Follow yourself!
Dedicated to young people and their search for authenticity in a world where social media often sets standards that no one can truly meet.
For The Project
Being yourself is not a trend — it’s a strength.
The “Follow Yourself” project by the ProBudnik Association is dedicated to young people and their search for authenticity in a world where social media often sets standards that no one can truly meet. The initiative is inspired by the need to counter the culture of imitation and to encourage self-confidence, critical thinking, and conscious online presence.
Today, more and more young people measure their self-worth through the number of followers, likes, and filtered images. The pressure to be “perfect” and to fit into unrealistic models of beauty, success, or behavior can lead to a loss of identity, insecurity, and even aggression. Bulgaria ranks among the leading countries in Europe in terms of online violence, and the consequences of digital pressure are increasingly spilling beyond the screen.
“Follow Yourself” offers a positive alternative — through real role models, educational activities, a video podcast featuring inspiring guests, and a discussion forum planned for early 2026. The project creates a space where young people can both listen and be heard — to talk about values, choices, doubts, and strength.
Among the key outputs of the initiative is also the board game “Follow Yourself!”, which in a fun and interactive way develops confidence, critical thinking, and skills for dealing with social media pressure.
The project is part of the accredited activities of the ProBudnik Association and is aimed at young people aged 15 to 29. Its main goal is to help participants build a strong sense of self-worth and to address hate speech and online aggression.
Because before you follow others — you have to follow yourself.
Our Messages
The messages in “Follow Yourself!” do not offer ready-made answers. They interrupt the scrolling and create space for questions — about comparison, the need for approval, and the voice we listen to most often. Each card is a small invitation to return to yourself, to look beyond numbers and profiles, and to choose more consciously how you live — both online and beyond the screen.
YOUR MOST IMPORTANT MATCH IS WITH THE PERSON IN THE MIRROR
In a world where we constantly compare ourselves — to profiles, photos, filters, and other people’s lives — the hardest battle remains the one with ourselves.
With expectations we have adopted as our own.
With the voice that tells us we are not enough.
“Follow Yourself” begins exactly here — with the ability to see yourself without masks, without applause, and without an audience. Because confidence does not come from how many people like you, but from whether you can stand in front of your own reflection and accept it.
Do not get cought in the numbers…
Likes, views, and followers may feel like a reward.
Sometimes — like proof of worth.
But numbers don’t tell the whole story. They don’t measure courage, friendship, effort, or kindness. And the more we believe in them, the easier it is to fall into the trap of doing things not because they are ours, but because they are “liked.”
Not falling for the numbers means reclaiming your choice: what matters to you — and why.
Live The Story, Not The Stories
Real stories don’t disappear after 24 hours.
They stay — in the body, in memory, in the way we change.
Social media teaches us to document life, but not always to experience it. To think about the frame instead of the moment. About the reaction instead of the feeling.
“Follow Yourself” invites you to shift the focus back — from the screen to the experience. From sharing to living.
YOU STAND FIRM WHEN YOU DON’T DEPEND ON OTHERS’ APPROVAL
Approval feels good.
But when it becomes a necessity, it starts to tip the balance.
Every like, comment, or compliment can lift us — or bring us down. That’s why real stability comes from knowing who you are, even when no one is watching.
You stand firm not because everyone agrees with you, but because you’ve found your inner grounding. It’s a skill. And it can be learned.
FOLLOW GOOD EXAMPLES, NOT PROFILES
Profiles show images.
Examples show actions.
In the digital world, it’s easy to get lost in other people’s versions of success. Much harder is to find people who live in alignment with their values — both online and offline.
“Follow Yourself” doesn’t encourage you to copy, but to choose. To seek meaning, not popularity. And to be inspired by people who leave a mark — not just content.
The Training
Between November 25 and 27, the “Follow Yourself!” training took place in the village of Lozen, bringing together 20 young people and youth workers from different cities across Bulgaria. Over the course of three days, participants explored topics related to confidence, identity, and the impact of the digital environment on how we think about ourselves and others.
Обучението комбинира неформални образователни методи, практически упражнения и открити разговори. Участниците преминаха през интерактивни модули като „Кой говори в главата ми?“, посветен на вътрешния критик и онлайн сравняването, „Алгоритъмът срещу мен“, в който се анализира как социалните мрежи формират поведение и емоции, и „Живот без филтър“ – серия от упражнения за автентично общуване и изразяване без нужда от външно одобрение.
Чрез ролеви игри, групови дискусии и работа с реални онлайн ситуации участниците изследваха теми като езика на омразата, дезинформацията, натиска за харесване и страха да бъдеш различен. Вечерните сесии бяха посветени на споделяне на лични истории и опит – без телефони, без публика и без оценка.
Обучението завърши с практическа лаборатория „Последвай себе си на практика“, в която участниците разработиха собствени идеи за послания, активности и инструменти, насочени към техните общности. Основният фокус не беше върху правилните отговори, а върху умението да задаваш въпроси, да разпознаваш натиска и да правиш по-съзнателни избори – онлайн и в реалния живот.
