Like To Minute Ratio
If you're on Instagram, chances are you already know exactly what I'm talking about. The moment when you realize that ten minutes have gone by, and you still haven't reached that coveted eleven like mark where all of the usernames turn to a clean double digit number ... I struggle with the like to minute ratio like no other.
I posted this photo on Instagram this morning, and it took fourteen whole minutes to reach that eleven like mark. That's less than one like per minute! Even as I'm writing this out right now I'm realizing how absolutely ridiculous these thoughts are that fill my head. It's toxic, really. Who cares how many likes a photo gets? Shouldn't social media be a form of self expression? Something that we do for fun?
All too often I'll post a photo on Instagram, and if I don't hit that eleven like mark within the first five minutes I'll start doubting how much I actually like the photo ... I let other people's opinions cloud my mind so much when it comes to this that half the time I decide I don't like it anymore, and the photo gets deleted. Do you know how crazy that is?
If you struggle with this whole like to minute ratio thing too, let me fill you in on a little secret. IT DOESN'T MATTER. I took a chance this morning and made the decision that the image I posted of my lettering meant something to me. I was posting it to share a part of my story with those who care to listen. That's what social media should be. Not a race to see how many people accept your work, your photo ... Your self worth should not be placed in the hands of strangers on the internet.
So ... If you're like me and do this same thing, I have a challenge for you. The next time you notice you're not getting as many likes right off the bat as you usually do, leave the photo alone. Flip your phone upside down, and accept that YOU like the image and story you're putting out there for everyone to see. These days social media is taken so darn seriously, and I don't know about you, but I'm ready to take the fun back. Care a little less, share a little more and heck, I might even turn the notifications off on my phone so I don't see the amount of likes that are popping up. Who's with me?
