Have you ever stopped to wonder why modern romance feels like a never-ending episode of a reality show? It’s not just about consumerism and commodification—though those certainly play their part. The real issue lies in the way social media and the internet have twisted our perceptions of what love and relationships should be. We’re so wrapped up in FOMO (fear of missing out) and distorted reality that we’ve lost sight of genuine connection. If it’s not Instagrammable, is it even real? And don’t get me started on how this affects grief and love. 

The Pressure to Post and Its Impact on Quality

Let’s talk about it. We live in a world where our most intimate feelings and experiences are displayed for likes and comments online. This pressure to curate our lives for social media is making the true meaning of ‘quality’ slowly fade away. It’s like, if you can’t post it, it doesn’t count. But here’s the real question: when did we start equating our worth and the worth of our relationships with how photogenic they are?

Take romance, for instance. When you’re in love, finding the right person should be enough, right? But no, not in today’s world. We’re not satisfied until someone asks us out with a fancy chocolate inscription stating, “Will you be my girlfriend?” The real victory is finding someone who makes your heart race and gives you butterflies, not just ticking boxes online.

This raises a crucial question: do you truly want what you desire, or are you just following social media trends? Is your wish for a picture-perfect relationship driven by real desire or influenced by everyone flaunting their ‘ideal’ lives online?

Living by Public Standards and Superficial Trends

And let’s not ignore how these unrealistic expectations shape our lives. Nowadays, everything seems to need to meet public standards or trends, from relationships and achievements to daily activities. The pressure to conform to these often superficial benchmarks, set by social media and societal norms, distorts our sense of what’s truly valuable. It’s as if we’re constantly chasing after validation rather than finding genuine fulfillment. We get caught up in meeting expectations that don’t align with our values instead of focusing on what truly matters to us.

Now, let’s get real about relationships. It’s high time we stopped chasing after partners who are more interested in performing for social media than in actually building a meaningful connection (or being one). You need someone who values genuine experiences and emotional depth over mere appearances and online trends. The best relationships thrive on mutual respect, understanding, and genuine love—none of which can be captured in a filtered photo or TikTok.

@picnicperfecthtx

Never settle 🤍 #girlfriendproposal

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Reclaiming Real Love from Social Media Standards

So here’s a thought: instead of letting social media dictate what you want, why not focus on what really matters? Seek out relationships and experiences that resonate with you on a deep level, not just those that look good on a screen. Love your partner in a way that’s true to both of you, not according to some algorithm or trend. And run, don’t walk, from anyone who’s more interested in chasing likes than in nurturing a real, authentic connection.

Ultimately, it’s not about a relationship that looks good on social media but one that feels good in your heart. Let’s start living and loving for ourselves, not for the likes.