On February 6th 2023, we will celebrate the fifth annual #ReclaimSocial. Reclaim Social is a movement created by Lightful to celebrate all the good social media has achieved and encourage positive social media use.
During our recent roundtable, we discussed using social media for good by building communities and forming meaningful connections. It isn’t always easy, though, as fake news, trolls and unachievable beauty standards often plague our feeds with negativity. Still, through social media resilience, we can support one another to navigate social media positively and safely.
Despite the negativity online, there is a lot of good out there, too. That’s why we are shining the light on inspirational accounts that use social media positively every day.
Five of our heroes of positivity:
Katie Abey
Mental health advocate and colourful illustrator Katie Abey celebrates individuality with unapologetically weird and wonderful illustrations. Her account is a space for positive quotes and affirmations that bring joy and support to others.
What makes this account special?
- Showcases a gender-fluid, family-run business
- Advocation for positive mental health
- It breaks up your feed with bold colours and positive vibes
The Happy Newspaper / Emily Coxhead
When the news gets you down, there is no better pallet cleanser than The Happy News, founded by Emily Coxhead. This channel uses playful, bright designs and ONLY shares good news, a crucial reminder that things aren’t always bad.
What makes this account special?
- Donates Happy Newspapers to schools
- Cheerful and colourful social feed to make your day
- Showcases the kindness of humanity
The Pansy Project
Artist Paul Harfleet inspires us with his incredible drive to create beauty in the bleakest places. The Pansy Project aims to plant pansies at the site of homophobic abuse; by finding the nearest source of soil to where the incident occurred and planting a single, unmarked pansy.
What makes this account special?
- Sparks conversation by addressing homophobic abuse in a captivating way
- Increases awareness of LGBTQ+ rights
- Powerfully uses art to make a statement
Anna Przy
Anna Przy is a creator who loves to share positive manifestation videos and motivational messages… with a difference. She is regularly found in her robe in the garden shouting to the universe to chill out, which not only brings positive vibes but never fails to draw out a laugh.
What makes this account special?
- Anna’s videos are accessible and relatable
- She gets motivational messaging out in a new and exciting way
- Her posts are true chaotic goodness
Felicity Hayward
Curve model, author of ‘Does my butt look big in this’, lingerie designer, TEDx speaker and all-around self-love queen. Felicity Hayward is an iconic example of breaking societal norms and educating people on self-love.
What makes this account special?
- Spreading the message of self-acceptance
- Educating the fashion industry on size inclusivity
- Being unapologetically fierce
Are you looking for more ways to improve your mental health online? Take a look at our other blogs.
