The mandatory Instagram dump post after a breakup

I have a problem with social networks. In the sense that I was addicted to social media even before it was recognized as a real problem, one that requires therapy and perhaps even a detox. Social media negatively impacts us and our ability to think clearly. I've always used social media (first Facebook, then Twitter, briefly TikTok) to share my feelings, songs, novels, or quotes I like, to let the world know how I feel, and to complain about people in my life. And here's the catch. This unpleasant habit has sparked quite a few arguments over the years. How do I manage my need to overshare? How does it fit into my romantic relationships?

Social networks and love: share everything or keep it private?

There seem to be two paths. Some choose to keep their love life completely separate from their social media presence, even when the latter is very active, while others post everything—good and bad, highs and lows, travels and arguments, with dedications and stories. Somewhere in between lies the famous soft launch, showing arms, shoulders, and hands without ever revealing the partner's identity. For some reason, couple content is always hotly debated. Some people complain about its abundance, others analyze it frame by frame, and some demand a full reveal from content creators, celebrities, or even friends. Others see this obsession with showcasing relationship happiness as a sign of insecurity, a need to prove something, in a world built for two—just like yogurt packs, as Coez sings.

And at the end of the story, what do you do? An Instagram dump, says Jennifer Lopez (and the world)

If couple content is polarizing, content at the end of a relationship is even more so. We want to know everything about the end of our favorite parasocial love story. The reasons, the reactions, and how long until the next fling. But that's the spectator's point of view. What about the person personally involved? The answer seems to be: an Instagram dump. The post-breakup Instagram dump actually has two sides. There's the party side, with drinks in hand, club lights, concerts, screaming to the world, "I'm single and ready to enjoy life—I've never felt so free and wild!" Then there's the wellness-focused side, all about self-care and mental and physical well-being. Jennifer Lopez embodies this second approach. As the world commented on her breakup with Ben Affleck, she posted a stunning photo of herself in a one-piece swimsuit, looking fabulous and fit. The message is clear, even if some might call it a bit cringe.

Luckily, we're not influencers

The Instagram dump is everywhere, not just for breakups but for everything. There are dumps that document our vacations or trips, filled with impressions and photos gathered from around the world, tied together by a thin thread—whether explicit or just in the mind of the one posting. It's impossible to exclude the follower's gaze from this type of curated content, the world's gaze. We post to show and be seen, and this applies even post-breakup. We post to prove we're strong, ready to grow, at peace, or seeking peace. The most important thing, though, is to remember one fundamental truth: We are not influencers, even though the line is becoming increasingly blurred. We don't need to prove anything to our ex, their friends, family, or new flame. We're not characters, we're people, and our posts should come from the joy of sharing, not insecurity.