A lot of work goes into each and every Instagram post. While some people are probably more methodical about the details, the decisions/minor stress that goes into posting a picture on Instagram exists for everyone.
Before/after posting anything, it is inevitable that you will experience some, if not all, of this basic progression.
Burning Questions (before):
Which picture? There’s always more than one option you’re working with. Most of the time it’s basically the same picture with a slight difference (i.e. angle, facial expression). But, you still have to switch back and forth until you decide that one minuet difference makes you like one a lot better than the other.
Wait, should I put it in my group chat? Yes. Double check. Even though you and maybe one other have decided which option is best, you need more opinions before officially deciding. And there’s always that one friend to thank for going against the grain and picking the one everyone else isn’t picking.
Which effect? With the plethora of editing features Instagram now has to offer, there’s no such thing as just a filter anymore. You could sadly fiddle with the brightness, contrast, highlights, shadows, etc. for hours. While examining all the filter/edits, you probably want to change the picture/yourself by the time it’s done. Its summer so you should probably look tanner and all but don’t worry there are enough editing features at the moment to basically change your race.
Caption. Is this funny or stupid? Which emoji? Should I just put an emoji or do I need caption too? Decisions. Decisions.
Is geotagging too much? Maybe, probably. But, a location needs to reinforce your activities. And it’s always nice that people know exactly where you are at all hours of the day.
Will I get likes? There’s always the doubt in your mind that you won’t get any likes. Maybe it’s a bad time of day and I shouldn’t do it now. Should I wait until later? Ok, no I’m clicking post already.
Aftermath:
Like-to-minute ratio. You can always count on that sheer panic when it’s been up for 5 minutes and you have none or just a few likes. Refresh. Refresh. Refresh.
I’m deleting it. Not enough social media attention? This is when you quickly delete it (or debate deleting it) and hope no one saw it.
Why hasn’t everyone single one of my friends liked it already? So by now your picture has been posted for about 20-30 minutes and you’re angrily wondering why every single person you’re friends with/you’ve ever spoken to hasn’t liked it already. It’s annoying. They should be ahead of the game.
Before you know it, it’s been two hours (maybe) and you’ve already forgotten about what you posted. But, don’t worry the cycle will repeat itself all over again soon.
