Scrolling through Jessica Olson’s Instagram feed you could easily think she has it all.
The 22-year-old from Sydney is happily in love, was recently on a trip to Melbourne, enjoys working out, keeps an eye on her nutrition and has a knack for applying her make up with prowess.
But it’s what you don’t see that takes up the majority of Jessica’s life: battling her fourth bout of cancer.
But it’s what you don’t see that takes up the majority of Jessica’s life: battling her fourth bout of cancer (Jessica pictured)
The blonde bombshell has been affected by the deadly disease for almost seven years – moving between times of wellness and sickness near constantly.
On her blog, Today We Fight, the brave young woman details why she keeps her social media feed as a ‘highlight reel’ – and why she doesn’t want to share the side of her that ‘has been vomiting all week and unable to sleep.’
‘I had a friend message me the other day saying how glad they were that I was looking so happy, healthy and positive on Instagram,’ she began.
‘I replied that I’d been vomiting all week, unable to sleep and the photos they saw on Instagram were a brief, bright moment I captured when I wasn’t feeling under the weather for a portion of the day.
‘I’m guilty of the same. Most recently I had a friend pass who I knew was unwell, but I didn’t realise the extent. Only a few days before her passing she uploaded images celebrating, having fun with a friend and getting outdoors.
The blonde bombshell has been affected by the deadly disease for almost seven years – moving between times of wellness and sickness near constantly’ (Jessica pictured)
Jessica admits she ‘loves’ to post on Instagram and if she doesn’t have anything new to update her followers with she’ll post an older, happier memory
‘We go on Instagram to share in others lives, yet if all we saw was negativity and darkness we surely would stop logging on. When something doesn’t make you feel good, and you don’t get a dopamine release, then why would you keep doing that thing? You wouldn’t.
‘Is there anything so wrong with just posting what makes your heart sing?’
Jessica admits she ‘loves’ to post on Instagram and if she doesn’t have anything new to update her followers with she’ll post an older, happier memory.
‘My mum always says I mislead people by posting the brief happy moments, as no one realises how truly sick I am. But I don’t want to dwell on being sick, I want to remain real but celebrate the moments I cherish – brief as they may be,’ she explained.
‘My mum always says I mislead people by posting the brief happy moments, as no one realises how truly sick I am,’ she said (Jessica and her boyfriend Josh pictured)
‘But I don’t want to dwell on being sick, I want to remain real but celebrate the moments I cherish – brief as they may be,’ she explained (Jess pictured)
‘I’m in Melbourne with my beautiful Josh and of course things haven’t been a breeze with my health. I vomit, I have anxiety attacks, panic attacks, I get nausea, dizzy, weak and tired quickly. But then sometimes I’m happy, energetic, hungry and bouncing off the walls. The latter is when we make our happy memories and capture them to share.
‘I don’t necessarily think this is a bad thing at all, dwelling on the bad helps no one and celebrating the joyous moments in each day is a part of living a grateful life. Whilst social media may be fake, happy moments aren’t. Whilst there are sad points throughout the day, there are also multitudes of blessings; and Instagram let’s us amplify them.
‘Last night Josh and I went to dinner. We dressed up, lined up for the waiting list then waited an agonising 2 hours to eat. When we got there the vibe was awesome, but the food was a little spicy. It didn’t agree with my belly and two hours later I was vomiting it up in the bathroom. Then, I cried for an hour because I was frustrated with myself, upset at my situation and felt guilty that Josh had to hear all of that.’
What Jess chose to post to Instagram were these pictures.
What Jess chose to post to Instagram were these pictures of her and Josh in Melbourne
She didn’t post a photo of herself bent over the toilet bowl in pain
She didn’t post a photo of herself bent over the toilet bowl in pain.
‘So if you’re umm-ing and ahh-ing about sharing your happy moments on the gram in fear of being labelled as fake, I hope that this article has influenced your decision a little in my direction. I hope you’ll choose to celebrate your happy moments and share them with whoever wishes to consume your life,’ she said.
‘I should note that people who choose to share their struggles on a public scale via posting or sharing media are also entitled to show their “bad” moments. Maybe your aim is to be transparent or own your situation publicly. Perhaps you’re spreading awareness for a particular disease you have.
‘So if you’re umm-ing and ahh-ing about sharing your happy moments on the gram in fear of being labelled as fake, I hope that this article has influenced your decision a little in my direction,’ she said
‘I totally support you in sharing that and I think knowledge is power; which is what you’re gifting your followers about your life,’ she said
‘I totally support you in sharing that and I think knowledge is power; which is what you’re gifting your followers about your life.
‘I just really want to make the point that sharing happy and great moments doesn’t undermine your situation or take away the seriousness.’
You can follow Jessica’s Instagram page by clicking here.