Have you ever been scrolling through Instagram and found yourself thinking, Man, I sure wish I could be super #basic like all of the Instagram Moms I love, but I don’t know where to start? Well, you’re in luck! Having been in the blogging/Instagram game for one year now, I’ve picked up a thing or two. And, because I’m such a kind-hearted, generous, #BasicAndProud gal, I’ve decided to share my learnings with you. Stick with me and you’ll be a #Basic Instagram Mom in no time.
Step 1: Plan Your Attire
You really only have 3 choices here: 1. LuLaRoe or 2. a graphic mom t-shirt – something like Ain’t No Hood Like Motherhood or I’m Not a Regular Mom, I’m a Cool Mom. Your third choice is some form of athleisure (even though you didn’t work out that day – or ever); bonus points if it’s from lululemon. Regarding footwear, your main choices are Converse All-Stars or Adidas Superstars. You can pull off something different for shoes but if you want to be truly #basic, stick to one of those two.
T-Shirt || Shorts || Adidas || Converse
Step 2: Master the Mom Bun
There are many styles of the famous #mombun (aka a #topknot) so choose the one that looks best on you. The messier the better and remember: the higher the hair, the closer to God. Bonus points if your hair hasn’t been washed (because #momlife, am I right?).
|| T-Shirt ||
Step 3: Snap a Photo (or 100)
A garage door is the perfect backdrop but if your garage door won’t work, find a white wall and snap some there. Get someone (ideally your #InstagramHusband) to be your photographer. Be sure to take a ton (a girl needs options) and make them look natural. Look away from the camera sometimes. Tip: Having someone make me laugh always seems to work for me. If you have a LV Neverfull, make sure you’re holding it in the pics to achieve advanced levels of #basic. Keep the shots on your phone (or DSLR) until Step 7.
Step 4: Make a Starbucks Run
No #Basic Instagram Mom outing is complete without a Starbucks beverage. So jump in your SUV or minivan and get over there. Make sure you keep up with whatever the trendy drink du jour is and order that. When in doubt, just order a pink drink. But wait! Don’t you think about drinking that bad boy until you hold it up against a wall and snap a photo of it for your feed or your Stories. Holding it up in your car will suffice, too. Saying things like May your coffee be strong and your Monday be short or something like that will take you to the next level of #basic.
Step 5: Take a Target Trip
Now, you can’t go to Target without telling the entire Instagram world that you’re there. You want everyone else to be jelly of your #Momcation, right? I mean, if it’s not on Instagram, did it even happen? Before you walk in, take a photo of the outside, post it to your Stories, and be sure to call it The Mothership. Once you get in, stop at Starbucks first if you haven’t already (see Step 4). Once Step 4 is complete, proceed to start walking around the store aimlessly. There are a couple photos you need to be sure you take if your kid is with you:
- Your kid in the cart
- Your kid drinking your Starbucks (because they always want some, am I right?)
If you’re ready for advanced levels of #basic, take a photo of the products and displays and tell everyone you want to buy #allthethings.
Step 6: Lunch it at Chick-fil-A
Once you have seen the sights at Target and spent way more than you planned (because the most #Basic Instagram Moms always spend too much), jump back in your SUV or minivan and head straight to Chick-fil-a; it’s where the #basic moms hang out. If pressed for time, it’s okay to go through the drive-thru but be sure to snap a pic of your food for your Stories.
Step 7: Post It Up
So you’ve had the best, most #basic day, and now you must pick one of the photos from Step 3 for your feed. Choose wisely. Tip: Photos with kids get more engagement. Be sure to first edit it in Snapseed and then slap your VSCO filter of choice on it so it flows with the rest of your feed. Are you a dark and moody or a bright and whimsy kind of Instagram Mom? It’s up to you! Caption your photo with something like Mom life is the best life or some other sweet, profound reflection about motherhood. If you’re on LiketoKnow.it, be sure to link it up. And don’t forget your hashtags.
Step 8: Success
That’s it! You’re officially a #Basic Instagram Mom so sit back and watch the likes and comments roll in. Bonus Tips: When you get donuts, take a photo of them. If you get a giant pool float, take a photo on it.
If you’ve made it this far (and/or if you follow me on Instagram), you’ve hopefully figured out that I’m totally making fun of myself here. Life’s too short to take ourselves too seriously. Plus…
If being #basic is wrong, I don’t want to be right. #Blessed
#Blessed. Probably my favorite post I’ve read in a long time! Instagram is so serious these days – so good and refreshing to give it a little bit of humor!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for reading!
oh my god, this is hilarious! Sharing!
Ha! Thank you!! So glad you enjoyed it!
haha I love this post! So funny, clever and so #extra. 🙂
Haha! Thanks, friend!!
Omg this is so hilarious and so spot on and pretty much my everyday life, LOL. #basicforlife
Yes, girl! Mine, too! #BasicForLife!!
This made me laugh! I went to Chick fil A for the first time a couple weeks ago and it was pretty darn good. I should’ve taken a pic!
For the first time?! You TOTALLY should have taken a photo!!
You are the cutest! Love this post and tips!
Aw thanks, girl!
So, so hilarious. And basically my life every single day!
Haha! Mine too, girl! Thanks for reading!
Awesome post, really great images! I will store this one away for when I have a kid and need to revamp my instagram style! 😛
Hahaha! Thanks! All are welcome to become #Basic Instagram Moms! 😂
This is one of the best posts that I’ve read in a while lol. Apparently, I’m not as basic as I thought!
Ha! Thank you so much!! Maybe not! 😉
This has me in stitches!! LOL!! You are one clever and hilarious gal my friend!!
Ha! Thank you!! I had a great time writing it!! 😘
Love this post. How do you feel about influencers being attacked so much lately about not being “authentic”?
Thank you! Interesting question. I, of course, don’t feel good about it but I think the generalization has some merit. I do think there’s probably a lot of people out here who are faking it. It’s hard when you know that brands want things to look curated and pretty but life is anything but. It’s a balance for sure. But social media is a highlight reel, right? It’s impossible to show everyone everything. I personally feel like I keep in real in my blog posts and captions on social media (and my Stories) but real life is rarely as pretty as the pictures. Thanks for reading!!
Love this! So funny!
Thank you! It was fun to write!
Okay, so I am dying of laughter. This was fabulous and so true which is so #basic. I can’t get enough… the Starbucks pictures always make me giggle.
Ha! I’m so glad you liked it! Thanks for reading! xo
I love this!!! It happens more than I could think of!
Thanks girl! Alllll the time!!
Bwahahaha this is absolutely amazing… and accurate!!! 😂😍😘
Ha! Thanks, girl!!
Haha I LOVE this. Totally #basic
Thanks, friend! #BasicForLife!
Amazing! Not much else other than that to say! Loved!
Thank you, Ashley! You da best!
This is so funny Shannon! You got a little snarkiness in you, love it! I love your shorts too. 😘😘
Thanks so much! My husband would tell you I have a lot more than a little snarkiness. 😂😂 This was all in good fun, though! Thanks for reading!
HAHAHA!! I’m pretty sure I’ve reached level 💯 of basic-ness because I do all of these things!! 😉
Yassssss!! Own it girl! Basic and proud right here!
lol you’re amazing Shannon. I need to go get some sneakers now.
Aw thank you!! Yes, you totally need some!
hahahahah I totally laughed out loud! So true! I still stuggle trying to make my instagram feed flow 🙁 #firstworldprobz
Erica Valentin
http://www.EricaValentin.com
I’m so glad! Thanks! And, your feed totally flows! It looks great! xo
Loved every pic & style of yours.. It was so great! n lots of muaah to mom -baby pic!
Thank you SO much!!
Check, Check, Check, and Check!! LOL Such a great post because its OH so true!
Ha! Thanks, girl! #BasicForLife!
omg hysterical, I am dying! So true and I’m guilty of several myself… eeek!
Thank you! I’m so glad you like it. I think we’re all guilty of at least a couple. I’m guilty of all of them! Thanks for reading!
Girl…you had me rolling!! I read this at work and I had to close it to stop giggling. And it’s a little true. ha ha ha..I love your stuff!!!
Bahahaa! Don’t get in trouble at work! LOL. And, I would venture to say it’s more than a “little” true, am I right?? Thanks so much for reading and for the love!
Oh my goodness. This is amazing! Such truth 😂
Bahaha! Thanks, girl! #BasicForLife!
That was great!! 🙂 Love reading your articles. Have a nice day! 🙂
Thank you, Amy!! You, too!
Bahahaha! I love this because it is so damn true! Oh gosh, it’s really a fine art mastering that #basic mom thing!
Hahaha! It’s both an art and a science! Thanks for reading!
Very cute post!
Thank you!