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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask what you would think of a colleague posting on social media?

159 replies

passwordchanges · 06/05/2026 12:18

I have lost quite a lot of weight and started running. I initially started posting about running about a month ago on social media as a way to keep me accountable, but it’s sort of taken off and I’ve gained 1200 followers in a month. I’m really enjoying posting and sharing, and I’ve got quite a little community going with other women.

But I’m a little bit worried about my colleagues finding out. Not because I’m embarrassed of what I’ve posted (it’s mainly just photos or short videos), but because I feel like it’s quite cringeworthy until you hit a decent amount of followers. So what would you think if you found out about your colleague doing this?

YABU - shut it down, you’re an adult and don’t need to post.

YANBU - keep posting, it’s great.

OP posts:
Horselover90 · 06/05/2026 12:51

I think as long as you have interactions from people ie comments, and you’re not just talking to yourself then it’s fine.

busyd4y · 06/05/2026 12:50

It's going to depend on your colleagues surely, who knows what they will think but easy enough to block them assuming you don't have 100s of them

What I would think would be dictated by what I thought about the colleague and the content, it certainly wouldnt be one standard view for all of them

tinaabbot · 06/05/2026 12:50

I had an Instagram account like that for running, it was great and I met lots of my followers over the years at races etc. No one at work ever followed me, maybe because I didn’t use my full name. I do get what you mean, my running persona is different to my work one….. my running friends didn’t know what I did for work and my work friends knew I ran a lot, but less of the details that I shared online. It was great for accountability, support, advice etc. (long Covid finished my running career off for years, I actually just started posting a bit about running again recently)

IWaffleAlot · 06/05/2026 12:48

I would think well
done and probably follow you. Don’t worry about what others think

Loub1987 · 06/05/2026 12:48

I wouldn’t really care either way, then I don’t use social media so I wouldn’t know. I suppose if I was told about it, I would be mildly pleased for you.

You should just care less what people think of you. You’ve clearly done great and 1200 are interested in it.

Heyhelga · 06/05/2026 12:47

If it makes you happy do it. Life Is too short to care about what other people think. Sounds like it's been a great motivation for you and you have gained a little community to discuss with.

DeskGnome · 06/05/2026 12:44

BillieWiper · 06/05/2026 12:44

That sounds fair enough. If you don't even mention the online side nobody would know unless they chose to seek you out online. But I can't imagine anyone being so mean spirited as to dislike you or think you unprofessional for doing it. It's not harming anyone!

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That's the thing, it's a healthy hobby that harms absolutely no-one else.

MyMilchick · 06/05/2026 12:44

There's nothing embarrassing about what you're posting, it's promoting exercise and trying to get/stay fit and healthy! Be proud of yourself OP

BillieWiper · 06/05/2026 12:44

passwordchanges · 06/05/2026 12:39

I mean I only really talk about my running when asked, I don’t think I’m an Olympic athlete or anything like that!

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That sounds fair enough. If you don't even mention the online side nobody would know unless they chose to seek you out online. But I can't imagine anyone being so mean spirited as to dislike you or think you unprofessional for doing it. It's not harming anyone!

DeskGnome · 06/05/2026 12:43

LiviaDrusillaAugusta · 06/05/2026 12:34

If I was a colleague and was on your social media already, I would roll my eyes and unfollow. Also might mention to other colleagues.

But you do your thing if it helps - does it matter what people think?

Gosh, why so bitter because someone else is posting about something they enjoy?

Fair enough to unfollow if it's not your thing, but they eye-rolling and talking to other colleagues about it?

It does come across as rather nasty to be fair.

youalright · 06/05/2026 12:42

tiramisugelato · 06/05/2026 12:41

You’re the only one being nasty! What PP said was perfectly fine.

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What rolling your eyes at someone then running to your other colleagues to make fun of them

tiramisugelato · 06/05/2026 12:41

youalright · 06/05/2026 12:36

Because she's a nasty jealous bully who is incapable of being happy for others

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You’re the only one being nasty! What PP said was perfectly fine.

DeskGnome · 06/05/2026 12:40

It's either cringeworthy or it's not.

The amount of followers doesn't change that.

To me, it would be a complete non-event if I found out my colleague was doing this.

To others, it would be cringeworthy but why does that matter to you?

Original poster
passwordchanges · 06/05/2026 12:39

BillieWiper · 06/05/2026 12:38

I would never really know or care. I mean I don't do things like that so I wouldn't really ever come across it. Unless you talked about it.

I guess I'd be pleased for you if it was going well and your running/online popularity was making you happy.

But I wouldn't really want to hear you talking about your online success at work in any depth. I'd say it wouldn't really be of interest to anyone other than your followers.

I mean I only really talk about my running when asked, I don’t think I’m an Olympic athlete or anything like that!

OP posts:
emuloc · 06/05/2026 12:38

I am so glad that I don't get into any of this SM thing, apart from MN, which to be fair is even starting to get on my nerves with the amount of nasty posters.

BillieWiper · 06/05/2026 12:38

I would never really know or care. I mean I don't do things like that so I wouldn't really ever come across it. Unless you talked about it.

I guess I'd be pleased for you if it was going well and your running/online popularity was making you happy.

But I wouldn't really want to hear you talking about your online success at work in any depth. I'd say it wouldn't really be of interest to anyone other than your followers.

LiviaDrusillaAugusta · 06/05/2026 12:37

passwordchanges · 06/05/2026 12:35

I’m curious as to why?

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Because I don’t find that kind of thing interesting tbh. I would mention it in a kind of ‘oh X is into fitness, have a word with her’ way

clearlyy · 06/05/2026 12:37

I reckon they’d be really supportive of you! I just wouldn’t say anything about it and keep doing what you love. It’s only work after all!

Original poster
passwordchanges · 06/05/2026 12:37

tiramisugelato · 06/05/2026 12:36

In the nicest way, why do you think they’re going to care either way?

I don’t really know to be honest 😅 I think I just didn’t expect for anyone to follow me, and I’m still gaining 10-20 followers a day so it’s a bit like “oh, how far could this go”?

OP posts:
youalright · 06/05/2026 12:36

passwordchanges · 06/05/2026 12:35

I’m curious as to why?

Show quote history

Because she's a nasty jealous bully who is incapable of being happy for others

tiramisugelato · 06/05/2026 12:36

In the nicest way, why do you think they’re going to care either way?

Original poster
passwordchanges · 06/05/2026 12:35

LiviaDrusillaAugusta · 06/05/2026 12:34

If I was a colleague and was on your social media already, I would roll my eyes and unfollow. Also might mention to other colleagues.

But you do your thing if it helps - does it matter what people think?

I’m curious as to why?

OP posts:
youalright · 06/05/2026 12:35

LiviaDrusillaAugusta · 06/05/2026 12:34

If I was a colleague and was on your social media already, I would roll my eyes and unfollow. Also might mention to other colleagues.

But you do your thing if it helps - does it matter what people think?

Why? How nasty

gggrrrargh · 06/05/2026 12:35

Not cringeworthy at all, not to do with the company, if I saw as your colleague I’d think - go you!

SpiceGirlsNeedAComeBack · 06/05/2026 12:34

Why does their opinion matter? does it effect your life in anyway?

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