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Instagram Vs. Reality

“Being famous on Instagram is like being rich in Monopoly. It’s not real, so calm down.”

Samantha Rogers

Oct 19, 2015

Western Washington University

75

Instagram Vs. Reality

Vox Magazine

As a society, we have turned to doing things like hiking, yoga, brunching, etc. just to post them on Instagram.

We care more about how many likes we get than having fun in that actual moment when we take the picture.

Like most social media, Instagram is about presenting the best version of yourself. It’s all about portraying that you are having 10 times the amount of fun that you are actually having.

No one is as cool, as pretty, as fashionable, as fit, as anything as the photos they are posting make them out to be. Trust me.

When people post that “perfect” photo of their lives, here is what they are probably actually doing.

The gym shot #fitspo

What it looks like I’m doing:

I just spend the whole day in the library studying and being productive with my life, and now I’m going to go to the gym for the next three hours because #fitspo. Also, I just bought all of this cute workout gear because it makes me workout better.

What I’m actually doing:

My face isn’t in the photo because I’m sweating from walking to the gym from my apartment. Also, I’m not flexible enough for this pose and my legs are cramping. I’m pretending like I’m trying to choose the perfect workout music so everyone doesn’t hardcore judge me for doing this at the gym.

The selfie

What it looks like I’m doing:

I’m casually sitting outside with a blow out and a full face of makeup. I AM SO HAPPY AND IN LOVE WITH LIFE BECAUSE EVERYTHING IS PERFECT. I took this photo and it happened to turn out like this the first time. Also the lighting is completely natural. I’m just that pretty. Lighting. On. Point.

What I’m actually doing:

If you look at my camera roll, you’ll see approximately 43 photos of this exact pose in different angles. It also took me 35 minutes to put this photo through four different filters so I looked natural. I’m going to caption this #nomakeupselfie and hope no one notices that I have five pounds of makeup on my face.

The brunch shot

What it looks like I’m doing:

No matter how much vodka my friends and I drink the night before, we always make sure to go out for brunch. And just to answer your question, because I know you’re all thinking it: yes, I maintain my perfect body by eating French toast and potatoes while drinking nonfat skinny vanilla lattes.

What I’m actually doing:

This was from over the summer when I went out to brunch with my family. I’m sitting in bed hungover and reliving vicariously through this photo, because currently if I eat anything, I will vomit.

The adventure shot

What it looks like I’m doing:

After our incredible brunch, I decided to go on a hike. Look how adventurous I am, and I think my butt looks incredible in these yoga pants. I’m also wearing a Mariner’s hat because I’m so into baseball.

What I’m actually doing:

I think this will fill my hike quota for the year. Praying that you can’t see the sweat stains on the back of my shirt, and I had to edit out the sunburn on my shoulders because I thought I would get my tan on during the hike, but instead I look like a lobster now. Awesome.

The squad shot

What it looks like I’m doing:

Look how hot my best friends and I are. We are casually alternating blonde, brunette, blonde, brunette without even trying. All of the frat guys love us and WE ARE HAVING THE BEST TIME EVER #MYSQUAD

What I’m actually doing:

We will probably all hate each other at some point this year. But right now we look good, so it doesn’t matter. This is like the 10th photo we took, and everyone is annoyed at us because we have the flash on, but as long as the photo looks good, it doesn’t matter. Right?

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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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