Why I Turn to Instagram Instead of Facebook to Post About My Illness

I spend a good amount of time on social media.

I can be found on Facebook creeping through my friends’ pages and posting randomness on my page as well. I know that my “friends” on there, which include a lot of family and friends, are aware of my chronic illnesses, but I don’t go in depth about it. I feel like on Facebook posts are not taken seriously unless it’s about sex, drugs and politics. Talking about having chronic illnesses is not something that gets people to talk, let alone share the message. Now don’t get me wrong, there are a lot of groups on Facebook that are dedicated to various chronic illnesses, but only in those communities is your voice heard. That’s why I turn to Instagram to get my chronic illness feelings off my chest.

There are others on there like me.

They want to be heard, too. They want to be able to post pictures that others will understand because either they are also going through it or can relate. With a simple hashtag at the end of the post, you open a door for new people that are fellow spoonies or supporters to follow you. I post can post exactly how I feel at the moment with no shame because you know you aren’t alone. That’s the best part of it all. On other social media outlets it’s not that easy, I feel, to make the connections that I do on Instagram.

I make my own memes.

My memes better explain how I feel. I was originally very nervous about making them because I didn’t think anyone would like them, but they do. It’s also because I support other peoples’ memes as well. A lot of love is shown on Instagram as well.

I want to make as many chronic illness friends that I can.

I love my spoonie friends and I want to help others not feel alone and also for myself not to feel alone. I enjoy the people who reach out to me with questions and I appreciate the ones who answer the questions that I have as well.

Thank you, Instagram.

For being so simple to use that no matter how I’m feeling, I can post. Thank you for the hashtags that make it easier to find relatable topics and friends. Thank you for just being awesome!

Follow this journey on Chronically Nikki.

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