An individual contributor to Business Insider reported choosing to forgo social media announcements for major life events, including a home purchase, marriage, and pregnancy, in favor of direct communication. The writer stated that sharing news through in-person meetings or phone calls rather than public posts resulted in more meaningful interactions with friends and family.
The decision followed years of receiving direct updates from friends regarding both joyful and somber life changes. The individual noted that being contacted personally before seeing a public social media post created a sense of being prioritized. This led to a decision to apply the same approach when experiencing multiple milestones within a single year.
In 2023, the individual purchased a mountain home, became engaged, eloped in an intimate ceremony, and began expecting a child. Instead of posting traditional images, such as holding house keys, the news was shared during drinks, housewarmings, or scheduled phone calls. The individual reported that witnessing friends' physical reactions, such as hugs and verbal congratulations, provided a greater emotional response than digital engagement metrics like "likes" or emojis.