Here’s a nostalgic look back at some of the posting habits we once thought were completely normal, but now look back on with a few questionable thoughts.
Our generation has been through a lot of internet phases. We grew up as the trends grew up, which means we also grew up posting things that felt completely normal at the time and now live in our camera rolls like evidence in a case against us. If 2016-us walked in right now and started posting the way we used to, 2026-us would have several things to say.
Here’s how I think we would feel:
The selfie had to be edited, and the editing had to be obvious
There was a time when Snapchat filters were practically a part of the posting ritual. You didn’t necessarily need a great photo; you just needed the right filter. Dog ears, flower crowns, rainbow vomit, giant eyes and the occasional face swap. If Snapchat introduced a new way to alter your face, chances were we were trying it within the week. The filters were exaggerated and obviously fake, which is the opposite of where filters have gone now. Today the goal of filters is to make you look like yourself but slightly better rested. Back then, there was no such pretence.
