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Influencing Unfiltered

Pulling back the curtain on the influencer industry. Confessions from an ex-influencer.


What I've Learned (and Gained) Being Off Instagram

Mar 7, 2026

•

10 min read

What I've Learned (and Gained) Being Off Instagram

on style, creativity, staying informed, and friendship

The Inescapable Allure of Influencing

Nov 15, 2025

•

8 min read

The Inescapable Allure of Influencing

money money money money, money

Jess Kirby
Jess Kirby
The Thing About All Those Gift Guides
LockSimple

Nov 7, 2025

•

5 min read

The Thing About All Those Gift Guides

what kind of money are we talking here?

Jess Kirby
Jess Kirby
How to Stop Buying Things You Don't Need

Sep 5, 2025

•

10 min read

How to Stop Buying Things You Don't Need

and find a little more joy in the process

Jess Kirby
Jess Kirby
Why I Walked Away

Jul 29, 2025

•

2 min read

Why I Walked Away

An honest conversation...listen now

Jess Kirby
Jess Kirby
Avoiding the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale
LockSimple

Jul 16, 2025

•

9 min read

Avoiding the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale

...and getting great deals on fall fashion

Jess Kirby
Jess Kirby
Read This Before You Shop Amazon Prime Day

Jul 8, 2025

•

8 min read

Read This Before You Shop Amazon Prime Day

The only one benefitting from Prime Day is Amazon (and affiliate marketers)

Jess Kirby
Jess Kirby
"I Love Stuff"

May 28, 2025

•

3 min read

"I Love Stuff"

It makes total sense.

Jess Kirby
Jess Kirby
Kids, social media, and the age of consent`

Mar 18, 2025

•

9 min read

Kids, social media, and the age of consent`

When an entire generation is extremely online, what happens if they change their mind?

Jess Kirby
Jess Kirby
A List Of Things I No Longer Do As An Ex-Influencer
LockSimple

Oct 17, 2024

•

4 min read

A List Of Things I No Longer Do As An Ex-Influencer

Invoking cringe.

Jess Kirby
Jess Kirby
Have We Reached Peak Consumerism?

Oct 8, 2024

•

8 min read

Have We Reached Peak Consumerism?

Ahead of another Prime Day, some thoughts on why we keep buying more stuff

Jess Kirby
Jess Kirby
"Fashion Stole My Smile"

Sep 9, 2024

•

11 min read

"Fashion Stole My Smile"

How I got it back, plus five writers share their "buy less" approach to fall

Jess Kirby
Jess Kirby
Let's be real for a sec

Aug 11, 2024

•

7 min read

Let's be real for a sec

A little chat about influencing, community, and who deserves to get paid

Jess Kirby
Jess Kirby
The Beauty Secret That Changed My Life

Jul 31, 2024

•

6 min read

The Beauty Secret That Changed My Life

It's probably not what you think...

Jess Kirby
Jess Kirby

A Common Thread

The newsletter by ex-influencer Jess Kirby, writing about consumerism, capitalism, motherhood, and reclaiming our time and attention for a more meaningful and intentional life.

© 2026 A Common Thread.
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