‘It’s A Tricky Balance – Influencers Have Mortgages To Pay Too.’ How Instagrammers Are Adapting To Lockdown

Just like the rest of the world, people with an Instagram platform are working out how to operate in this strange and uncertain time - except we're doing it on full display, with more people staring at their phones than ever.

In the last week, there have been a number of scandals (mostly in the US) around influencers doing paid posts that didn't feel right, or irresponsible things, like moving to their holiday homes during lockdown.

For me, during this strange and uncertain time, I want to stay connected with my 59.4k followers and keep their spirits up. But I do feel uneasy about paid posts as I don’t think my followers want to buy clothes right now. I did my last one last week as I had been previously contracted to do so - and honestly I needed the money, so really appreciated the fact the brand agreed to go ahead. Most paid work for influencers has dried up now, but even so, it doesn’t feel right asking people to buy things when people have lost their jobs.

On the other hand, paid posts are the main source of income for a lot of influencers and they have mortgages to pay too. It’s a tricky balance, one that influencers and brands are trying to work out, so they can deliver content in a way that’s meaningful and not exploitative.

Our entire lives have been turned upside down and we’re losing people that we love and care about. That's a lot to take 24 hours a day, so having any respite from that is a really important thing. That is why I am trying to be as positive as possible and provide people with inspiration for things to do.

I've taken up knitting for example, and I still have all those conversations about what I'm doing with my hair and what face cream or face mask I am using. I've also started an Instagram series called ‘Quarantinis’ where I make different cocktails. My followers are doing it along with me and sending pictures of them with their own cocktails. Right now, it's all about sharing all those different ways that you keep yourself occupied and finding a bit of headspace.

I am continuing to post pictures of what I'm wearing. I've been a freelancer for a long time, so I understand the value and power of getting up every day and putting an outfit on. It can have a big impact on your mental health, especially as what we wear is a big part of our identity.

The majority of my outfits are recycled, as brands aren't sending samples. I hope these photos are inspiring people to bring more colour and patterns to their style. I post these photos indoors, as I think it is important to set an example and encourage people to stay at home.

I am also using my platform to support small businesses which are struggling at the moment. Soon I will be doing a shout out to a few small businesses which have been affected by the crisis. I’ll also be selling clothes to help vulnerable children. It’s all about doing as many different things as possible. If there's anything that any of us can do to help, now's the time to do it.

My followers have heard everything from my divorce to me losing a baby, so I think it's important to keep being as honest and stay connected. As per usual, I am keeping in touch with my followers every day. I usually speak to around 100 people each day – without this community, I think isolation would definitely be more of a challenge.

READ MORE: Negotiating Pregnancy, Birth And Baby Loss When You Make Your Living As An Influencer