Instagram is arguably one of the most popular social media platforms being used today. With social media being such a prevalent part of life, it's almost as if everybody is living two separate lives; one outwardly and the other on their phone.

While there are clearly positive aspects of integrating media into a person’s everyday experience, it can also increase pressure on users to maintain a social appearance that they want to uphold.This is now more commonly defined by the term “aesthetic” that you'll see floating around social media nowadays.

An Instagram aesthetic is more than just color schemes fitting together just right, or writing each post in lowercase letters to convey a more relaxed, carefree tone (or just for consistency’s sake). Upon doing some research to write this article, I found that there are several web pages devoted to helping people create their online image. This whole concept extends far greater than just trying to make Instagram pictures appear color coordinated.

This is not just an issue with Instagram, but any social media outlet. Whether people are conscious of the distinction between the two lives that they lead, both online and in the physical world, whatever they're posting is constantly affecting each aspect of their dual identities. In many cases, an Instagram user with a thousand followers will only know about a couple hundred of them, personally.

However, everything has become curated to the extent that users know that their posts will be affecting potentially a limitless amount of people, so there's increased pressure to not only post a picture or text of substance, but to also convey a personality that will be attractive to massive amounts of viewers.

This is a whole lot of unnecessary pressure when you just want to post a picture of a sunset that makes you happy, but you avoid doing that with the fear of being labeled “basic,” or only getting 15 likes on a picture.

Activity in this online world helps craft behavioral patterns that a person can carry into their real lives, especially in regards to insecurity. There are several unwritten rules when it comes to Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat, or whatever outlet being used.

With each Tweet, Snap, Instagram picture, or share, parts of you are being pieced together by outsiders, as they are creating an image of you that you will never know about, or ever know is accurate. It would be wonderful if most people entertained the mindset of “what people think about me is none of my business,” but unfortunately, that's never the case. Even we care about what we think about ourselves.

Identity crises can’t entirely be blamed on the rise of social media, as people of any age and in any condition will always be influenced by others around them. However, the Internet world makes matters entirely more pressing, and forces people to assume an identity. What causes the distinction between the two “lives” is that people are given the chance to recreate themselves, separate from the lives they physically lead. Having this choice is daunting. We have a lot of power in choosing how we want to be seen, and it's not easy.

I acknowledge that all of this is a first world issue, but identity is a big thing, and the media doesn't help make the process of "becoming" any easier. I'm probably too personable, and perhaps optimistic, to come across as unfazed and innately artsy on social media.

I often wonder if this is only an issue that females face. It can be argued that females are under a stronger amount of scrutiny and fear of slut-shaming from both genders. 
With is being said, a person should know that they have the complete freedom to choose what they want to post- so you do you.

 As cliché as it sounds, we will never be able to fit into a specific box, and it’s unrealistic of us to expect that of ourselves. We can't condense ourselves into a particular image just to give ourselves a particular, uniformed  persona. We are just as messy as the pieces of ourselves that we leave behind in the Internet world, and we shouldn't feel the need to pick them up. And that's an aesthetic goal, in of itself.

Originally appeared in The Odyssey, reproduced at the request of the author

RunwayRiot is the fashion and lifestyle website run by model Iskra Lawrence. Lawrence is an advocate for body positivity and women in the media. She aims to spread awareness of body diversity and produce articles that appeal to women of all shapes, sizes, and skin color. It’s definitely worth a read if you’re interested in learning more about Lawrence’s work.

According to the “About” section of the website,

RunwayRiot not only features Lawrence’s “Rants and Raves”, but also an online shop for plus-sized [and other] clothing. Featured brands and designers include Adidas, ASOS, Forever 21, Mac Cosmetics, Nasty Gal, and Nordstrom.

Urban Bush Babes is a blog started by Cipriana Quann and Nikisha Brunson. UBB revolves around the natural hair movement and fashion, but also touches on music, the arts, health, and living in New York City. Capriana and Nikisha write, “The Urban Bush Babe is anyone who goes beyond the labels and steps outside of the box, they are comfortable in their own skin and embrace others” (more here).

I first found UBB on Instagram, and immediately fell in love with the Quann sisters and Brunson. They both have an amazing sense of style, and have been recognized for it by Vogue, Ebony Magazine, and more. I especially love their Style tab, which is full of magazine looks, Fashion Week editorials, and insights into new trends.

You can look at some of UBB’s Instagram posts below, and be sure to check out their personal accounts; Capriana and Nikisha. They are sometimes joined by Capriana’s twin sister, TK Wonder ​

I love tattoos, and what better way to see an artist’s portfolio than through Instagram. I’ve found that over the years I have followed a lot of artists from around the world. Below is just a small list of my favorites for you to check out!

7. Tea from Brooklyn, NY

6. Lauren Winzer from Hunter & Fox Tattoo in Sydney, Australia ​

5. Egbz from Plastic Surgery Tatto in Rome, Italy

4. Susanne König from Immer & Ewig in Hamburg, Germany

3. Danny Birch from Heart For Art in Manchester, UK

2. Miryam Lumpini  in Los Angeles, CA

1. Ivan Antonyshev from Mainstay Tattoo in Austin, TX

The front page is the stuff I use the most, Evernote is a great note taking app for work or school.

The second page is mostly folders of less frequently used stuff.

Waze is essential for navigation and Uber is great when you need a ride quickly.

I keep a lot of the generic Apple apps I don't use here.

And same here.

This is all the health related stuff. My Pill Reminder is a great birth control reminder and Sleep Cycles tracks sleep patterns really well.

Yik Yak is necessary on a college campus and Facebook messenger is essential.

These at the less frequently used music apps, since Spotify is on my main page. Bandsintown is a great app for finding concerts and shows near you.

Boring banking stuff.

Photography related apps land here. Facetune and A Beautiful Mess are my main photo editing apps.

This is essentially a miscellaneous folder, but if you don't already have Gif Keyboard definitely download it for all the best gifs.

As pig-headed and stubborn I can be, I do realize that at 20, there's a lot I don't know. And there's a lot I don't know I don't know. I found a great resource on how to adult, How To Grow The Fuck Up. This website evolved from a Tumblr and now has essentially a master list on how to do adult things. This list has tutorials on finances, personal documents, health, job hunting, and even relationships. 

This isn't something you'll need every day, but bookmark it so one day when you're freaking out about what the hell jury duty is and why you were selected, you can calm down and read and learn and adult properly. 

Follow How To Grow The Fuck Up on Twitter and check out their tips and you'll be a real person in no time. 

I recently re-joined Lookbook, an interactive website where you post pictures of yourself in different outfits. You can label your outfit (i.e. where everything came from), and gain “hype” from it (how many people like it).

So far that is my only post, but I will try to spend more time updating my profile, adding looks, and creating collections. You can look at my profile here.
If you’re new to Lookbook too (or need more people to follow), I suggest the following, as they’re my favorite bloggers; Luanna, Francis, Eugénie, and Ellen. They have such amazing styles, and they were the first profiles I tracked down when I made my account.

If you haven’t visited Lookbook, definitely check it out. It’s a great way to organize your outfits and look at different trends you’re interested in.