I post unless it’s a message I want to share but if I feel good I’ll post whatever pic I want.’
Not only did she give us a lesson in not taking 10 minutes to come up with an Instagram caption, she also made the point that half-naked pictures don’t need to be accompanied by a meaningful quote to be seen as important or worthy.
‘A bikini pic or anything else doesn’t have to have a philosophical caption or be about body posi because maybe it seems more purposeful now or demands more respect. You deserve the same respect regardless of what you choose to wear.’
Her message encourages followers to question, why do we feel the need to attach more meaning to our fabulous holiday pictures? If we post it without a caption, will people think we’re shallow or unintelligent? The reality is probably yes, because we somehow need to seem as if we have an important reason to celebrate our body online.
It’s the idea that posting modest pictures implies intelligence and respect. In reality, you can post naked pictures every day and be a genius, as Iskra says, how much clothing we wear has no bearing on our level of self-respect and shouldn’t impact how much respect we receive from others.
While men can post as many topless pictures as they want with a fist emoji as the caption, women can’t post a swimsuit picture without people assuming she’s superficial, unless of course she posts exposes her deepest insecurities alongside it.
Iskra goes on to state:
‘ALSO don’t feel pressure to post swim or underwear pics for likes, follows or because u see people like me doing it. Your comfort and confidence is wayyyy more important, so stay true to you. So anyway just my random thoughts right now and here I am feelin🔥 in Vegas flexin on the gram with my lil back rolls and thick thighs and cel-u-lit.. no airbushin no problem’
She makes an important point to do whatever your comfortable doing online, regardless of what people will think. So, while everyone else continues to search for quotes about the sun online, we’ll be clicking post right away and actually enjoying the sun.
Click through to find other inspirational Instagram accounts you should follow...
Inspirational Instagram Accounts You Should Follow
1 of 24Women In Comics
Illustrating inspirational images and depicting women in comic form, this account will brighten up your timeline with some home truths in the form of pretty pictures.
2 of 24Adwoa Aboah
This insanely beautiful model founded GURLS TALK, an online community where women from all backgrounds can share their personal experiences in a safe space.
3 of 24Alicia Garza
Alicia is an editor and activist who co-created #BlackLivesMatter. Her feed is a mixture of relatable memes, unfiltered selfies and educational posts to keep you woke.
.jpg?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
4 of 24Amandla Stenberg
You might recognise this actor from The Hunger Games, when she played the character only character we cried endless tears for, Rue. Now, while still acting, she's a full-fledged activist posting about everything gender, feminism and black culture.
5 of 24MuslimGirl/Amani
Amani created the fast-growing activism account @MuslimGirl, another one you should definitely follow. She has spoken across the world about Muslim women and posts everything from badass selfies to stats you need to know.
6 of 24Amber Amour
Amber created @CreatingConsentCulture which aims to educate people on rape culture and support rape and sexual assault survivors. She's also outspoken about racism and sex work, her feed will be endless many dinner party talking points.
7 of 24Amber Rose
You may only know Amber Rose as Kanye's ex, but think again. Amber is a sex positivity icon, with her own pocast 'Loveline with Amber Rose' up until 2018 that aimed to promote healthy sexual relationships and self-love. If you can get past the fact she advertised flat tummy tea once (fgs Amber), you'll love her feminism-filled feed.
.jpg?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
8 of 24Beverly Bond
Author of 'Black Girls Rock', Beverly's posts will have you both inspired and enraged, filled with commentary on everyday injustices.
9 of 24Bree Newsome
You may recognise Bree as the activist who took down the confederate flag from a flagpole outside the South Carolina Capitol building. She's continuing her activism with inspiring art you need to see.
10 of 24Cameron Russell
An american model who called out the fashion industry for sexual harassment and assault, she started the #MyJobShouldNotIncludeAbuse hashtag. Her instagram is full of inspiring stories and educational videos exposing different injustices within her industry and beyond.
.jpg?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
11 of 24Iskra Lawrence
If your not already following Iskra, your living under an Instagram rock. The body positive model started her own business, everyBODY with Iskra, to give health and fitness advice beyond just getting super skinny. You need her body posi vibes in your life.
12 of 24Jessamyn
Another super body positive account to follow, Jessamyn is a yoga teacher regularly posting about the emotional and physical benefits of body positivity and practicing yoga.
13 of 24Joanna Thangiah
Shun your timeline of filtered selfies and over exposed holiday destinations. It's time for some feminist, mental health aware art! This account is amazing for cute cartoons that say everything we're already feeling.
14 of 24Judy Reyes
You'll probably remember Judy as Carla from Scrubs, or one of the other thousand TV show she's been in throughout her insanely successful career. Unlike most Hollywood actors, her Insta is full of activism and news you need to know.
15 of 24Logan Browning
Activist and actor, Logan Browning is the lead of Netflix hit Dear White People. Posting powerful content and links to charities you can donate to so you can turn your online activism into action- she's a force to be reckoned with.
16 of 24Makers Women
MAKERS is a storytelling platform for women, posting quotes to keep you inspired throughout the day. Stay up to date with gender injustice, while also feeling hopeful with the powerful words these amazing women have to say.
.jpg?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
17 of 24Nimisha Bhanot
Another artist you need to follow, Nimisha creates amazing prints (which you can buy) critiquing societal perceptions of South Asian women. She's based in Canada, but these prints can brighten up your timeline anywhere.
18 of 24Muslim Girl
Muslim Girl, where 'muslim women talk back' is an account ran by Amani. Advocating for issues facing muslim women, both accounts are an inspiration and necessity on your feed.
19 of 24Project Consent
There's no time like the present to be educating people on consent. This account does exactly that, and gives you the perfect explanations, comebacks and reminders to throw out at a dinner party if the issue comes up.
20 of 24Rowan Blanchard
Gone are the days of Disney stars going off the rails, this actor and activist is a beacon of positivity- especially online. Fighting gender and race injustice and beyond, she's one to watch.
21 of 24Rupi Kaur
Rupi made headlines in 2015 when she posted pictures of her on Instagram with visible menstrual blood. Her posts were blocked by Instagram, causing backlash against the social media platform. She continues to break boundaries with her writing and poetry.
22 of 24Sophie King
This UK based embroidery artist is an up-and-coming star, embroidering feminist slogans onto everything from bras to roses. Bring her insta to life with her slogan t-shirts, or just stare at the pretty pictures, either way she's someone you should follow.
23 of 24The Vulva Gallery
Our favourite of all the accounts, the vulva gallery promotes self-love in an area SO often ignored. With two-thirds of women avoiding smear tests, life-saving procedures, because of the look of their vagina, it's time we stopped all of the self-loathing around genitals. Providing a regular reminder that all vaginas are beautiful, if you only follow one account of this list, it should be this one.
24 of 24Trash Is For Tossers
Lauren Singer lives an entirely waste-free life. Yes, you can actually do that. As #plasticfree takes over our news feed, it's time you had some daily advice on how exactly to reduce your waste. Save the planet!