From Filters to Freedom: Lee Tilghman’s Journey Out of the Instagram Abyss

Lee Tilghman, known as the wellness influencer @LeeFromAmerica, had the world seemingly at her feet—but behind the picture-perfect posts was a much darker reality. Despite her impressive following of over 400,000 fans and a hefty annual income from sponsored posts, Tilghman was battling anxiety, depression, and an eating disorder that dictated her life decisions. In her latest memoir, *If You Don’t Like This Post, I Will Die*, she candidly shares the toll that her obsession with maintaining a certain image took on her mental and physical health. Turns out, being “well” doesn’t always mean being happy.

As she restricted her diet to an extreme level—goodbye gluten, dairy, and sugar—she became increasingly isolated, often too afraid to step into a restaurant. The tipping point? A controversial wellness workshop that faced backlash for perceived elitism made her realize just how out of touch she was with reality. After losing sponsors and a harsh wake-up call from her own flooded apartment, Tilghman took the leap many can only dream of. She deleted her Instagram account and sought help at a treatment center, finally prioritizing her well-being over her online persona.

Now, as she starts to reclaim her life, she reflects on how social media can constrict us more than it liberates us. “The whimsy is back,” Tilghman proclaims. Isn’t it refreshing to hear a story that connects so many of us—learning to let go of perfection in pursuit of happiness? So what’s the verdict: could you unplug from social media without spiraling or do you think it would take something drastic like a flood?

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