Last week, a friend asked me if I was an influencer. I immediately cringed as thoughts of #sponsored content and elitist social hierarchies flooded my mind. So I laughed and assured them I was NOT, explaining that I have a very modest following mostly made up of people I’ve actually met or know. Not to mention my writing is authentic and have never been paid to say or share anything. I sat with the question. The term didn’t feel aligned with how I view myself and I was troubled by the idea that it might be the way my friends see me. Honestly, it felt like an insult. Seeing me processing, my friend went on to share how much they have actually been positively influenced by me. I began to wonder what actually defines an “influencer.” Until now, I assumed it was about a number of followers (and/or butt photos). The more I sat with it, the more I considered how much I have been positively (and negatively) influenced by people myself. I thought back to my preschoolers, remembering how I helped them challenge norms and build self-worth. I considered the idea that having an influence over others isn’t necessarily always a bad thing (though it can be). Maybe, if done right, being an influencer can be a good thing. Even so, there is still something about the term that makes my skin crawl. I decided that instead of being valued for my influence over folks, I want to be valued for my impact on them. So I settled on a new term: Impacter (n.) a person or thing that impacts another. Turns out, I know a LOT of impacters. Their impact doesn’t live in which brands they use, their follow count, their sponsors, or who they know. It’s in the way they use their platform (no matter the size) to uplift others. It’s in their authenticity. In the way they build and support inclusive communities and relationships. The way they advocate for equity. Cheer on their friends. The way they inspire us to shatter our own perceived limits and foster self-actualization. The way they use their influence selflessly to speak up, make room, and give back rather. So no, I am not an influencer but I hope to be an impacter. 📸: @alexbrookslife #impacter #influencer #useyourplatform