We've all been there.Getting excited about something. Beit a vacation, anew car, an edgyhaircut.It'samazing at the time, but once it's over orthe newness wears off a lot of us are left feeling empty.
This is true for many different walks of life. No one is immune. Oneof the biggest examples of this today, though, —at least as far as my social media feeds are concerned— has to bethepsychology of the aftermath of weddings or "wedding withdrawal".
Wedding withdrawal is exactly what it sounds like. An adverse emotionalreaction to wedding planning and the celebration coming to an end.If you're like my dad, you'll probably roll your eyes at the thought of this— he thinks everythingis assigned a name or diagnosis as a way for the government to make money. Maybe he's right. But ask anyone who has worked in the bridal industry and they'll say wedding withdrawal is a very real thing. I worked as a bridal consultant for some time. So,I can vouch.
Think about it.For months or even years, depending on length of engagement,brides are the center of attention.Calling the shots on attire, decorations,food and all things in between. Everything is about them, what they want and what other people can do to make their big day perfect.For most brides, their wedding is the first timethey've ever planned an event or havebeen in the spotlight. For some, it's completelyintoxicating.
But when it's all said and done, those are the bridesleft with a hangover that only intensifies as time passes and their fairy tale day becomes a thing of the past.
Wedding withdrawal doesn't affect everyone, butthere are some signswhen it does strike. A slight feeling of depression is one. Jealousy of others about to take the big plunge is another. It really isn't limited to just brides, either. It can affect friends and family whoplayed big roles in the planning.
It's easy to spot those with severe wedding withdrawal on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. They are the onesconstantly posting wedding related statuses and pictures,weeks and months following their wedding.
For them, it's not enoughto flip throughphotos on their own to reminisce. No, they need validation from others. They need to post it for everyone to see,like and comment on, regardless of whetherit's the samephotos over and over again. Hashtags like "Throwback Thursday" and "Flashback Friday" only encourage this.
Brides, and grooms for that matter, have a right to be proud of their weddings. Heck, it's supposed to be one of the happiest days of a person's life. But it shouldn'tdefine it.Therecomes a point when peopleshould move forward.I think social media, though, has made that a lot harder for someto do.
That's especially true ofPinterest. A lot of brides become addictedtoPinterest. Spending countless hours creating themost spectacular wedding boards full of style ideas for both the ceremony and reception. When thewedding's over, though, those boards are still there. Acting as another reminder of what was, but isn't anymore.
It's as if social mediahas erased the idea that a wedding is the first day of the rest of a person's life. Whenthere's really so much to look forward to like having a family, building a home, accomplishingcareer goals together; aren't these the reasons most people get married in the first place?
Those suffering from wedding withdrawal might benefit from selecting just a few weddingphotos to post and have those be representative of the day. Unfollowing bridal publications on social media or unsubscribing from them online might be a good idea, too.A new hobby might also suffice. People who seriously can't get over the wedding whirlwind might want consider going into wedding planning and getting paid for theobsession.
So, brides, the next time you want to post yet another picture from the big day, really think about it.Remember we can't move on to the next chapter of our lives if we keep re-reading the last one.
[email protected] 'Like' Shelby Le Duc on Facebook and follow her on Instagram @pgshelbyleduc
