When you log onto Instagram, you often aren't shown the realities of life.
Most likely, you aren't shown the original version of any photograph. Each picture undergoes at least a few minutes worth of editing before being approved for posting by users. People ask their friends for approval, for suggested captions, to choose between two or more photos.
There is so much deliberation that goes into posting on Instagram, which is something I don't and have never agreed with. If you were to take one look at my Instagram, you'd see that none of my photos match; there isn't any cohesive theme or feed or anything aesthetically pleasing, really.
I'm all for using your Instagram as art, to display your favorite photos and just share your life with friends and family.
What I have an issue with is the idea that your Instagram defines you, that you have to look a certain way. We all put way too much pressure on ourselves to pose for photos, to look thin or muscular. I've fallen victim to this way too many times. I see my lovely friends with incredible Instagram feeds, gorgeous pictures in exotic places, and sometimes, I even feel as though my life just isn't as fabulous as theirs. This plays into my habit of comparing myself to others, which I'm working on changing.
In doing so, I am making it my mission to forget all of those negative thoughts I associate with Instagram. I post what I want, when I want to, regardless of how it fits with my other photos. My captions aren't clever or funny, they're just thoughts that I associate with the photo or whatever is going on in my life at any given time. My Instagram represents me in my most authentic form.
I post photos when I'm happy, when I feel confident, when I'm feeling appreciative of my friends or my family. I post when I feel loved or excited or accomplished. No, I don't get 400 likes on all of my pictures. No, I don't have thousands of followers. But what I do have is a great group of supportive friends. I have followers who read what I'm up to, who support the things I'm passionate about.
To me, there isn't anything more priceless than sharing what you love, however you may interpret that. Post what you want, whenever you want, and do it because you love it, not because you feel like you have to. Instagram is meant to be fun, not a chore. Love your photos, love your feed and most importantly, love yourself.
