Why do couples “overcompensate” on social media?

[Anonymous]

I know an engaged couple that is going through an affair at the moment. He had an 8 month affair with someone on a dating app and she stupidly took him back.

Anyways, they’re trying to reconcile and she keeps posting on social media trying to make it look like they’re happy but they’re not.

Only a small number of people know about their situation and I get that it’s not ideal to air your dirty laundry, but why try to make it look like your life and relationship is great when it’s all fake? Why not just get off social media and actually try to fix your relationship?

[MrOracle]

A lot of people use social media (or other media) to try to portray themselves as better off than they are in one way or another. Sometimes it's because they want others to perceive them as having higher status than they have, and sometimes it's to convince themselves.

How many stories have you heard about social media "influencers" believing their own hype and trying to demand things as a result (often getting shot down).

How many people use Twitter or Instagram to portray themselves as living a lifestyle that they really don't (and can't afford) - even going into debt to do so, or having access or status they don't really have (sky boxes at sporting events or backstage at concerts, etc.). Is it any surprise that people do it with relationships too?

And it isn't new. MTV used to have a show called MTV Cribs, where they went to celebrity's houses and showed off their homes and cars and such. They finally canceled the show when it became obvious (and repeatedly proven) that the houses often belonged to someone else or were rented for the show, and the same with their fleet of exotic cars, most of which had plates and stickers from the rental company on them. That crap was going on more than 20 years ago.

[HIGHFLIII]

I believe it would be in reaction in either one of two thing.

1. The couple want everyone to mind their own business but tend to reinforce it with the mask of a healthy relationship which would be similar to lying which would feed their guilt which would make them post again.

2. They may be doing it because their self esteem is low on eachother. Its similar to if an individual keeps hooking up with the same type of partnwr who they know is bad for them but does not attempt to fix it. It has somehow become their comfort zone and without realizing it, they dig themselves in a very deep hole that will take serious work to get out of.

[Asker]

That’s an interesting theory. Probably both tbf

[btbc92]

People overcompensate on everything because they are just not compatible or do things to try and make a person stay. Let them suffer and just do you. It's their life, their choices. This is why I stick to God's standards. And if he says premarital sex is a sin, it's a sin. You're now seeing why its a sin. Its driving people nuts and off the wall. But crazy people will just do crazy things. They can't fix something that wasn't meant to be fixed. They just not meant to be together and should just end it. But again, not my business.

[SexyAshh]

Because couples photos can show a sense of fake happiness that they believe will trasnpire to show others they are so happy.

I've always laughed about this too, all my social medias are full of pics of myself and my life, i barley even post pics of my s/o when i even have one for this very reason. Other people have ruined it

[JDavid25]

Yeah, I knew a woman who was the same way.. She was interested in me for a small minute, and she wanted to get a divorce and how she knew her husband was cheatin.. But on Instagram they was all peachy and good.. I guess because they had the same friends, and they didn't wanna ruin the image they put out, so they faked it.. They didn't wanna make each other look bad.. But she was unsatisfied, and he was probably cheatin again.. LOL..

[Alwaysthinking14]

She’s doing it in the hopes of warding off other girls. She’s also trying to convince herself and family (mom dad and grandma) that everything is ok. It’s a normal thing.

[Asker]

Surely, that won’t last long or turn out well in the long run though?

[Alwaysthinking14]

Sure it will. I have friends that have been doing it since 2009. What they put online is fantasy it’s what they wish their relationship was. That fantasy will end when they decide to end it. It’s annoying to you because you know the truth, but to people that don’t know they look perfect and to them they scroll through the page and see the life they want not necessarily the one they have. Relationships are what you make them and if it’s one thing I’ve learned in this world is that most people that make it to 40-50 years married had what I think is a terrible marriage. I have a friend that boasts about her 17 years of marriage- husband has literally left the house and moved in with other women TWICE!! But she’s there posting happy memories on Facebook. I’m convinced she’ll be one of those 40 year old marriages. It just depends how much you’re willing to put up with. So unfollow them and leave them in their denial because you may be in it for the long haul. Lol

[JamesBoradil03]

because they are insecure about the relationship and dont think it will last so they overcompensate on social media to prject that they are doing amazing in the relationship. thats why most relationships in highschool where both people costantly post how much they love eachother dont last longer than 3 months while those who keep it to themselves last 1 to 2 years.

[Secret6620]

Deep down they are not actually happy. From my experience but this is not always the case. Sometimes they really do want to show the world their love. 💚💜💙

[Asherz0]

It's about showing everyone how amazing your life is like a fantasy life and boasting about it in a away and people also love getting loads of likes on posts, people never see behind close doors where people can just be sat at home or anything like arguments with partners or families, it's trying to show your life is amazing when they are only showing people what they want you to see and what they think will look good from a social standpoint

[enas3693]

i think its from lack of stability in the relationship, a majority of couples that are flashy over media aren't doing well.

[Anonymous]

Yeah I don’t get that either. I’ve noticed that the ones that try the hardest to look the best on social media are usually the ones struggling the most too. Maybe there’s some generalised truth to that then.

[TonyBologna25]

I agree. I’ve seen a lot of couples do that. She’s a dumbass for taking him back too.

[BrittBratt2416]

I ould definitely fix it... by kicking his cheating ass to the curb.

[SpookyKat]

Wow yeah that's crazy. After 8 months too smh Im not really on SM anymore but I only post true good things

[JulieRoze7]

Because the fake reality feels better than the real one

[sidvt]

Everyone make mistakes maybe she is giving him a chance to correct himself as she likes him n want him. How can you judge them directly

[Asker]

I get mistakes but he actively sought out women on tinder. Plus she only knows about this one 8 month affair, if he was on tinder you knowww there’s more he’s been with. So sad she’s tolerating all this tbf. This was no mistake, it was a choice

[sidvt]

But u can do nothing until the girl supports her guy

[LonewolfMeme]

Because no matter who you are no one wants to be in a situation where things aren't alright.

[Anonymous]

Because that's what insecure people do on social media

[Anonymous]

why is there fake news on social media?

i just think social media has caused lots of problems in this world