10 Instagram-Perfect Things You Shouldn’t Feel Pressured to Own
For those who grew up before social media, trends were noticed and followed in-person. We saw a classmate wearing a pair of cute boots, or a certain type of jeans, and suddenly it felt like everyone was wearing those clothes. We couldn’t help ourselves from wanting those items too — it’s only human to want to be like other people, to want to fit in.
Today, we notice trends differently — and sometimes it’s much more subtle than we think. Social media – particularly Instagram — plays a huge role in how we view fashion, décor, and accessories. We’d all probably be lying if we said we never contemplated purchasing something with the intention of posting it on Instagram later.
Of course, the desire to create a pleasing Instagram aesthetic is totally normal. But a good Insta-hack to know is that you don’t have to go out and actually spend money in order to achieve those double-taps. There are plenty of apps out there that will make your photos look ~fancy~ regardless of the content. With that, here are ten items that you don’t need to own just because everyone else on Instagram seems to.
1. Matching coffee mugs.
It’s cool if your coffee mugs don’t match, or if they have chips on them, and they certainly don’t need to look like the ones on the shelves of Anthropologie. If you don’t have endless cash to spend on coffee mugs, that’s understandable, and nothing to feel weird about.
2. A juicer.
Here’s a secret: most of the people who are posting photos of their green juice are buying them from a store or bodega. You definitely don’t need one of those Vitamixes or fancy juicers to make kale juice every day if you don’t want to.
3. An endless supply of cute fall and winter clothes.
Considering that so many clothes can be layered and paired with other things, you definitely don’t need an entire wardrobe filled with infinity scarves and boot socks. (Even though they do look pretty adorable in a Juno filter.)
4. A pet.
Pets are pretty cute, often therapeutic, and they get a lot of attention, but they’re also hard work and expensive AF. Getting a pet is definitely a big decision, and not one to make lightly just because you found out about munchkin cats, and now need one.
5. Tons of high-end makeup.
We get it; selfies look pretty good after you’ve applied a solid layer of Glow by Anastasia
6. Expensive office supplies.
It’s easy to be tempted by the adorable binders, notebooks, and stationary at stores like Paper Source, but that stuff adds up quickly. And, let’s be honest, at the end of the day, all notebooks are the same. They are paper. The cute ones are just nicer to look at.
7. A collection of Apple products
Obviously we live in a digital age, and there’s no fighting the fact that it’s hard to live life without a cell phone or laptop. But Apple itself has a way of making us feel like we’re missing out when we don’t have the latest iteration in a series, and it can easily seem like every Instagrammer has at least one iPhone, iPad, and MacBook — all in rose gold, of course.
8. Lots. Of. Food.
No judgment, but have you ever ordered something outlandish mostly to snap a picture of it? If you’ve ever caught yourself thinking, “Yeah that ice cream cone would make a good Instagram post,” you’re not alone. But ultimately we should make food choices based on what we actually want.
9. A steady stream of gel manicures.
Which of the following seems more likely: Your favorite Instagrammers ALWAYS have perfectly manicured hands, OR they only post photos of their hands when their nails are freshly painted? It’s probably the latter, but it sure can seem like everyone’s nails are painted except for yours, right? Don’t feel pressured to visit the salon every two weeks — give your nails (and your wallet) a break.
10. Useless decorative items just because they’re cute.
It can be tempting to purchase that little sign with the perfectly ‘grammable quote, or that tiny cat statuette. And if you really want it, by all means, get it. But if you’re listening to that soft voice that’s urging you, “Run that through VSCO…then ‘gram it,” maybe you’re making this purchase for the wrong reason.
De is a New Yorker turned Bostonian and lover of all things theatrical. She’ll never turn down a cup of gingerbread coffee, and she’s the owner of the fluffiest cat imaginable. De is on Twitter and Instagram.
Image via Unsplash
