This Model Lost Thousands of Followers After Sharing "Real" Selfies on Instagram

Ever since Essena O'Neill's loud departure from Instagram jump-started a long-overdue conversation about just how little of what we see on social media is "real," people have been optimistic about ushering in a new world. But it seems like we're not ready to take the filters off our day-to-day lives. 

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London-based model Stina Sanders says she lost thousands of followers after she swapped her usual glam bikini shots with photos of less flattering parts of her routine: Going to see a therapist for her anxiety issues, getting rid of some extra facial hair, and even getting a colonoscopy. 

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Instead of rewarding Sanders for being honest about dealing with the same stuff as the rest of us, her followers started dropping like flies, going from 13,000 down to just 10,000. However, Sanders said that while her following sank, she got more likes and positive comments, not to mention a boost in self-confidence. 

"People were pleased that they could actually see it's okay to be normal," she told People.com. "​When I did take those 'ugly' selfies, it was actually quite empowering. Who cares about how your hair's looking? Just be happy in yourself and be confident when you look in the mirror. It's so important to just be real." ​

As of now, Sanders's following has shot up to almost 18,000, so it looks like the movement lives on after all. +1 for humanity. 

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