In how I use Instagram?

[AnnaSteen]

So I have very few friends on Instagram - mainly close friends who don’t know each other (met at different life stages) so I use Instagram to post when I do anything nice and to share holiday pics.

We’re currently going through IVF/Infertility. So we’ve been going on lots of holidays to cheer ourselves up when a cycle fails or just in general. So far this year we’ve been abroad 3 times and going away for two weeks now and then again for a long weekend in August. I usually upload some pics from these hols online. However I don’t mention anything about IVF.

I find when I get very down I go on my Instagram to remind myself I am very lucky and have a nice life and that it will be ok even if we don’t manage to have kids. I like to look back at all the nice stuff I’ve done. I don’t really want to see doom & gloom posts. I also don’t want to share about IVF with absolutely everyone. I’ve been pretty open with my friends about it so I’d say over half my friends on insta know about it so under a holiday pic they’re likely to post ‘try have a nice relax’ etc. One friend who doesn’t know recently commented that I’m always on holidays having a great time and I didn’t know what to say.

AIBU I’m not showing all sides of my life or is it ok to just use it to post pics of nice things that are going on!

I think it’s absolutely fine. I personally like seeing everyone’s best moments on Instagram, it cheers me up! I have no objection to anyone using it to talk about things that are difficult for them, but I don’t think it has to be an obligation that people do so.

I hope your IVF treatment works out for you

You can use social media any way you want (as long you obviously follow community guidelines, which this clearly does).

You’re fine. Instagram especially is for sharing the moments that you want to capture. It has had a huge trend for vulnerability lately, but I’m always much more likely to want to see photos with lightness and joy.

YANBU, we all know that Instagram doesn’t share the full story of someone’s life.
You deserve to appreciate the good things in your life OP

YANBU, I think Instagram is particularly used for those "life is good" pics. Best of luck with the IVF - I post pics of the weekend breaks DH and I try and book between my Chemotherapy sessions, I certainly don't post pics of me sitting in the hospital having poison pumped into my veins!

I love Instagram and it is the SM platform I use most. I would say that 99% of people are only ever showing a part of their life. There are profiles that people set up to focus on their journeys i.e. weight loss, depression, mental health, parenting, sexual explorations etc - and all their posts on that profile focus on that particular aspect of their journey. My point being; many, many people create profiles with a set purpose whether it be to inspire, motivate, share or even just show off.

If you choose to keep your own profile as things that make you happy then I say go for it! No-one can tell you what to post on your own page the exact same way that no one can tell you how to live your life.

YANBU you can use social media in the way that suits you (within the rules as others have said).
Just bear in mind that if you’re only showing part of your life, then you shouldn’t expect people to comment as if they know all of it. I’m the context of your Instagram account it would seem you are on holiday a lot and having a great time. If that’s the only info and updates they’re getting you can see why they’d come to that conclusion.

Do what you like on your insta. And good luck, because if and when the little ones come, it’ll just be full of children pictures. Good luck with IVF journey. Rooting for you.

Thanks all for the replies! I just felt confused as I am having a great time on these hols but it’s not the bigger picture. I felt bad my friend was seeming envious as she didn’t know the whole picture but then I also just didn’t feel up to talking about it! Hopefully IVF works soon and as a poster said I’ll no longer have this issue 😂