{"id":3514,"date":"2025-05-22T11:01:00","date_gmt":"2025-05-22T11:01:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/curiousdrive.com\/?p=3514"},"modified":"2025-05-28T21:34:22","modified_gmt":"2025-05-28T21:34:22","slug":"i-shared-my-lowest-moments-on-my-instagram-story-i-dont-regret-it","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/curiousdrive.com\/index.php\/2025\/05\/22\/i-shared-my-lowest-moments-on-my-instagram-story-i-dont-regret-it\/","title":{"rendered":"I shared my lowest moments on my Instagram story \u2014 I don\u2019t regret it"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\n\t\t\"Still\t<\/div>
Social media has turned oversharing into a performance (Picture: Joe Twigg Photography)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Years ago, only your diary or your actual <\/em>close friends<\/a> would know your deepest, darkest thoughts. Now, many people are uploading them daily to a little circle on Instagram: a space treated like a confessional, only without the priest. <\/p>\n

The list of confidents might include a random girl you met on a night out<\/a>, your distant friend\u2019s ex, or someone you\u2019ve never even spoken to – and yet, they\u2019ve seen you in tears, know your childhood trauma, or the name of your annoying manager. <\/p>\n

The urge to document, or vlog, intimate thoughts and personal breakdowns is an idea explored in Overshare, a play currently showing at London’s Greenwich Theatre<\/a>. <\/p>\n

Written and performed by Eleanor Hill, Overshare is a monologue-driven play about mental health<\/a>, internet culture and how social media has turned oversharing into a performance. <\/p>\n

The story is rooted in Eleanor\u2019s own experience. In 2020, during the height of the pandemic, she shared glimpses of a genuine mental health crisis on Instagram while struggling to access support. <\/p>\n

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\n\t\t\"Eleanor\t<\/div>
Eleanor livestreams a series of monologues (Picture: Joe Twigg Photography)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Eleanor\u2019s \u2018meltdown\u2019, as she refers to it, inspired a series of monologues which then became a 2023 Edinburgh Fringe show. The extended version, Overshare, brings those experiences to the stage.<\/p>\n

The play is set in Eleanor\u2019s messy bedroom at her dad\u2019s house. She grasps her phone throughout the performance, and her front-facing camera projects live footage above the stage, turning the audience into a mirror of her online followers. <\/p>\n

With monologue titles like \u2018Dead Mum\u2019 and \u2018Problematic Wanks\u2019, the semi-autobiographical play shares insight into Eleanor\u2019s life, touching on everything from low moods, the loss of her mum and domestic abuse. <\/p>\n

\u2018I turned to Instagram to get out all of my thoughts and feelings<\/strong>\u2019<\/h2>\n

Eleanor\u2019s urge to share online began during the pandemic. As a recent drama school graduate living at her dad\u2019s house, she tells Metro<\/strong>: \u2018I was spending a lot of time in my room, and not being able to go out and see humans.\u2019<\/p>\n

Dealing with depression, an abusive relationship, and struggling to gain mental health support, she says: \u2018I turned to Instagram to get out all of my thoughts and feelings.\u2019<\/p>\n

She describes much of the content she shared as \u2018completely raw and unfiltered\u2019. While many were just spectators of Eleanor\u2019s Instagram stories, some appreciated her candour. <\/p>\n

\u2018I don\u2019t have a massive following,\u2019 she says. \u2018But from the people who do follow me, I got quite a good reaction. <\/p>\n

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class=\"metro-related-video-carousel__related-video-placeholder\">\n<div class=\"metro-related-video-carousel__related-video-placeholder-thumbnail\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<div class=\"metro-related-video-carousel__related-video-placeholder-headline\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span><\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span><\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span><\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"metro-related-video-carousel__related-video-placeholder\">\n<div class=\"metro-related-video-carousel__related-video-placeholder-thumbnail\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<div class=\"metro-related-video-carousel__related-video-placeholder-headline\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span><\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span><\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span><\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"metro-related-video-carousel__related-video-placeholder\">\n<div class=\"metro-related-video-carousel__related-video-placeholder-thumbnail\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<div class=\"metro-related-video-carousel__related-video-placeholder-headline\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span><\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span><\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span><\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"metro-related-video-carousel__related-video-placeholder\">\n<div class=\"metro-related-video-carousel__related-video-placeholder-thumbnail\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<div class=\"metro-related-video-carousel__related-video-placeholder-headline\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span><\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span><\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span><\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>\t\t\twindow.addEventListener(‘metroVideo:relatedVideosCarouselLoaded’, function(data) {<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tif (typeof(data.detail) === ‘undefined’ || typeof(data.detail.carousel) === ‘undefined’ || typeof(data.detail.carousel.el_) === ‘undefined’) {<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\treturn;<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t}<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tvar player = data.detail.carousel.el_;<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tvar container = player.closest(‘.metro-video-player’);<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tvar placeholder = container.querySelector(‘.metro-video-player__up-next-placeholder’);<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tcontainer.removeChild(placeholder);<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tcontainer.classList.add(‘metro-video-player–related-videos-loaded’);<br \/>\n\t\t\t});<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>\u2018They appreciated that someone was being real and honest and saying they were having a terrible time, because everyone else was busy making banana bread and pretending it was the best time.\u2019<\/p>\n<p>Others, however, barely interacted with them. \u2018I was sharing a lot of things, and people were watching a lot of things,\u2019 she says. \u2018They might have emoji reacted, but they weren\u2019t really reaching out and helping. <\/p>\n<p>\u2018When I got a bit better, it honestly made me a little bit sick if I\u2019m honest.\u2019<\/p>\n<p>Eleanor eventually managed to get therapy, and now, she looks back on these stories with mixed feelings.<\/p>\n<p>\u2018I watch them back and sometimes I think, \u201cOh god, I feel for her\u201d. But at the same time, I think go on, get it all out there.<\/p>\n<p>\u2018I was in an abusive relationship and it all just kind of came exploding out and, in a way, I\u2019m glad it did, because if it hadn\u2019t then I don\u2019t know where I\u2019d be right now.\u2019<\/p>\n<p>However, she notes that sharing online can be a \u2018double-edged sword\u2019. She says: \u2018The oversharing and putting it all out there. I think I got lost in the performance aspect of it.<\/p>\n<p>\u2018I was almost forgetting to ask myself for consent to share the things I was sharing because I might have been drunk or depressed or upset or angry or whatever, and it all just comes out.<\/p>\n<p>\u2018Because of the immediacy of social media, you\u2019ve just got your phone in your hand, and you can just put it out there.\u2019<\/p>\n<p>However, ultimately, Eleanor views sharing online as beneficial and as a saviour for her own mental health. <\/p>\n<p>She says: \u2018Sharing in general is always going to be better than not sharing. Personally, I believe that if we don\u2019t share, that\u2019s probably where the danger is.\u2019<\/p>\n<figure class=\"img-container shareable-item wp-caption\">\n<div class=\"img-wrap\">\n\t\t<img width=\"646\" height=\"431\" src=\"http:\/\/curiousdrive.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SEI_252447212-0614.jpg\" class=\"article-image wp-image-23175971\" alt=\"Eleanor Hill speaking to her phone in the play Overshare.\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>\t<\/div><figcaption>Eleanor describes her Instagram stories as ‘raw and unfiltered’ (Picture: Joe Twigg Photography)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Why do we overshare so much online?<\/h2>\n<p>One definition of oversharing suggested by a 2012 psychology paper is that it\u2019s an \u2018excessive generosity with information about one\u2019s private life or the private life of others\u2019. But what is considered ‘excessive’ is hard to pin down. <\/p>\n<p>For an influencer, it might be a part of their money-making strategy. For the average person, though, it can be driven by deeper emotional needs. <\/p>\n<p>Psychologist Reza Shabahang explored this in a 2023 study, which identified many forms of oversharing online, including sadfishing – the act of posting emotional or distressing content online to elicit sympathy. <\/p>\n<p>The research, which focused on teenagers, found that those who frequently shared emotional content online tend to have higher levels of anxiety and attention-seeking tendencies. They also reported an excessive attachment to social media, with many having an \u2018intense urge to post\u2019. <\/p>\n<p>In his book Oversharing: Presentations of Self in the Internet Age, sociologist Ben Agger claims that in the online world, many reveal \u2018more of their inner feelings, opinions and sexuality than they would in person, or even over the phone\u2019. <\/p>\n<p>This is partly due to the online disinhibition effect, a sense of freedom to express thoughts and behaviours through a screen. <\/p>\n<p>Research psychologist Dr Emma Palmer-Cooper tells <strong>Metro<\/strong>: \u2018The perceived anonymity of online platforms can make people more willing to share personal or emotional content, particularly if they believe their identity is concealed.\u2019<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What are the dangers of sharing too much?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Dr Emma explains that sharing online can offer a \u2018sense of relief or validation\u2019, especially if others empathise with the content. Online platforms can also offer a sense of connection. <\/p>\n<p>She explains: \u2018Many people find community and support online, particularly around shared experiences, niche interests or identities that may be underrepresented in their offline lives.\u2019<\/p>\n<p>However, Dr Emma urges people to consider the long-term consequences before posting intimate details about their lives. <\/p>\n<p>\u2018What\u2019s shared online tends to stay online, and unlike private, in-person conversations, online disclosures can be screenshot, reshared or misinterpreted by people far outside the intended audience.\u2019<\/p>\n<p>She also notes that people may be less inclined to intervene when they witness oversharing online, compared to in person. <\/p>\n<p>She explains: \u2018This might be due to uncertainty about how to respond, a feeling that it\u2019s not their place, or simply digital fatigue from frequent exposure to emotionally charged content.\u2019<\/p>\n<p><em>Overshare is showing at Greenwich Theatre until May 25. <\/em><\/p>\n<div class=\"factbox\" data-ico=\"factbox_article\" data-track-module=\"factbox_article\">\n<h2 class=\"factbox-title\">\n\t\t\t\tQuestions to ask yourself before you 'overshare' online\t\t\t<\/h2>\n<div class=\"factbox-content\">\n<p>Before posting something personal online, Dr Emma says it’s worth asking yourself a few questions: <\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Am I happy for everyone to know this about me?<\/li>\n<li>Is it something I’m still working through?<\/li>\n<li>Who might see this and am I comfortable with them knowing this level of detail about me?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>She explains: ‘If you’re uncertain, it’s probably best to hold off until you’ve had time to reflect and feel more confident in your decision.<\/p>\n<p>‘That moment of consideration can help safeguard your privacy, protect relationships and ensure that your sharing is international rather than reactive.’<\/p>\n<p><strong>What to do if you decide not to post online<\/strong> <\/p>\n<p>If you decide that you don’t want to share certain information online, Dr Emma advises exploring alternative ways of processing thoughts and feelings. <\/p>\n<p>She says: ‘Journalling, for example, can be a useful way to get thoughts “out of your head” and into a space where they can be organised. Often, simply writing things down helps to regulate emotions and your thoughts, meaning that detailed public sharing may no longer feel necessary.’<\/p>\n<p>You can use a traditional notebook, an app, or even VoiceNote yourself if you find that easier. <\/p>\n<p>She adds: ‘Counselling and psychotherapy offer confidential, supportive environments in which to explore thoughts, feelings or experiences. <\/p>\n<p>‘These services are open to anyone looking for a space to feel heard, gain insight or work through challenges.’<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p class=\"\"><strong>Do you have a story to share?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"\"><strong>Get in touch by emailing <a href=\"mailto:MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk\">MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Social media has turned oversharing into a performance (Picture: Joe Twigg Photography) Years ago, only your diary or your actual close friends would know your deepest, darkest thoughts. Now, many people are uploading them daily to a little circle on Instagram: a space treated like a confessional, only without the priest.  The list of confidents […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":3516,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[9],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/curiousdrive.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3514"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/curiousdrive.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/curiousdrive.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/curiousdrive.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/curiousdrive.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3514"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"http:\/\/curiousdrive.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3514\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3520,"href":"http:\/\/curiousdrive.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3514\/revisions\/3520"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/curiousdrive.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3516"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/curiousdrive.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3514"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/curiousdrive.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3514"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/curiousdrive.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3514"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}