It might seem easy to dismiss:Who cares?
Instagram is not real life.
The thing is, though, Instagram kind ofisreal life.
What is a soft launch?
That definitely falls into the overt category.
These days, an overt relationship update involves a grid post.
Bonus points if you tag your partner.
For that reason, many social media users prefer the soft launch method.
A guy you briefly dated posted a video that pans over a woman sitting on his couch.
Is she a friend, a cousin, or a girlfriend?
Theres a plausible deniability baked into each of these kinds of soft launch.
What does a relationship launch on social media mean?
Henriquez said a social media post announcingor even implyingthe existence of a romantic partner is full of meaning.
To watch when youre like, Oh, wait, I see two plates…
I see holding hands… Its the build-up of, Who is this person?
No heartbreak is fun, but one that plays out online through a premature roll-out is especially mortifying.
Relationships in whichone person is more onlinethan the other are pretty common.
When should you post your significant other?
Are you confident this relationship is going to last?
Is there anything about this person that could negatively impact you professionally or socially?
She recommends involving your loved ones so that they know who youre with before the world knows.
You need feedback from people who see the day-to-day relationship, too, not just likes from your followers.
Finally, dont rush into posting just because you have something to prove.
Fight the urge to keep up with the Joneses, or, literally in this case, the Kardashians.
What happens if you break up?
Thats defeatist and robs you of the chance to fully embrace something that could be really joyful and impactful.
A relationship can be great and valuable even if itdoesend.
Its embarrassing when your social media has become a shrine to someone and that person suddenly exits your world.
You could just quietly delete and archive all the photos, which plenty of newly-single individuals do.
Just know that leads to speculation in other peoples group chats.
Post a Story asking for breakup song or dating app recommendations.
Share a meme about being single and ready to mingle.
The soft launch is a delicate art, but youve mastered it already.
Maybe theyre the one… and youll have to start strategizing a whole new soft launch.
