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The 4 by 6 Clique

According to Instagram we're all living aesthetically pleasing lives, we're all in the clique.

Callie Rieder

Oct 22, 2016

New Orleans

Callie Rieder

Pics or it didn't happen.

180 likes.

1500 followers.

Insta worthy.

Image

We're obsessed, I'm obsessed! This reality check isn't pointing fingers, if anything I'm really talking to myself. Because I love Instagram. I love cute pictures, fluffy kittens, pretty smiles, hugging friends, sunshine and rainbows...you know all the quality, aesthetically pleasing times you find on this social media platform.

The thing is as much as I love Instagram...I hate it. People get bullied, upset over their number of likes, obsessed over the "perfect picture" and it becomes all consuming. You sit in class thinking of what you're doing this weekend and the perfect posed picture to post. At breakfast before you take a bite of deliciousness you're first thinking of snapping that picture. And the best is we take plandids. I was introduced to the plandid terminology this summer by a wonderful group of students, its a planned candid. (Don't lie we've all done it *laugh, smile, hair flip, click*) Because we're obsessed, its runs our life whether we want to admit it or not.

Here's the big kicker, it's all a lie. Those pictures all are smokescreens and lights to make this life look pretty, perfect, and in place. Life doesn't look like that. That "relationship goals" couple? They fight at night over communication problems. That ideal clique of friends? They all talk behind each others back. All those makeup flawless selfies? Sometimes cover up all the worries and insecurities.

It's

all

lie.

Were looking for a number of likes over being liked.

We pose for perfect plandids over creating honest moments.

We're trying so hard to capture beauty rather than admire it.

We want attention rather than connection.

What I'm trying to say is don't let Instagram be "goals" in any way in your life. Not relationship goals, not life goals, not workout goals, not food goals. Let it be life sharing and community creating, let it be uplifting. Let it stir something in you to put down the phone and strive for connection rather than attention. Seek for true aesthetic in life. One formal definition for aesthetic is "concerned with beauty".

So, rather than the perfect back drop or filter, whitened teeth and makeup, foamed coffee or cute kittens I want to be concerned with a different type of beauty. The beauty of people. I am concerned with the life I live and if it emulates beauty, beauty that draws attention to a greater purpose and deeper love. I don't want to have an image based off the number of likes, followers, or shares. I want my image to be of the beauty I surround myself with. Something bigger, something deeper, something from within. You can't capture that in a 4 by 6.

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

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The 4 by 6 Clique

According to Instagram we're all living aesthetically pleasing lives, we're all in the clique.

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Do you have a small get-together or throw a big bash?

1. Your family and friends ask what you want for your birthday, so you give them a list of options.

2. You're super excited about your birthday the week before.

3. Your family flies in town to celebrate with you.

4. Your siblings wake you up.

5. Your friends are so excited to be with you on your big day.

6. If you work, your office might throw a party for you.

7. For your actual party, you plan a small get-together with close family and friends ...

8. ... or large celebration with everyone you know.

9. You eat the best meal you've had in weeks.

10. You devour the first piece of cake proudly.

11. You embarrass yourself somehow.

12. You get the present you really wanted but thought no one would get you.

13. You are a little sad about getting older.

14. That feeling wears off and you realize how happy you are to have family and friends to celebrate this day with you.

15. The morning after your birthday looks something like this.

Syllabus week doesn't exist.

All names should be "unisex names."

1. Communicating via email can be awkward.

2. Appointments usually accompany weird looks.

3. Introducing yourself to someone is never without a hitch.

4. You’ve probably thought about changing your name.

5. You’re often asked why you have the name you do.

6. You get excited when you meet someone of your gender with your name.

7. You feel awkward when you meet someone of the opposite gender with your name.

8. You’ve had someone say to you, “I knew a [your name], but they were [your opposite gender].”

9. You’ve heard a bad joke/pick-up line or two about your name before.

10. People are surprised when they see you.

11. You’re extra sensitive to other unique or unisex names.

12. You’ve fought with your parents about it.

13. All things considered, you’re happy your name makes you unique.

You know that all of these things apply to you. You'll just never tell.

I get it... I'm pale.

1. At least I can't lose you in a crowd!

2. Oh my goodness your skin is like glow-in-the-dark.

3. Can't you just get fake tan?

4. Do you tan or just burn?

5. Your kids are going to look like Casper the Friendly Ghost!

6. *holds arm against your arm* Look how much darker I am compared to you!

7. *holds pale arm against another pale arm* Aw, at least you're darker than her!

8. I laid out by the pool almost every day over break!

9. I haven't used sunscreen since I was, like, five.

10. *adjusts selfie lighting to their face* Oops, where'd you go??

11. *after working out* Your face is SO red!

12. *wears white* Look! You're all one color!

13. You need to get some sun.

14. Aren't you excited for summer?

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6. holds arm against your arm Look how much darker I am compared to you!

7. holds pale arm against another pale arm Aw, at least you're darker than her!

10. adjusts selfie lighting to their face Oops, where'd you go??

11. after working out Your face is SO red!

12. wears white Look! You're all one color!