Why is Instagram the best? Let me tell you why.

Okay, I know there are a lot of competitors these days, whether it’s Snapchat, Facebook, Twitter or the like, people have a favorite and usually stick to it. Every social media site has their own set of perks -- however, others are more or less similar in many ways. MySpace was a thing circa 2008. Facebook is still a relevant (somewhat) social media platform, but that’s more for our parents to brag about us. Twitter is usually people ranting about useless stuff and where drama filled fights occur. Snapchat is all about the filters to look like a pup or have a flower crown at Coachella. And don’t forget about the infamous snap streaks…what’s your longest snap streak on record?

Anyway, why do you ask that Instagram is my favorite? Well, I love taking photos. Whether it’s of my food (yes, guilty as charged), the beach, flowers, events I attend or selfies, it’s a fun way to preserve memories. I must admit I am a selfie addict. No, I am not self-absorbed, but there is something cool about documenting your life through a series of squares (your Instagram profile). The whole new aspect of Instagram stories is rather odd. To me it seems like a Snapchat rip off. Plus, everyone I follow seems to just be posting their Snapchat on their Instagram story. Makes a lot of sense, right? No. Didn’t think so.

I also had a mini meltdown when Instagram updated their logo. While the new color scheme is pretty, why did they change the iconic camera logo? It has grown on me, but at first I had trouble locating it in my boatload of apps on my home screen. Did they ever hear, leave well enough alone?

Even more important, do people actually have Instagram themes? I mean, I do like to do different types of pictures here and there, but I don’t think I could ever successfully keep up with a specific color scheme. I have one friend who has a white/gray theme and another with a blue one. When they want to switch it up they delete a bunch of old pics like those memories never existed…why? Maybe it’s me, but the aesthetic of having a color theme is not worth deleting a bunch of pictures for. Plus, I’ve never seen an apple that has a blue cast. And if it does, I certainly don’t want to eat a blue gray apple, unless I live in some other universe, which I don’t. So I think I’ll stick to red and green for now.

Alas, the other thing one needs to remember when using social media -- it’s all a front. People use editing software to make their skin clearer, hair lighter, body thinner, butt bigger and the like. I definitely know a handful of people who do so much editing in their online photos that when I see them in person I can barely recognize them -- please don’t tell me it was just “good lighting." Honey, you look like a different person. Another thing -- People will often post pictures about their amazing relationship and everyone will comment, “goals” with a bunch of emojis, yet no one knows the ugly truth behind closed doors. You may have arguments over not spending enough time together or that your significant other has an ugly temper. No one spills all to everyone, especially not on the internet. Plus, people aren’t going to show you pictures of them when they’re feeling down. They won’t say that they’re felling lonely, sad, ugly, or fat. They will always want to put their best out there. Everyone does, and that is what makes social media so scary. You have to remember with Instagram or any other app, everyone is human and has real emotions, real problems and real feelings. Don’t let the filters, emojis and comments fool you. No one is perfect and that’s more than okay.