Julia Clark

2. Cleanse Your Digital Life

You’re going to be spending a lot of time on your phone now, so delete any photo of your old life that doesn’t make you look fabulous. Gone are those awkward photos your mom made you take with your Snowball date; gone are those terrible selfies you took when you were trying to see if you had food in your teeth. Next, your contacts. If there is anyone, and I mean ANYONE, on that list who would look ugly next to you, delete their contact. Same goes for anyone who might look prettier than you. You must be the star.

Julia Clark, photograph

3. Time to Spend Some Money

Now, this step is going to get a bit expensive. First you have to stalk your favorite Instagram pages and find the PERFECT outfits. Then, track down the brands online. Look especially for “good vibes” shirts and Fjallraven Kanken Packs. Make it seem like your life is a constant vacation. Buy all the right brands from LuLuLemon to Hydroflask to show that you are in style. Now, you must book trips around the world to the most Insta-worthy places. If that’s not your speed, at least splurge on some bright lights, a real-looking backdrop, and some sand to go with your new bikini so you can post beach pictures at least once a week.

4. Fake it Till You Make it

Recreating the lives you see on Instagram is hard. You can’t let others know that, though. The key is looking like you’re on vacation all the time. No matter what is going on with your life, you must grin and bear it. Fake it till you make it, all the time, 24/7. Even those few times that you’re not taking photos (which should really only be when you’re crossing a busy street—no one looks good with a black eye and a broken neck), you should exude happy confidence to those around you. Your life is great, all the time, any time, even if it’s not. Your dog died? Post