Until the last couple years, the word "selfie" was nonexistent. Sure, people have taken pictures of themselves as long as there have been cameras, but the selfie has become one of the most defining aspects of our culture today. Although many people consider taking and posting selfies to social media may be vain, there are tons of benefits.
Remember when you were little and your parents took tons of pictures of you? It seemed like you were doing simple things like finger painting or even the first time you went to the bathroom on the toilet (Mom, I never want this picture to surface on the internet. Please.) Pictures are meant to capture memories, how we felt during that time, and who we spent it with. Selfies don't just have to be alone, they can be with other people. So when you're scrolling down your Instagram feed, annoyed with that one group of friends that are constantly posting selfies together, try it with your group instead. Pictures last a lifetime, and I know I'm grateful for the thousands me and my friends have taken.
Today we focus heavily on self image. We are a vain society, many decisions are based solely off of looks. It puts pressure on both men and women to look a certain way, causing them to be self conscious. In a world where looks are so important, isn't it important to love your body for what it is?
Whether you believe in posting selfies or not, chances are you've felt pretty damn hot one day and took one. At first, the picture looked good to you. But the more we look at them, we start to notice imperfections on ourselves such as our teeth being crooked or our eyebrows being uneven. These tiny little "flaws" are ones other people probably don't even notice. Unfortunately, we'll always be our biggest critics.
But when you post a selfie on social media, chances are you'll get a compliment or two. Now don't get me wrong, I'm not saying we should all be begging for compliments. But when we do get them, it definitely is a nice surprise. People may point out good parts of you that you may have never noticed. It's all about empowering each other.
Selfies may seem like a silly subject, but with such a prominent role in our self-image heavy culture, we might as well feel good about ourselves. So filter that picture if that's what makes you feel good, take ridiculous selfies with your friends on the beach, compliment and empower other people and embrace your self(ie).
I took this selfie a few years back after a fashion show, still with my hair done & makeup on. I felt beautiful. Looking back, I still consider this as one of my best photos. Sure, I got a few compliments and a lot of likes on it. However, this picture doesn't highlight my true features. My hair isn't naturally this perfectly curled, and obviously my natural face isn't showing much. On pictures where I don't have too much makeup on or my hair done, I don't feel as good. But when I get compliments like "your smile is beautiful" and "I'd kill for your eyes!" I know they're honest. Some may call it a little "attention seeking" but I see selfies as a positive way of seeing the great parts of you that you might not be able to notice on your own.
