Instagram Friends

Instagram Friends

Be encouraged and knit together by strong ties of love.

Colossians 2:2

In an effort to keep myself awake during my newborn daughter’s nighttime feedings, I began idly scrolling through Instagram. As I did, I stumbled across small online-only shops selling resale women’s or children’s clothing. After purchasing from several of these shops, I had the idea that it would be fun to try online selling for myself. After doing some research, I launched my own small shop, selling items purged from my own closet or thrifted from area stores.

Although millions of people have Instagram accounts, the number of folks who have shops similar to mine is a smaller community. In an effort to increase exposure and sales, a group of sellers began to share each other’s shops on our own pages. One day, the owner of one of the shops I admired invited me to join a group of sellers on a messenger app that would allow us to communicate more easily. Hoping to build my business and network, I readily agreed.

It wasn’t long before my husband began teasing me about my newfound friends whom I’d never actually met. Ashley had been in the air force, and Emily’s husband was currently in the military. Rose was married to a pastor, and Shelly, from Memphis, was my style twin. Karen lived in Oregon, while Jessica, Lauren, and Rachel all lived in California. We chatted daily, sharing more and more of our lives, including family photos and struggles with parenting and work, until I felt like they were truly friends. When Jen’s mother passed away, we grieved her loss and sent flowers to the funeral. When Miclyn, Alicia, and Darby became pregnant, we rejoiced with them. When Rose had her baby, we sent small gifts to celebrate the new arrival.

The daily interaction I had with this group of women—despite our different ages, backgrounds, and life circumstances—became a source of support when the days were hard. In our age, it’s more and more common to have online friendships. While perhaps not a replacement for in-real-life friendships, these relationships can bring very real connection and encouragement.

—Kristin

— Today’s Act of Kindness —

Encourage an online friend by sending a thoughtful message.