Make Instagram More Casual Again: A Rant, by Me.

I came across a quote earlier that got me thinking. Thinking deeply enough to be writing this at 2am. The quote said: “how your life feels is more important than how it looks.”

It really speaks for itself, but I started to think about how social media has made us all believe we have to look and be a certain way. Instagram used to be so casual, and over the years has become a platform where many only try to show the most “perfect” version of themselves. We went from posting pictures of random things like weeds in our lawn (I literally did that once) to posting these fancy ass pics and stuff like everyone thinks they’re some billionaire model or something these days.

Maybe it’s because the app changed over the years with stories, ads, etc. or because we see all the expensive and fancy things celebrities and influencers post. I’m not really sure what changed it, but I do miss the days where people would just post whatever the hell they took a picture of that day, idk. Everyone’s feed seems the same lately, pictures of themselves, with friends, on nice vacations, all the “fancy and fun” things in life. And hey those things are great if that’s what truly makes you happy, but do you really feel fulfilled or is it just for the image...you know “for the gram” or whatever.

I promise nobody’s life is as “perfect” as their social media page. Take everything you see with a grain of salt and don’t let anybody fool you into believing that you have to portray yourself in a certain way online to “be cool.”

I really shouldn’t be one to judge, do what you want, post what you want - I’m sure I’ll be posting bikini pictures or my fancy dinners on Instagram in the future too. All I’m asking is that we all take a breather, come back down to Earth for a sec. Why do we feel such pressure to look some type of way or make things so formal online these days? Again, I get it, we all want to look good and showcase the best version of ourselves, but who is everyone else to say what your best version of yourself is? Are you being your genuine self online or are you just posting things to fit in with what’s tending or to show off and look cool?

Sometimes I do wonder what happened to originality and creativity. It’s sad because so many of us have some really cool talents, interests, and stuff we’d like to share, but won’t, because it won’t fit into today’s “norm” online or it would screw up your precious feed. Again, I thought, why do we do this? Why do we hold back what makes us unique? Is it because you don’t want your friends to judge you for posting something considered “weird” on Instagram? Or because you won’t get as many likes or followers? Or because the person you like won’t like it because it’s not a picture of yourself, but something really interesting instead? Literally who gives a fuck. All of those metrics are so trivial and really have people looking for validation in all the wrong places.

Do and post what makes you genuinely happy. If you want to post a bikini pic from the beach, do it. A beautiful sunset, go for it. A picture of a fuckin sock on your floor, by all means if it makes you happy post that shit. Let’s build each other up, appreciate each other’s individuality, and hey maybe toss the next “different” post you see a like or a comment here and there because I’m sure that person is worried people are judging them for doing so. Ugh, I miss the days where people posted the most random of things on Instagram. It was so simple, so casual.

From now on I’ll just be following one simple rule online - if I want to share something that makes me happy, I’m doing it. I don’t care if it “messes up my feed” or if I don’t get as many likes or if someone unfollows me. Let’s not only make Instagram a little more casual again, but life too. Say hi to strangers, smile at puppies, order a burger instead of a salad, wave to your neighbor, idk. Know who you genuinely are, don’t forget where you came from, and just do what makes you happy. You have my full support.

Hopefully this post provoked some type of thoughts or inspired you to do whatever the hell you want now or something. If you think I’m being too judgmental, that’s fine I don’t care, this is just a rant I wanted to put in writing anyway ¯\_(ツ)_/¯