‘Normalising it’: Fitness blogger embraces eczema in poignant post

While the tide seems to be turning against so-called influencers who manipulate images before showcasing them on their social media channels, we're still a long way off making Instagram a filter-free zone, which is why fitness influencer, Karina Irby, is such a breath of fresh air.

Using her social media account as a platform to reach out to those suffering from skin conditions, Karina gave an insight into the effect eczema has had on her life.

 

Ok. It’s time to make a change. Compliment the person who’s commented previously! The internet has so much silly and unwanted negativity on it, why don’t we try and change it! Instead of putting one another down, lets pick each other up. Sounds cheesy but it’s so true. Get commenting and get complimenting! A little love goes a loooooong way Ps – Filter VS no filter just so you can see my edit

A post shared by KARINA IRBY (@karinairby) on Jan 3, 2018 at 3:41am PST

Sharing a photo of herself in a bikini, Karina wrote: "This photo is hard for me to post. One of my goals this year is to create normality to a few seriously common things people world wide are dealing with day to day."

"For me this is eczema and cellulite, and together they’re not the most flattery combo," she continued. "I wanted to share this image showing off my angry skin and cellulite to help raise awareness that THIS IS NORMAL."

 

This photo is hard for me to post… One of my goals this year is to create normality to a few seriously common things people world wide are dealing with day to day. For me this is eczema and cellulite, and together they’re not the most flattery combo I wanted to share this image showing off my angry skin and cellulite to help raise awareness that THIS IS NORMAL. I want to help love and support other angry skin suffers that are covering up, feeling self conscious and even being bullied that they’re not alone I’ve been there, and I’m still dealing and accepting my skin every single day. Lately I’ve been receiving a lot of DM’s from eczema suffers all around the world giving me their personal advice and even saying thank you for sharing. Instead of the DM’s please comment below your questions, advice or anything you like that may help another in need. And more importantly, to prove to someone else that eczema is common, and they’re alone and shouldn’t feel uncomfortable and singled out. When I was a teenager I felt so alienated, unhappy and self conscious. I felt so alone and that no one knew what I had to deal with every day. Little did I know I had an entire community behind me, I just needed time to grow and realise it. So for all those young people out there that may be feeling the same… I got you’re back

A post shared by KARINA IRBY (@karinairby) on Jan 25, 2018 at 1:40am PST

Reaching out to fans and followers who may suffer from the same condition, Karina explained: "I want to help love and support other angry skin suffers that are covering up, feeling self conscious and even being bullied that they’re not alone."

"When I was a teenager I felt so alienated, unhappy and self conscious. I felt so alone and that no one knew what I had to deal with every day. Little did I know I had an entire community behind me, I just needed time to grow and realise it."

"So for all those young people out there that may be feeling the same… I got you’re back," she added. (sic)

 

Perspective VS reality This is me. Current day. I wanted to share this with you because I think it's important to stay true and real on social media. I can assure you the only difference in these two photos are the way I'm standing and wearing my bikini. We all know our angles and don't always share the images of us not looking our best. Therefore, sometimes we can share an unrealistic showcase of ourselves. Of course we all want to share photos of ourselves where we look good, great, our best! I know that I do. I'm sure that you do. It's just human nature. However, this nature of Social Media, and our usage of it, encourages unrealistic expectations. Everyone posts pictures of themselves on their best day, in their best angle, and everyone else feels that their everyday self isn't good enough, or doesn't match up, or can't compete. It's important to focus on yourself and your own goals instead of comparing yourself to others constantly. Run your own race and set your own goals, the only person you need to impress is you!@MOANA_BIKINI @BIKINI.BODY.BURN

A post shared by KARINA IRBY (@karinairby) on Aug 7, 2017 at 1:32pm PDT

Karina's post has been liked more than 67,000 times in mere days, with many Instagram users paying tribute to Karina's candour.

"Nice to see someone post a NORMAL photo that isn't photoshopped or altered," wrote one follower. "We all have our things and nobody is perfect, so own what you got and ROCK IT!"

You do you, Karina.