Ex hincher here (sorry guys) but I knew I was going barmy when I’d have a go my fiancé for leaving his work boots about or leaving some crumbs after making toast and telling my Mam she should be buying the Lenor fabric softener instead of wilkos own make
![Face with tears of joy :joy: 😂](https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/gh/joypixels/emoji-assets@5.0/png/64/1f602.png)
And feeling like
tit for living in a shite house with a bad landlord at only 17 years old and trying to keep up with Sophie’s lifestyle asif that was going to be possible
![Weary face :weary: 😩](https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/gh/joypixels/emoji-assets@5.0/png/64/1f629.png)
not her fault for my actions/feeling shite but these influences and YouTubers really do affect people more than any real celeb or pop star would tv programme etc as they show there life nearly 24/7 and you think is this what I should be doing? Am I failing at life? Well no your not and at 17/18 years old your hardly going to be living in a bought clean new build but I couldn’t see that at the time but I defiantly can now! And I can see through her ways too
I think most people, even teenagers, etc. appreciate that true celebs, popstars, actors, etc. that are successful and have a very comfortable lifestyle because of their jobs. We know those who make it to the top of their sport, charts, etc. will be allowed to demand large fees. And typically that also comes with good ad endorsement fees, etc.
The YouTube and IG influencer game is a whole different kettle of fish. It is a lot more insidious. Many start out with small followings where it probably is more natural and real (some have their 15 minutes on trashy reality TV). And they are more likely to be the people that have you roped in and emotionally involved before you realise it. Little Mix comes on to the scene, for example, and realistically people have only started following them because they were on the TV and then into a band. From the moment they started on that show, I'd imagine there will have been some control over their social media by show bosses and then managers/PR. But we know and expect that. When they start showing expensive items you understand that they are being gifted to them or they are purchasing them as the result of a significantly higher salary than the average person. There is this understanding that they are not the average person on the street.
The rise of the social media influencer is much more sneaky as initially they are buying everything themselves and having to be likeable or offering something to get followers. But then they may receive a gift or beg for a gift in exchange for exposure to their following, initially they may mention it, but many become some sneaky. Then the affiliate links start, etc. so then pushing unnecessary tat becomes the normal, but you started following them because you liked them/related to them. The psychology is different. People aspire to potentially be like their favourite singer or actor but there is a realisation that there are differences there so your brain can work out your own reality versus their's. That line isn't really there when someone starts out portraying their life is the same as yours and doesn't make it clear when they begin to profit off trying to share that life with you. This and the constant repetition of 'I don't know how it happened', 'all started because of [inane thing here]' suggesting that any one who wants freebies and instafame can get it. Don't get me wrong, they aren't all taking their following for mugs. Many celebrate new management or partnerships. Many explain affiliate links well and that they are making money that way and it is better going to them than Google but still advise that people have a look to make sure they are getting the best deal before using that link. Again, no problem making money that way, but I have respect for the people that don't buy cheap tat no one ever needs and encourage large followings to buy through their link and only encourage use of affiliate links when someone actually is intending to buy something anyway and/or it is a product that has been good value and would genuinely be used in their day to day life, not just for the benefit of the gram and being able to profit on it. It also isn't realistic to have a huge following believe it is relatable and just happened when it doesn't. Success usually involves a lot of work and skills of other people, there also is a point of saturation. Not every grey home can make money like this, not every mum can just blog about their life and make money, etc. There are only so many people at the bottom to buy (wow it almost is MLM/pyramid like...).
I'm glad you recognised that it wasn't good for you, propbably for your relationship and your finances. To stay relevant, these influencers are going to have to continue to push more and more unnecessary tat and it is completely unrealistic to expect followers to keep buying.