Perhaps this may be a link to my insecurity - this nagging feeling I may not be pretty enough, memorable enough, make-this-person-happy enough, or simply be enough to put on display, a frozen joyous time in their life.
Studies have shown a link to our silly social media posts and our happiness/feeling worthwhile. Although there is much argument and evidence to show our virtual selves are merely a "better image" of our physical reality, happy photos suggest we are content enough with certain aspects {people, events, etc} in our lives, enough to put them out for the world to see.
Yes, we may be looking for a bit of social validation, but to some extent, it may be social validation for our inner egos to feel we're important enough in someone's social realm to be posted on their profile.
It seems quite superficial, but in a generation growing up in a virtual world, this online presence is morphing into a part of our very being. Social media is wondrous and a new avenue for marketing, blah blah blah. But it's becoming more ingrained that it is an extension to our self-worth.
When it comes to relationships, platonic or romantic, I think it's just a part of the relationship - enjoy one another's company and post a picture to share the happiness.
You know what's weird? Couples who never take pictures together, yet both have countless photos with beloved friends and nameless lovely people. Maybe that's me...
Agree or disagree, I'm sure I'm not alone in feeling a little rush when someone includes me on a post or posts a picture of me with them to commemorate a particular night - it's a feel-good feeling and there's nothing wrong with it, as long as we don't become too overly caught up in this.
Enjoy the moment, but take your damn pictures, too, in order to remember those happy times when you're 86 and terrorizing the nursing home, confined to your room for flashing the cute food services guy as I likely will be.
And that's a wrap.
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