We’ve all done it. For some it’s one of the most devastating fails of Instagram: the unintentional double tap.
Whether it’s your parents’ version of zooming in on Instagram photos, your attempt to watch an insta-video or your own carelessness, this dreaded deed is bound to happen to you at least one time in your social media life.
Twelve hours, three days, one week ago. Not the end of the world, but 90-plus weeks ago? Now you have a problem.
This has happened one too many times to my friends, and I’m sure you’ve received the text at least once:
“OMG I just accidently liked his picture from (x amount of) weeks ago. I’m so creepy.”
The tiny red heart to the left of the picture lights up and it’s game over. You might’ve well just texted them “Hey, I’m stalking you on social media.”
There’s always the option to quickly unlike the picture, but unfortunately for you, they’ll still get the notification.
Now what do you do?
You can convince yourself, “Well, he’s a guy and in true form guys never check their notifications right?” Wrong.
Nobody likes to admit it, but Instagram was created for this very reason. We’d be lying to ourselves if we didn’t say a crucial part of the Instagram culture is stalking.
Why else would an app be created to post photos of your daily activities from a night out to what you’re eating for lunch?
You can go without checking Instagram for a few hours and automatically be dozens of posts behind.
It’s both widely known and accepted that sometimes Instagram stalking is more entertaining than actually seeing these very people out.
We’ve all been there. And by there I mean the endless black hole of an Instagram account.
One second you’re scrolling through your feed of friends’ photos and then an hour later you find yourself one hundred posts deep into a wedding hashtag for a random couple in a different state.
So when you think of Instagram on these terms, accidentally liking someone’s picture from ninety weeks ago isn’t that big of deal. That’s what we’re supposed to be doing right?
For those of you who still don’t believe there is any positive in this situation, here’s what I’ve got for you.
Master the art of light scrolling. It means just what it says. With your thumb at a safe distance from the "Like" button and the lack of pressure to accidentally prompt a double tap, you’re in the clear.
If this still isn’t enough reassurance, take it to the Internet. You know that saying, “It could be worse?” Well, a quick Google search will verify this. If you have an hour or twelve you’ll find yourself highly entertained at the discussions out there because of this socially awkward moment.
However, in my opinion, this moment of sheer embarrassment can be used to your advantage. You’re not only in this person’s notifications, but now you’ve gotten yourself noticed. “Who is @___ liking my Instagram from 90 weeks ago?” Sure you’re creepy, but you’re there and maybe they’ll even return the like.
So what’s my advice? Like another, maybe three!
