No one’s life is private anymore in this age of social media. Snapchat stories, Instagram pages, and Facebook profiles are constantly being updated. It’s easy to get lost in the endless feed of aesthetically similar posts, silently hoping that your feed looks “just as cool” as the others. Most girls probably agree that Instagram can be stressful at times. Here are some tips to help keep Instagram fun and stress-free.
- Post Content for You, Not for Other People
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Your Instagram page is yours, and therefore it should reflect you and the person you are – your interests, hobbies, family, friends, etc. Don’t shape your posts around things you think people want to see. Post however often YOU’D like, with whoever YOU want. I’ve seen it before where girls get dressed up and go out somewhere only to take cute pictures for Instagram. Pictures are great to share with others and have for memories, but don’t stress if you’re out having fun with your friends and you didn’t have time to pose for pics. Ultimately, no one’s going to remember the cool pictures you posted; they’re going to remember the person you are, and you’re going to remember all the fun you had!
- Don’t Worry About Likes and Comments
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Before posting a picture, a thought that used to run through my head (and sometimes still does) is: Will this picture get a lot of likes? With each post you can’t help but hope that this is the one will set your new personal record for most-liked. It’s important to try to not let the amount of likes you’re getting affect your confidence or your love for a specific picture. Same goes for comments – some posts will get more comments than others and that’s ok! It doesn’t make one picture better than the other. It’s especially important to remember that likes on Instagram do not serve as a status symbol or popularity contest.
- Use the Explore Page
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My favorite feature of Instagram is probably the Explore Page, which is a compilation of posts based on what you like, view and follow. Everyday my friends and I DM each other funny and relatable pictures and videos. You can find some of the funniest content here, but be warned – it’s extremely easy to lose precious study hours scrolling through!
- Customize Your Biography
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While your posts may be the focal point of your Instagram page, your biography also reveals a lot about who you are. A popular bio template consists of a name, hometown and school, but if you want to make it a little more unique you could include emojis or a funny quote, which definitely adds more personality. Bios set the tone for the content you’re about to see, so make it personal to you, and have fun with it.
- Follow Pages of Your Interest
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Other than following hundreds to thousands of people you know (or don’t know) from school or work, it’s fun to follow and keep up with your favorite celebrities, local businesses, school organizations (like @hercampussiena!) and maybe a really cute dog or two. Instagram is a great means of obtaining all kinds of information, from a club meeting schedule change to crazy celeb gossip. Seeing the things that you’re specifically interested in pop up in your feed can also be refreshing and a mood booster.
- Don’t Let the FOMO Get You Down.
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FOMO is a common feeling that I’m sure everyone has experienced. It’s hard to see pictures of your friends hanging out together or partying it up at an event you weren’t at on Instagram. Don’t worry, because we’ve definitely ALL been there! When these moments happen, think back on the really fun times you’ve had with them and all the fun memories you’ll make in the future. A helpful suggestion might be to reach out to them and plan an event for the near future. It’s always fun to have something to look forward to.
A final note on this topic is to make sure you’re responsible with what you’re posting – nothing is ever truly private! Instagram is a fun platform you can utilize to highlight yourself in a positive way. Before you post, think about if you’d want your grandma or future boss to see that picture!
Have fun and get to posting