Over time, social media and its content have changed dramatically. Originally created in 2010 as a picture-sharing network, Instagram has evolved into a repository for a wide variety of information. The platform has something for everyone, including the well-known GRWM (Get Ready With Me) footage and vintage humorous cat movies.
These days, GRWM videos are more than just fashion shows or cosmetic lessons. They are instruments for telling stories; they can be used to discuss politics, and personal experiences, or even give frank looks into people’s romantic relationships. The tumultuous, exciting, and occasionally embarrassing stories of strangers’ romantic lives, however, are the one kind of narrative that viewers seem to like the most.
No, we’re not talking about glossy couple Reels that resemble fairytales. These are raw, unfiltered takes on dating that showcase every bump along the way. These Reels often sound like this:
- “Get ready with me to go on a first date”
- “Get ready with me while I tell you about my date”
- “Get ready with me to go on a second date”
- “Get ready with me to meet my ex”
How did it all Begin?
Although excessive social media sharing is not new, talking about one’s dating life became popular in the West before spreading to other areas. Danielle Walter, a 31-year-old American creator who is frequently referred to as “the girl who takes you along on dates,” is one of the pioneers of this practice.
Danielle claims that she began talking about her dating experiences to show people that they are not the only ones who struggle to find love. The outcome? In little than a year, she amassed about a million followers. She has already gone on twelve first dates this year, by the way!
This concept is also being adopted by Indian designers. San Francisco-based Indian influencer Zakir Siddiqui describes himself as a “viral Indian man with a black belt on first dates.” With just 59 posts, he has amassed over one lakh fans thanks to his videos, which include pre-and post-date information.
After analyzing these comparable “dating content” postings, we saw that they frequently maintained a high level of audience engagement, with comment sections brimming with individuals who were eager about the dates and sharing their thoughts about them.
Have a look:
‘The new reality show’
The same is shown by the data. The dating trends of 2025 were forecasted by a recent Bumble study that involved 41,294 participants. This demonstrated how dating has become our “new favourite reality show” due to dating GRWMs, live-streamed breakups, post-date debriefs, hard launches, relationship “tests,” and Dating Wrapped.
- This growing social media bubble, according to Bumble, is embracing a new realness that will be even more relevant in 2025.
- The study also shows that nearly half (48 per cent) of Indian singles are celebrating more authentic dating and relationship content, showcasing not only the highs but also the lows, serving as a ‘window’ into the broader dating experience.
- This shift towards more transparent, shared dating experiences is having a positive impact, with 1 in 4 (26 per cent) women surveyed locally feeling less self-conscious and lonely as a result.
Seeing others candidly talk about these experiences is encouraging people to aim for healthier relationships, seeing possible warning signs, and starting important conversations sooner. Indeed, almost a third of single people (39%) say that realistic, upbeat dating information makes them feel optimistic about their own romantic life; women are even more likely to say this (50%) than men.
Why are we so invested?
Stories about other people’s romantic life have a profound emotional impact on us because they mirror our own hopes, anxieties, and aspirations, according to Aashmeen Munjaal, a mental health and relationship specialist based in Delhi. It’s no surprise that television programs like “Splitsvilla,” “Love Is Blind,” and others rule the world’s entertainment industry. Snacking social media types increasingly incorporate these same themes.
“It’s not just the humour or attractive people that draw us in,” says relationship specialist Ruchi Ruuh. The way emotions develop captivates us and provides us with insights into the intricacies of romance, connection, and attraction. We find them relatable and incredibly fascinating, whether it’s a reel or just one friend telling us their tales.
Experts, however, contend that oversharing frequently involves a cost, one that the oversharing party must frequently bear.
The cost of oversharing
One comment on Danielle’s post about how one of her dates didn’t work out the way she had hoped read, “He probably left you because you were looking like this.”
People who discuss their romantic lives on social media, like Danielle, are frequently subjected to cruel comments. Even if there may be a lot of interaction with this information, there are also a lot of trolls. According to experts, this could have a negative effect on the relationship in addition to the person’s mental health.
Aashmeen cautions that excessive sharing may have unforeseen repercussions. While sharing a romantic moment may feel good at first, she says, it can cause self-doubt if it doesn’t receive the anticipated likes or accolades.
“Consider a new relationship like the flame of a candle. It can be extinguished by too much wind, remarks, opinions, and judgements, she continues.
Ruchi agrees, warning that it can be challenging to establish limits after disclosing something private. It’s one thing to tell a friend about your date, but it’s quite another to post it publicly on Instagram. To safeguard your relationships and mental health, it’s critical to balance transparency and discretion while taking into account the privacy of those concerned,” she suggests.
At last, Aashmeen queries, “Is this moment valuable because it’s ours or because it might receive likes?”
Remember
The most important love stories are those that are lived offline, despite the fact that social media has made dating into a reality show that people want to binge watch. The best chapters are written for a two-person audience, even though everyone enjoys a hot story!