Essena

Hello everyone! Today we’re gonna be talking about this girl right here (I’m pointing below XD)

Her name is Essena O’Neill, a 19 year old YouTuber and Instagram celeb from Australia. She had over half a million followers and joined the top modeling agency in Australia. She had everything she had ever dreamed of having. She “had it all.” That’s why the internet was rocked when two days ago she deleted her social media accounts, and made a final video on her channel telling her story and the reason she decided to quit social media.

Check out the video here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xe1Qyks8QEM

She has completely deleted her channel as well, and has launched a website with the slogan “Let’s be game changers.” Essena shocked us all as she revealed what goes on behind the camera. Her whole existence was driven by the need for adulation, the desire to increase her following. She wished to project the image of a perfect life. This pressure she put on herself drove her to depression, and she decided she needed to step back and get away from it all.

The internet has fallen into a huge debate on the effects of social media on individuals, the authenticity of those individuals and so on. This video has given us a lot to ponder and discuss but the biggest message I carried away from Essena was this – whatever you do, make sure you’re doing it for the right reasons and always be true to yourself. Be it starting a YouTube channel, or a blog, or literally anything else in life, you need to make sure you’re doing it for you. More than ever before,  we are all connected. And because of that exposure we see people who, to us, lead perfect lives. And being only human, we want to be like them. We all want to be recognized and have our voices heard.

William Shakespeare once wrote "To thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man"

We all have something incredible to share with the world, a message only we can deliver. Social media is an amazing platform to express our views and share our stories. There is so much amazing content out there. Imagine how much more incredible it could be if people did their work with passion and drive, without having to worry about being someone they’re not just to maintain their following. The people who really care about you and what you have to say will stick with you no matter what! Always remember that you are worth it, and what you have to share is important! So be brave, take courage, and be yourself for the entire world to see! Don’t be scared to put yourself out there, and don’t let other people bring you down! Don’t believe me? Then listen to Will (he knew what he was talking about, even if we sometimes don’t XD)

I hope Essena finds herself in a better place soon, and I hope she finds joy in spreading her message to the world. She slapped us awake, and I think we’re better for it. Always remember, you’re worth it and you’re voice has value. Use it for good.

Let’s be game changers!

Until next time,

Bianka