Social media has changed the way people view relationships, and not always for the better. What used to be considered a healthy and meaningful relationship can now feel inadequate when compared to the carefully curated relationships displayed online. From extravagant dates and surprise gifts to constant public displays of affection, social media has created expectations that can make ordinary relationships seem like they are somehow falling short. 

With that, the ideal bare-minimum standards became confusing as influencers made it seem like some efforts are not enough, brainwashing some individuals into thinking that their partner is not making enough effort to show affection to them.

Maybe it’s just me who thinks that the people who immediately agree with what opinion they see on social media are too naive, as it gives that double standard energy, disregarding what might be their partner's situation. 

“That’s just bare minimum; if they wanted to, they would.”

Goes to show that there are people who really get influenced easily and there are also creators who set unrealistic ideals just for the views– like a tactic to gain attention to vulnerable audiences.

Not that I, myself, am personally against these, but rather, expressing my concern for people who do not think much outside of the box: do they think about their partner's current situation? Could there be any instances as to why a gesture is not appreciated? What about private boundaries? Have they thought that comparing heavily affects their vulnerability, causing unhealthy patterns that change the way they view the person? I am not blaming them for thinking that way, but relationships are complicated, and we all have our own story to tell, boundaries to respect, and situations to understand for a better relationship. Trust is built from the heart and mind– you’ll feel it when the time is right, not from a post on social media. 

It’s not hard to admit that at some point, those kinds of posts are true; we relate to them. However, instead of heavily relying on that to make a point, keep in mind that it is not a reference, not a full-on guide to a healthy relationship; just like this article, it’s an opinion. For some relationships, grand gestures or constant communication are normal. Others don't do it that way. Not everyone has the same relationship dynamics. Communicating these to your partner and having a mutual agreement should do the trick. Or maybe do things that work on both your ends. It’s not toxic to relay your thoughts to your partner, as long as you treat and understand them equally. (But if they react negatively, saying they feel like you’re attacking them, that’s a different story; it can be a you/them problem.)

Moral of the story: just don’t jump immediately to conclusions, consume social media content properly, communicate, and build your trust properly.