Zero Likes, Real Meaning: How Missy’s New Year Meal Proves Tradition Still Matters

In today’s digital world, silence often feels like failure. A post without likes, reposts, or replies is quickly judged as irrelevant. But sometimes, the quietest posts carry the deepest meaning.

On January 2, 2026, Missy, an artist known on X as @Missysartbook, replied to her own New Year greeting with a simple line:
“Brisket, black eyed peas, cornbread & brussels sprouts in place of cabbage.”

Brisket, black eyed peas, cornbread & brussels sprouts in place of cabbage.

— Missy (@Missysartbook) January 2, 2026

No hashtags. No explanation. No attempt to go viral.

As of the latest count, the post had zero likes, zero reposts, zero replies, and only four views. By algorithmic standards, it failed. By human standards, it quietly succeeded.

Context: More Than Just a Plate of Food

Missy is not an influencer chasing attention. Her profile describes her as an artist, openly acknowledging personal realities such as Asperger’s syndrome, Bipolar disorder, Dyslexia, Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD), and Strabismus. She has been married since 2006 and shares her life with authenticity rather than performance.

Her New Year’s meal connects to a centuries-old Southern United States tradition, commonly practiced in regions like Georgia, Texas, and the Carolinas.

Each item on the plate carries symbolism:

• Black-eyed peas represent luck and coins.
• Cornbread symbolizes gold and prosperity.
• Cabbage or greens stand for paper money—here replaced with Brussels sprouts, a thoughtful adaptation.
• Brisket, often substituted for pork, represents nourishment and moving forward.

This tradition, shaped by African, European, and Native American influences, is about starting the year with hope, not hype.

The Negative Angle: When Meaning Loses to Metrics

The uncomfortable truth is this: if Missy had posted the same image with a celebrity tag or trending hashtag, it would likely have traveled far. Instead, it stayed invisible.

This exposes a growing problem on social platforms—algorithms reward noise, not nuance. Personal rituals, cultural memory, and quiet resilience are buried under viral outrage and manufactured trends.

A post rooted in history and emotional honesty struggled for visibility, while shallow content thrives daily.

The Strong Solution: Redefining What “Value” Means Online

Missy’s post unintentionally offers a solution: stop measuring worth through numbers alone.

Real value lies in:

• Preserving tradition
• Sharing without performance pressure
• Adapting rituals to personal realities
• Finding meaning even when no one is watching

The lack of engagement does not erase the story. It strengthens it.

Opinion: This Is What Social Media Was Meant For

Social platforms were originally built to share life—not to audition for approval. Missy’s post feels like a reminder from an earlier internet era, where sharing did not require validation.

Her Brussels sprouts replacing cabbage are not a break from tradition; they are proof that traditions survive by adapting.

Future Expectations: Quiet Content Will Matter Again

As digital fatigue grows, audiences are slowly craving sincerity over spectacle. Posts like Missy’s may not trend today, but they represent the future of meaningful online expression.

The next phase of social media will not belong only to creators who shout the loudest—but to those who share honestly.

Because in the end, a meaningful life does not need likes to be real.