Back in the days of our parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents, love had no social media stage. There were no phones, let alone Facebook or Instagram. Back then, if you saw someone on the bus who caught your eye but didn’t have the nerve to ask for her address, you might write to the lovers’ column in a newspaper and hope for a miracle. If you were brave enough to ask for her address (perhaps by a daring move like stepping on her foot), the next step would involve writing letters.
But no matter how love began, it often had to remain secret. Romantic relationships were frowned upon and deemed not ‘cultural.’ Marriage was typically arranged and led straight to the altar with little room for courtship. And so, love stories of the past were often whispered, hidden away from family and the wider world.
Love in the Time of Social Media!
Times have changed. The world has changed. Social media has revolutionized how we connect, meet, and even fall in love. Today, many relationships begin online, progress to real life, and soon after, make their grand debut on social media. Couples update their relationship status on Facebook—loudly declaring, “I’m in a relationship with…”—announcing their love to the world.
It’s now common to see social media filled with couple photos and shared relationship milestones. A quick scroll through someone’s profile is often enough to know whether they’re single, dating, or married.
Some even take it a step further, creating joint social media accounts like “Sirimal and Senehelatha” or “Mr. & Mrs. Dolphin.”
Love in Full Bloom: The ‘Hard Launch’
When it comes to sharing relationships on social media, some couples go all out. These are the ones who embrace the hard launch—loudly and proudly showcasing their love. They post relationship statuses, share selfies of hugging each other in scenic locations, eat ice cream from the same spoon, or snuggle under one jersey in a series of photo albums. Their affection is so evident that even pets and strangers can tell, “These two are madly in love.”
There’s Someone, But No Names!
Not everyone wants to make a grand declaration. Some prefer subtlety, revealing just enough to let the world know they’re taken—but not with whom. Enter the soft launch.
Imagine a photo of a candlelit dinner where only two hands clasped across the table are visible. Or a scenic snapshot of a waterfall featuring the back of one partner holding hands with the other. Perhaps a cryptic relationship status states, “In a relationship,” without revealing more. A soft launch leaves just enough intrigue while keeping details under wraps.
No Spotlight, Please: The ‘No-Launch’ Trend
And then, there’s another way—one that’s gaining popularity in today’s digital age. Just like in the good old days before social media, some people choose complete privacy. They don’t post couple photos, share relationship statuses, or even drop hints about their love lives online.
This trend, aptly called the “No Launch,” is about valuing privacy above all else. Celebrities often lead the way in this approach, keeping their personal lives under wraps to avoid unnecessary attention. For them, it’s practical—a way to keep paparazzi and rumours at bay.
But it’s not just the famous who embrace the no-launch lifestyle. Many everyday couples also believe that their relationship should remain theirs alone. For them, social media is no place for love stories. They don’t even share engagement or wedding photos—a stark contrast to the soft or hard launch enthusiasts.
Hard, Soft, or No Launch: What Will You Choose?
For the social media generation, the idea of secretly loving may feel outdated—unless it’s an affair! Yet, the no-launch trend is steadily returning, particularly on platforms like Instagram. Couples who follow this trend leave no digital trace of their relationship.
For the average social media user who values privacy, avoiding posts about a love life might not feel like a burden. They might still share the occasional wedding or engagement photo. But for true no-launch adherents, even that is a strict no-no.
So, as you navigate your romantic journey—whether it’s a budding relationship, engagement, or marriage—what’s your style? Do you go big with a hard launch, stay mysterious with a soft launch, or embrace the secrecy of a no-launch?
Ultimately, the choice is yours. But one thing’s for sure…
History repeats itself!
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