As a parent, I can attest that certain moments can be quite challenging. It’s disheartening when I invest time creating a delicious meal, only for my children to turn up their noses at it. It’s frustrating when I meticulously clean the kitchen floor, only for someone to spill juice right after. It can be infuriating when I’m almost done folding laundry, and chaos erupts in the bathroom because I was too focused on their clothes to notice what they were up to.
Then, there are those moments when I’m just trying to manage my own well-being while little voices are clamoring for my attention outside the bathroom door, or when I have to tactfully arrange my clothes to hide my postpartum body. Yet, every so often, I get the chance to escape for a night out – away from home, sans children, and with music blasting – and it’s a refreshing change. I return to my usual life feeling rejuvenated (albeit a little worse for wear). But the worst part? Waking up the next morning to find a less-than-flattering photo of myself shared on social media, taken at the most unfortunate moment.
I assure you, I do not resemble Jabba the Hutt in real life. I confirmed this multiple times in front of the mirror after I hastily untagged myself from that image, which was clearly just a bad angle.
Ladies, let’s establish some guidelines for sharing photos of one another on social media. After all the effort we put into looking our best before stepping out, it is unacceptable to have unflattering representations of us floating around online. Here is my informal guide for sharing photos of friends:
Rule No. 1
Refrain from sharing unflattering images of your friends. If you look great in a photo but your friend does not, use the crop tool.
Rule No. 2
Posting unappealing photos of others will bring negative photo energy your way. You might find yourself with awkward poses and unflattering expressions in every future image.
Rule No. 3
Adhere to the girl code. If my shirt is askew or my pants are unzipped, please let me know! We can easily retake the photo.
Rule No. 4
Everyone in the photo should look at least presentable. Avoid sharing drunken moments unless all parties consent. If you capture a fantastic shot of me while I’m singing karaoke, send it my way first so I can decide if it’s share-worthy.
Rule No. 5
If there’s any doubt about whether a photo should be posted, then simply don’t share it.
Rule No. 6
If any undergarments are visible, it’s an immediate no-go. This includes anything from Spanx to the tops of thongs—we don’t want those kinds of surprises in group photos.
Rule No. 7
If you look incredible while your friend doesn’t, and you post that image just to showcase yourself, consider that a serious breach of friendship.
Now, go ahead and take some group selfies, but keep these rules in mind.
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In summary, sharing photos on social media should be approached with care and consideration for everyone involved. Let’s aim to uplift each other and present our best selves in the digital world.