If there’s one thing that my generation knows how to do exceptionally well, it’s breaking up in public. Well, OK, not exactly “in public,” but on social media — we’re the kings and queens of seamlessly transitioning our profiles from “single” to “in a relationship,” and we know how to “delete” our exs from our lives at the click of a button. We’ve made the social media breakup “a thing.”

I have mixed feelings about this, honestly. I’ve been single and in a relationship off and on since I was 16. Sometimes I react to breaking up by deleting all traces of my ex in one tear-filled, wine-induced swoop. I make his family members, friends, annnnnd all of our shared photos go bye-bye. Then, sometimes, I’m like, “hey! We can still be friends – whatevs,” and I keep our digital footprints around.

One thing is certain, though. Regardless of me keeping my ex’s digital life in plain view, I always — always — am more active on social media when I’m single.

Apparently, I’m not the only one exhibiting this type of behavior. Recently, the Atlantic reported that newly single people have a propensity to post more updates in order to look like they’re doing great — scratch that, marvelous, darling — post breakup.

Here’s a bit of data to back that up, via the Atlantic:

“Facebook released data earlier this year that said when people switch their status from indicating any type of relationship to “single,” they immediately swoop into a transient 225 percent increase in the volume of interactions on the site. In those days and weeks (months?) after a relationship ends, it’s also true that the theatrics of our social-media caricatures bend toward an audience of one.”

Then there’s the whole concept of “winning a breakup.” You know, making sure you post just enough photos to your accounts that show you are having a total ball, and not giving a single care about that one person you used to share a bed with.

I don’t know… I’ve never “won” a breakup. I’ve just been through them. And if I look through the history of my photos I tend to post when single vs. in a relationship, not much changes. (AKA I still post 90 percent beagle pics.) So, there’s that.

Related on EcoSalon

7 Steps to Getting Over a Breakup (That’s Totally Your Fault)

20 Hilariously Horrible Reasons to Break Up with Someone

10 Songs to Listen to Post Breakup

Image: woodleywonderworks

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