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What Your Social Media Posts Say About You As A Person

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What do you most often post or share on social media?

A person holds a smartphone in front of their face, capturing a selfie. The phone displays their excited expression with a wide smile. The background is a vibrant yellow, and the person wears a light shirt with their hair styled in two buns.

The things we share with others can speak volumes about who we are and how we’re feeling. Take a look at the different types of social media posts listed here and see if they accurately reflect what type of person you are, and how you’ve been feeling lately.

1. Photos of you and your partner together:

A man and woman smiling as they take a selfie together. The man has short dark hair and a beard, wearing a white shirt. The woman has long blonde hair and is also smiling brightly. They appear to be outdoors.

If you’re posting a lot of photos of you and your partner, it could be for one of two reasons: you’re either super excited about your new relationship, or you’re feeling insecure and are posting to make up for what you feel might be distance or deterioration between you.

2. Pictures of your kids:

A woman is taking a selfie while giving a young boy a kiss on the cheek. They are sitting on a couch near a window with sheer curtains. Both people are smiling slightly, and the woman is holding the phone with a colorful manicure.

You may post photos of your little ones because you’re proud of them and you’re keen to show off your parenting prowess, including the meals and outfits you make for them. Alternatively, you may feel overwhelmed and are overcompensating for the guilt you feel about the loss of freedom that you had before the sproglets, or the guilt you feel for not being a better parent.

3. Selfies:

A person with blonde hair takes a selfie using a smartphone, holding it at arm's length. They are seated at a wooden table with a white coffee cup and an open laptop in a dimly lit room.

It’s possible that you’re feeling self-conscious and are seeking external validation from those in your online social groups. Those who post a lot of selfies often do so to overcompensate for things they dislike about their appearance, hoping that others will say kind things about how they look to make them feel better.

4. “Vaguebooking”:

A woman with long hair is lying on a couch, holding and looking at a smartphone. Her focus is on the screen, and she is resting on a cream-colored pillow. A plant is visible in the background.

Some people make allusions to things in their lives by posting vague things on social media, rather than saying it outright. You may want to speak up but are nervous about reprisals for doing so. Alternatively, you may feel lonely and are seeking attention from those who reach out to see if you’re doing okay.

5. Food photos and recipes:

A person taking a photo of a plate with waffles topped with raspberries using a smartphone. There's a cup of coffee and a small jug on the wooden table nearby, along with extra raspberries in a bowl.

Food is a source of comfort for many people, and preparing dishes to share with others is also a major love language (generally associated with “acts of service”). If you’re posting a lot of food photos and recipes, you may be subconsciously trying to nourish both yourself and your followers.

6. Images of crafts or art you’re creating:

A person holds a smartphone taking a photo of handmade beaded jewelry laid out on a table. The workspace includes trays with assorted beads and crafting tools.

Have you been posting images of wood carvings or knitted items you’ve created? Then you’re likely proud of the progress you’ve made and are hoping to inspire others in turn. Additionally, you may be self-promoting if you’re making a living as a creative, or would like to pursue a career in that realm.

7. Dark humor:

A person with short hair and glasses is seated at a table, smiling while looking at a smartphone. They are wearing a beige shirt over a green T-shirt, with a bracelet on one wrist. The background features a dark curtain and office chairs.

There’s a saying along the lines of: “What didn’t kill me gave me questionable coping skills and a dark sense of humor”. If you’ve been through some seriously murky stuff and came out swinging, you may use dark humor to deflect from challenging emotions, or to help you through personal struggles.

8. Political or climate-related posts:

A person holding a smartphone with both hands, focusing on the screen. The background is blurred, and the person is wearing a light-colored shirt.

You may be feeling helpless about the monumental issues the world is facing right now, and this is the only action you feel that you can take. You feel that it’s important to wake others up to injustices that are taking place, and hopefully mobilize them into making change happen as a group.

9. Cute or funny animal photos:

A hand holds a smartphone capturing two dogs in summer outfits, wearing sunglasses and snorkel gear. Tropical beach with palm trees in the background.

Many people who post cute or ridiculous animal photos do so because they’re feeling quite down, and are immersing themselves in media that cheers them up. If these memes are lifting your spirits, you may share them in the hope of cheering up others who are struggling as well.

10. Complaints and criticisms:

A man sitting on a couch, wrapped in a yellow blanket, looks intently at his smartphone screen. The room is dimly lit, with a small lamp in the background providing soft lighting. He wears a light-pink shirt.

Those who feel immense frustration or anger about things in the world that they have no control over will often express these feelings on social media. If you’ve been venting your spleen online, posting tirades and critiques about everything that upsets you, you’re likely feeling quite helpless in the face of immense upheaval.

11. Interior decor (especially around holidays):

A person takes a photo of three champagne glasses with a smartphone. The background shows a decorated Christmas tree and a champagne bottle. The focus is on the phone screen displaying the glasses.

You may be feeling down about things going on around you (or lonely if you’re away from family) and want to brighten up both your own spirits and those of others with joyful holiday cheer. Since many people associate holidays with warmth and comfort, you’re hoping to inspire these feelings in your followers.

12. Fairly banal updates or commentary:

A man with short dark hair and a beard is standing outdoors, wearing a blue T-shirt. He is looking down and smiling slightly at a smartphone he is holding in one hand. The background features a lit street with trees and buildings, slightly blurred.

You probably don’t even want to be on social media, but feel obligated to do so in order to stay in contact with friends and family. As such, you only post the bare minimum to keep your account active, with bland observations or images that couldn’t be considered offensive by anyone.

About The Author

Catherine Winter is an herbalist, INTJ empath, narcissistic abuse survivor, and PTSD warrior currently based in Quebec's Laurentian mountains. In an informal role as confidant and guide, Catherine has helped countless people work through difficult times in their lives and relationships, including divorce, ageing and death journeys, grief, abuse, and trauma recovery, as they navigate their individual paths towards healing and personal peace.