If I Didn't Post it, It Didn't Happen

by Julia Brummel

POIDH: Pics Or It Didn’t Happen

An acronym coined when social media was first created that still holds its meaning to this day.

At first, this phrase was used to refer to crazy or unbelievable things that needed visual documentation in order to be believed. As social media has developed, it has taken on a new meaning and is now applied to the more simple things.

Every once in a while I may find myself drinking Starbucks outside, reading a book, wearing some cute sunglasses, and thinking to myself: I need to document this on social media. This would make a great Instagram post. Everyone needs to know how I’m reading this book, how good my drink looks, and how the lighting in my backyard is perfect. And then when I try to take a picture and it doesn’t look the exact way I want it to, I get irritated or stressed out. Thoughts like “If I don’t post this, no one will know I have great taste in books,” or “If I don’t post this, no one will know how good my Starbucks order is,” or “If I don’t post this, who’s going to see my awesome outfit,” run through my head. 

Why can’t I just enjoy a peaceful moment alone, reading a book outside in the sun? Why is my brain conditioned to turn every nice moment into a social media opportunity? I’m sure many of us are guilty of the very same thing– at least, I hope it's not just me. This doesn’t just have to apply to documenting “cool” things you are already doing and then whipping your camera out after the fact. Maybe it means going to a party for 5 minutes with the intent of just taking a few pictures, and then leaving so that people will think you are a person who goes out and parties, when in reality you are a person who prefers to stay in. 

Our generation has grown up with Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, Twitter, and more. Constantly comparing ourselves to posts we see online, whether it be other people's cute outfits, expensive vacations, or delicious meals. Social media is a huge, unavoidable part of life. Sometimes it can be a wholesome thing, showcasing pictures of cute puppies or videos of best friends reuniting with each other. It can also be an anxiety-inducing environment, from promoting unrealistic beauty standards to inducing severe FOMO.  

I’ve been trying to teach myself that there are so many more important things to worry about than curating a perfect Instagram post. This is a hard lesson to learn as a person who has grown up with social media, as I’m sure many people can relate to. 

In an effort to make social media more personal and less stressful for myself, I decided to hide comments and likes on everything I post. For me, this turns my Instagram account into more of a collage, a representation of who I am and the things I find beautiful that have nothing to do with seeming cool to anyone else except for myself. 

Documenting your life on social media, whatever form that may be, can often be an enjoyable, uncomplicated thing. But it can also quickly turn into a stressor. I am hopeful that one day social media can become more authentic, more positive, and more simplistic. It’s becoming increasingly important to remember that just because you didn’t post an Instagram story doesn’t mean you didn’t have a beautiful day at the beach. Just because you didn’t make a TikTok of your outfit doesn’t mean you never wore it or that it went unappreciated.

I think we are on the right track, one that will lead us to a world where posting is not a priority, but instead more of an afterthought, because I think that’s a healthier way to live.

Edited by Lauren Deaton and Elisabeth Kay