You’ll Totally Relate to Jennifer Garner’s Super Sleepy, Makeup-Free Selfie

Why do people want to share their relationship status with others?

My sister used to ask me this question when I was in my 20's, and I always looked at her like she had two heads growing. I couldn't fathom the idea that people wouldn't want to talk about their relationship online because it felt like everyone was doing it. I mean, a study from Pew Research Center shows 8 in 10 people on social media see relationship posts, so it clearly wasn't outrageous to think it was normal.

But, that still doesn't answer why people are drawn to sharing cute little updates about their partner or relationship. Luckily, Bray has a good indication of what drives people to give others a sneak peek into their lives. "People share their relationship status for all kinds of reasons. Some want to mark their territory — nothing says 'back off' quite like a cute couple selfie! Others are just excited and proud of their partner and want to share the joy," she says. That stems from people's "need for a sense of belonging or to receive positive reinforcement from others," she adds.

But, this doesn't necessarily make people weird. It's just human nature that makes us act the way we do. "We as humans are just hard wired to seek connection, and broadcasting our connections, makes us feel more accepted and secure in our social lives."

Should couples have conversations about their social media expectations?

I don't care how hot you think someone is, you're going to have to learn how to communicate with them. It's true even if your chemistry is off-the-charts because healthy relationships don't fall out of the sky. They're built via honesty, respect, forgiveness, and other important factors.

Before assuming your partner is or isn't okay with you posting about your relationship, Bray is 100% convinced you should talk things through. "Social media is still in the wild west of relationship etiquette, and without discussions, assumptions about 'correct' behavior can run wild," she hints. For example, you could be happily posting about your partner only for someone to point out that they're not following you on social media.

"Some people are super private, while others practically live their lives online. Misunderstandings happen when expectations aren't laid out so talking about it can prevent messiness in the long run," Bray observes.

If two people have gone on a couple of dates, should one of them be upset if the other isn't publicly talking about them?

So, you swiped right on Tinder or Bumble, and you had a few amazing dates with one of your matches. Before you start publicly declaring your love for them, Bray wants you to reconsider. "Hold on! It's just a few dates! Let’s pump the brakes. The early stages of dating is not the time to make grand social declarations," she declares. As someone who tried to 'date' people from Tinder, those first few dates aren't a guarantee that you've found the love of your life.

"Posting someone on social media can feel like a big step to some people so expecting that level of public commitment too soon might be too much pressure. If you’re already thinking, 'Why haven’t they posted about me yet?' after two dates, it might be a good time to check in with yourself about where those expectations are coming from," advises Bray.

I've recovered from my former, "Is he the one" obsession so also take it from me — see where things go first and then refer back to question #2!

Is it a red flag if someone doesn't post their partner on social media?

It would be so much fun if we personally had Dustin Poynter, the flag guy, from TikTok helping point us in the right direction — but this is one of those things that errs on the subjective side. Though Bray doesn't feel it's necessarily healthier to keep your relationship private, she thinks "context matters." "Some people are just more private or feel weird about social media in general," she says.

But, that doesn't mean certain behaviors don't warrant a few eyebrow raises. She notes," If someone is super active on social—like posting about their dog’s morning routine and every cupcake they’ve ever had—but doesn't ever mention their partner, it could create a need for a deeper conversation." Before you feel justified about grilling your partner — as satisfactory as that may feel — take a second to breathe.

Bray would prefer you work to understand "why they don't post, rather than assuming your partner is keep you a secret." If you discover the latter to be true, follow your instincts and let that person go because you don't deserve that!

Do you think it's healthier for couples to keep certain aspects of their relationship private?

Everyone has a different view of what makes a romantic relationship healthy, so this is one of those things Bray says, "absolutely depends on the couple" because some "genuinely enjoy sharing their lives online." You've probably seen your share of couples who make cute content together whether they're married or not. I'd be lying if I said I don't specifically keep up with a few whose content makes me smile.

But, other couples may not be interested in sharing their relationship online because they "want to be private and keep the relationship free from the judgements or opinions of others," according to Bray. That's not to say they have something to hide, though. Instead, think of it as a personal preference.

"As long as both partners are on the same page and it’s not a source of tension, it’s all about finding the balance that works for them. If it starts to feel like a performance for likes rather than genuine connection, though, that’s where it can become problematic," Bray reminds.

How can someone bring up their partner's posting habits without sounding accusatory?

You may feel eager about posting about your partner while they're less enthusiastic and this could make you feel upset. It's easy to jump to conclusions when you're already upset, but Bray feels "tone is everything." Ironically, she suggests something I've heard in therapy sessions and that's "to be curious, not confrontational." Hopefully this stopped you in your tracks if you were ready to give your partner a piece of your mind.

"You can say something like, 'Hey, I’ve noticed we haven’t shared much about each other on social media? What’s your take on sharing stuff about us online?' It’s important to frame it as a mutual exploration of rather than a demand for a public declaration," Bray points out.

What would you tell someone who wants to emulate couples who consistently post content together?

We've all seen couples who we think have the cutest relationship, even though we've never met them before. As much as you may admire a couple, Bray thinks it's a "slipper slope" if you want to try to recreate their online moments. "I’d encourage someone to focus more on what makes their own relationship feel fulfilling, rather than chasing #couplesgoals," she encourages.

However, this isn't a sign that you're not supposed to ever share anything about your partner or relationship! "If posting together feels fun and real, go for it! But if it starts feeling like a performance or that you are in competition with other couples, it's probably good to take a step back," she warns.

Also, keep in mind that social media doesn't show you every single moment of couples' lives so don't worry about trying to look picture perfect based on a 30 second to 30 minute video.

1996 — Kate and Leo meet on the set of Titanic.

We all know and love the friends-to-lovers trope, but Winslet and DiCaprio are the poster children for the lovers-to-friends trope. The actors met while playing love interests in Titanic. Although their onscreen relationship has never come to fruition offscreen, Winslet says the pair immediately clicked as friends.

“He was just very free with himself, and he had this effervescent energy that was really magnetic,” she said in a 2023 Titanic re-release featurette. “And I remember thinking, 'Oh, this is gonna be fun. We're definitely gonna get along.' And we just really did. We just really did.”

1998 — They walk the red carpet together at the Golden Globes.

If you Google “young Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet,” there’s a 99 percent chance the first pictures will be from this red carpet, mostly because Winslet’s look is sooo ’90s. In an interview with ET, DiCaprio says they absolutely came together, but clarifies that they’re “good buddies.”

2008 — They join forces on screen again.

The first movie Winslet and DiCaprio did together post-Titanic was Revolutionary Road, where they play another couple who doesn’t work out because one of them dies by the end of the movie (quite a specific niche to fall into, no?). Unlike Jack and Rose, their characters in Revolutionary Road have a tense relationship, which Winslet said made working on the film “an immensely emotionally challenging experience” for both of them.

“There’s just a trust factor there. We both know that we have the best intentions for each other, but we also know that we can push each other’s limits,” DiCaprio said in an interview for the film. “There’s probably no other actress out there that I would feel as comfortable attacking, and I know she can give every bit of it right back to me.”

2009 — Kate shouts Leo out in her Golden Globes acceptance speech.

Winslet won a Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Motion Picture — Drama for her role in Revolutionary Road. She gave a heartfelt speech that included some very kind words for her costar and best friend.

“Leo, I’m so happy I can stand here and tell you how much I love you and how much I’ve loved you for 13 years. Your performance in this film is nothing short of spectacular. I love you with all my heart, I really do,” Winslet said. DiCaprio blew her multiple kisses as she spoke. Feel free to join in the audience’s aww-ing; this moment is just too sweet.

2012 — Leo walks Kate down the aisle.

A source told Us Weekly that DiCaprio walked Winslet down the aisle at her wedding to Ned Rocknroll (whose real name is Edward Abel Smith, in case you were worried) in December 2012.

2016 — Kate Winslet cries at Leonardo DiCaprio’s Oscar speech.

When Leo finally won his first Oscar in 2016 for The Revenant, the camera cut to Kate tearing up and clasping her hands in front of her face during his speech. She was also spotted giving him a quick, friendly kiss on the cheek during a commercial break.

2017 — They have dinner in Saint-Tropez.

Pictures blew up over the internet of DiCaprio and Winslet “vacationing” together in Saint-Tropez, but Winslet later revealed that they were there on business. “Leo did his annual fundraiser for the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation. He and I went together and we auctioned off dinner with Jack and Rose and actually raised $1.35 million. It was extraordinary,” she told E!.

2021 — They reunite for the first time since the pandemic hit.

Winslet revealed that she cried the first time she saw DiCaprio after the pandemic began. “I’ve known him for half my life! It’s not as if I’ve found myself in New York or he’s been in London and there’s been a chance to have dinner or grab a coffee and a catch up,” she told The Guardian. “We haven’t been able to leave our countries. Like so many friendships globally, we’ve missed each other.”

2023 — Winslet reflects on her friendship with DiCaprio on Titanic’s re-release featurette.

Kate Winslet revealed that when she and Leonardo DiCaprio call each other, they pick up the phone right away. “There’s no like, ‘Hang on, I’ll call you tomorrow.’ It's instant,” she told ET Online. Think about that next time your bestie gives you an impromptu ring.

The actress also got a bit more sentimental about her long-standing friendship with Leo. “You know, if you think about it, in the world that we live in now, to have friendships that bind you, and that shared history, it’s really something,” she said.

One thing’s for sure: if the Titanic had actually gone down in 1997, Kate would have definitely made room for Leo on that dang door.

November 4, 2024 — Kate Winslet Praises Leonardo DiCaprio and Revolutionary Road

In an interview with Vanity Fair, Kate Winslet recalls just how difficult it was bringing Revolutionary Road to life. The story follows Frank and April Wheeler as they struggle with both the cracks in their marriage and their 1950s suburban reality.

"The thing that people say is, 'You got to work with Leo again.' Then they go off on the whole Leo tangent, which I totally understand," she says. "But Revolutionary Road — f—king hell, it just knocked us all sideways. Unbelievably difficult material. I was very proud of that film and what Leo and I were able to create as Frank and April. It was so brutal."

November 19, 2024 — Leonardo DiCaprio Supports Kate Winslet's Lee

Leo made a special screening of Kate Winslet's Lee even more special by showing up to support her! The two were photographed hugging in front of the poster and it's truly the push I needed to get through the week :').