Social Media is a Highlight Reel - But is that Such a Bad Thing?
By Casey Santoriello
Of all the YouTube influencers I have followed over the years, I would have to say that Indy Blue is one of my favorites. Indy began cultivating a large following on YouTube in 2016 when she traveled to 30 countries in under 5 years, documenting the entire journey with her friends and her camera so that she could share the experience with her followers. Today, she is the successful co-founder of her brand ‘Lonely Ghost’ and is credited with creating and spreading the iconic line “I love you, say it back.” To this day, Indy still makes YouTube videos that capture important moments in her life; her content ranges from the birth of her son, Seven, to her wedding with her high school boyfriend, Jack, and iconic end-of-summer montages. She somehow manages to pick the perfect song to pull her video clips together so that her final product is a genuine representation of who she is.
Despite having a large, dedicated following, Indy still receives criticism, as all influencers do. Many people say that her videos, particularly her travel vlogs, are unrealistic and out of touch with reality. She is criticized for only sharing social media “highlight reels” that fail to accurately depict life and its many difficulties. While it’s true that social media is not an accurate representation of all the aspects of a person’s life, I think that Indy’s content is a reflection of happy nostalgia; what you will truly remember in life and look back on are the moments that may seem like a highlight reel. While there are many ups and downs, what’s most important and worth remembering are the positive little memories made with friends and family. Indy’s videos are a compilation of these small moments– the beauty in simplicity and the good that exists that sometimes goes unnoticed.
In the midst of midterms, I needed this reminder. During times that are filled with stress and late nights in the library, it was helpful to remember the message that Indy and her brand spreads. What helps to keep me from drowning in the chaos of college assignments is reminding myself of this idea– that there are little moments in each day that put all the negativity in perspective. This reality check helps me calm down and refreshes my mentality, which ultimately helps me be more productive. So, the next time you may be feeling stressed or overwhelmed, I suggest taking a break, and watching some Indy Blue to remind yourself of life’s beautiful simplicities.