Stina Sanders: Model who lost thousands of followers for posting 'honest' pictures releases #UNFILTERED

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In November, Stina Sanders took part in an experiment to see how people would react to a London-based model posting ‘honest’ pictures on social media more accurately reflecting her everyday life. Despite working in a trade so tied up in aesthetics, and where Instagram can make or break a modelling career, Sanders agreed.

For the next week, followers flocking to her page suddenly found themselves looking at pictures of unwashed hair, chipped toenails, facial hair bleaching and Sanders pre-colonic irrigation.

The 25-year-old has grappled with anxiety and panic attacks throughout her life, so pictures of her before attending therapy also went in there too. As the images mounted up, the followers began to disappear and 5,000 left by the finish of the experiment.

Ultimately, however, it proved to be an overwhelming success: Sander’s story resonated across social media and her follower count jumped to near 130,000. While the reaction from some corners was negative, many have praised her for demonstrating how the 'perfection' perpetuated by influencers is simply a veneer.

She continues to leave honest pictures interspersed with polished images more typical of Instagram.

Now she has co-founded a new app, Huggle, and published her first book, #UNFILTERED, a reflection on her life, social media, navigating unsolicited d**k pics, anxiety and the realities of womanhood.

The Independent spoke to Sanders about how anxiety has affected her career and become the inspiration for her first book.

What happened when you suffered your first panic attack, and what was the trigger?

I've had anxiety since I can remember but my first panic attack was when I collapsed in the street. I thought I was having a heart attack. My chest tightened, my vision went blurry and limbs went numb. I couldn't speak. Luckily the person who helped me was a nurse and she recognised what was happening so managed to calm me down. From that day I would have about six attacks every single day. It was crippling to the point where I didn't want to leave my bed, let alone my house.

How bad did your panic attacks get? You said you lost your job - where were you working and what happened?

They were so bad that I started excluding myself from social and family gatherings. I was 20 and working for a hardcore sales job which was extremely stressful. The pressure of working at somewhere that I hated on top of how I was already feeling got the better of me.

I had anxiety at the thought of going in to the office. I called in sick for so many days because I was terrified of failing at my job or having a panic attack in public. Eventually my boss had to let me go. But if I had been more open about my mental state I think they would have helped with my work load. I think companies definitely need to implement a program to help their employees who suffer from mental health issues.

How does social media affect your anxiety now that you have more followers?

It doesn't affect me hugely on my page because luckily my followers are lovely and supportive, but social media can give me really bad FOMO. When I see my friends having a good time or people enjoying their life but I'm at home on my own, that can make me feel anxious. I often feel lonely which is ridiculous because I have a group of wonderful friends but having spoken to people about it, including my therapist, the feeling of being lonely is quite common in adulthood.

Does or has social media ever helped you with your anxiety? In what ways?

As much as people complain about social media, without it we wouldn't have this temporary connection that we have with friends or people we haven't even met. People who often message me on social media need to chat and more often than not we end up discussing anxiety. Having someone to talk to is key to feeling better. Never keep yourself closed up no matter how ridiculous you think you might be feeling. If you don't feel you can speak to someone in person, then write them a message online. It's still communication.

How was your anxiety affected by taking a step away from modelling and focusing on blogging?

The anxiety changed from worrying I wasn't skinny enough to then worrying about how I came across online. There is a certain pressure to say or do the right thing but eventually it got to the point where I knew I had to be honest with myself as well as my readers. People aren't stupid - they can read through the fakery of social media. Nobody’s life is perfect.

Can you explain a bit more about what you are doing now?

I just co-founded an app called Huggle and I've launched my book #UNFILTERED, which is all about the horrible and hilarious truths of growing into a woman. It's an extended version of my blog, basically where I leave nothing to the imagination. It's very honest - probably too honest. I wrote it in the hope that it will make people feel better about their past mistakes or current issues. It's written with a psychologist, who helps to make sense of everything I've gone through.