Let's talk about intentionality

Happy Friday everybody!! This week, I wanted to really focus on a topic that has been on my mind and heart recently: intentionality. Specifically, within the crazy, fast-pace realm of social media, the way we influence each other has really been prevalent in my life recently. Whether we have 10 followers or millions, the impact we have on others has undeniably increased with the growth of technology--- social media. Instagram is really the nugget of this boom, with influencers and content creators becoming jobs that most anyone can acquire. However, the hard work and deep impact from these influencers is very prevalent in my life, and other users from all ages and demographics. Intentionality is one of the key tools in navigating this influential time of social media, in helping with fueling reform, encapsulating individual beauty, and lifting others up. Comparison, judgement, and other negative aspects often come without being intentional, not only in the world of social media, but within day to day life.

The past two weeks, I have had the chance of getting in contact with two influencers who were kind enough to give their thoughts on intentionality in the booming world of social media. This Q&A is meant to help you better understand, and lift one another up to find the importance of intentionality.... to help find the room you should have with yourself to breathe and live--- away from the pressures of it all.

My first interview was with one of my favorite influencers: Chelsey Jade Curtis (instagram: @chelseyjadecurtis). A content creator/influencer currently living in LA, she is a co-host of a well-esteemed podcast (7M+ downloads!!): What We Said and co-owner of the wellness business: Balanced Boss. Here is what a snippet of what Chelsey had to say on intentionality:

Q (Nina): With the mental health issues that often arise from social media toward young adults, how does that impact your role as an influencer? Does it increase the importance of intentionality?

A (Chelsey): As a content consumer, you are responsible for what you consume and how you choose to react to it. I've come to understand that the internet is a GIANT that is pretty much untameable so we can't rely on it to give us the perfect, uplifting content we desire. As an influencer, I try my best to provide positive content. I know that something I post might make someone's day worse or it could make it better so I always keep that in mind. However, it really comes down to us as consumers to take care of our own mental health. We have to understand WE have the power to step away, stop reading, stop consuming if we sense it is having a negative impact on our mental health. It is much more empowering to know we are in charge instead of feeling like we are just victims and puppets of the internet.

Q (Nina): Do you think students/younger generations value intentionality today?

A (Chelsey): I think young people today really value intentionality, even more than older generations, because it is so easy for us to be, quite literally, on auto-pilot. We have the more distractions readily available to us than any other generation in history. A lot of us today are starting to bring awareness to that and we want to change it. We want to get back to awareness and intention. We start to crave that connection to our uninterrupted intuition because we've been distracted from it for so long. It's a natural cycle!

I talked to another influencer, a young student, Bailey Jones (instagram: @hrhbails), for her take on intentionality. Bailey is a student at University of Arizona while partnering with many different brands such as PINK, and interning for well-esteemed companies. Here is a small snippet of what Bailey had to say on intentionality:

Q (Nina): What does intentionality mean to you within social media? Be as broad or concise as you feel.

A (Bailey): Intentionality honestly means a whole bunch of things when it comes to social media. I think it can be perceived as fine tuning every piece of a photo or aesthetic to get the intentions of the feed in order. However, I think intentionality also mirrors the ability to be vulnerable and present

in all that you’re posting. People like organic content these days that doesn’t feel as forced but

attainable and I think with intentionality comes awareness of what you’re creating. Being mindful

of the difference from posting ten photos of the same outfit or brunch spot versus posting

moments spent in that outfit or brunch spot. Being intentional means having a game plan which

can also bring stress over posting the “right” thing at the “right” time. However, being intentional

also means being purposeful and I think being able to tell a story and give more of a why you

are doing something concept and less of just what you are doing is far more successful in the

aspects of engagement.

Q (Nina): As a student influencer, does intentionality within schoolwork/career/social media become more important to you than being intentional in day to day life?

A (Bailey): I completely see intentionality playing into my day to day life more as I make social media a stronger focus. Since I’ve made more time and effort to block out segments of the day for

content I find myself being on a healthier schedule with timing in my other obligations. I wake up

earlier to allow myself to plan the day ahead and check off necessary boxes before getting in

front of the camera. I also have found that I have been more intentional with career moves in

this field, I indulge myself with people I know can help me grow in the field and learn from them!

School work, although it doesn’t play directly into my intentionality of social media has improved

in the sense of being more present. Since I wake up with more of a scheduled plan through the

day I am able to block off and really concentrate on work when I know there’s nothing

surrounding me that could be of a distraction to be working on instead.

Hope this little post on intentionality is something that can be really insightful and eye-opening as you click out of this and start scrolling on Instagram. Just remember, always, that you are defined on your own terms, not by the impact of others from a social platform. Together we can bring out the fun and joy of social media through intentionality... and I really, truly believe that!

Deep love,

Nina Lee

(found on Pinterest)