The Last Normal Photo Challenge Goes Viral on Twitter

Users online flooded Twitter with pictures on Saturday morning with the hashtag ‘last normal photo,’ a challenge quickly becoming the top trending term on the social media website. The “last normal photo” challenge asked people to post the last picture they took before coronavirus cause the world to shut down.

The rules, set forward by BBC News on May 16, were very simple. They asked users online to share pictures from before we had to come to terms with the global shut down and practice social distancing. The news outlet stated, “We asked you for the last ‘normal’ photo you had on your phone, and hundreds of you replied. You can tag your own photos online using the hashtag #lastnormalphoto.”

Within a few hours, those hundreds of replies turned into thousands and continued to exponentially keep growing. People couldn’t help but feel nostalgic looking at the last photo they took when the world was “normal,” when they could freely leave their homes without wearing a mask to visit family, dine out at a restaurant, or head to the beach with a group of friends.

Some posts were deeply emotional, a snapshot of the saddest realities of life while living during a global pandemic. One user online tweeted a photo with a newborn child, “I guess #lastnormalphoto would be this one. March 6. [The] first and only time I’ve been able to hold him. He’d only been out of NICU for 2 days. He’s now 11 lbs.”

I guess #lastnormalphoto would be this one. March 6. First and only time I’ve been able to hold him. He’d only been out of NICU for 2 days. He’s now 11lbs. pic.twitter.com/4FVSjfG3a7

— JayIsPainting (@JayIsPainting) May 16, 2020

One of my last normal photos, my 86 year old Dad with his Great Granddaughter 🥰 they haven’t seen each other for 9 weeks 😢 #lastnormalphoto pic.twitter.com/4eACUK35Fl

— kr (@19spin) May 16, 2020

Students who’ve been out of school for months and were unable to celebrate graduation shared photos of “normal” times with friends.

Attended a yoongi cupsleeve event🥺 A few weeks after it was just school but these were my last ‘normal’ photos #lastnormalphoto pic.twitter.com/TXfNXjz6pj

— ✰ Phoebe ⁷☁️𖧵 nsfr (@lvlyyoongi) May 16, 2020

My law school squad enjoying lunch for our friend Ryan’s Bday!!! Check out the lack of SD!! 😭😭 miss them so much xx #lastnormalphoto pic.twitter.com/cyb5YG4yEJ

— Sharri Moko (@Lilymaescloset) May 16, 2020

A few users online were able to possibly start guessing as to when they might’ve contracted COVID-19.

Saw the #lastnormalphoto trending so thought I’d have a look. Mine was me in a ballpit on a night out…me getting coronavirus is now slightly less of a mystery 🤣 pic.twitter.com/sCKICFzMoO

— Emma-Jayne Reekie (@Reekie2) May 16, 2020

Hundreds of pictures were of life’s simple pleasures: going to the beach, feeling the sun in your face, or impromptu gatherings with friends.

#lastnormalphoto beach vibes at Marina del Ray pic.twitter.com/4ZUQ72xgCn

— ☀️ Josephine Okujeni ☀️ (@josephineokujen) May 16, 2020

My #lastnormalphoto – first rays of spring in Swansea bay and much gloomier Rhosili the next day. Impromptu trip to see friends that I found hard to justify at the time but so very glad I did. pic.twitter.com/i976ZY4h3h

— Naomi Turner (@Naomi_Turner) May 16, 2020

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