“Selfies” have become a staple for millennial culture, no doubt. But can we really determine whether they are harmful or beneficial to an age of insecurities and boastfulness? I am not to say. What I can attest for is that it’s okay to be “feelin’ yoself” from time to time. And, it’s also okay to document those days because it’s shameless to feel confident enough to get lost in your own appearance, and, because yes, you are beautiful.
Many people bash “selfiers” for being overly conceited or too encouraged by physical appearance. These factors may still apply, but it’s important to understand that it’s not your life to judge in the first place. I, myself, am not an avid “selfier” but, yes, I have had my fair share of, one, being in them and two, being around people who take them. I am also a part of the millennial age of so-called, “individualization.” People now, more than ever, are focusing on the growth of themselves. Younger people are getting married at an older age; they are sticking to “working on themselves” and finding a career through their family and friends, rather than a significant other. So, it is no surprise there is an increase in Generation Z being invested in themselves. And, with their investment comes confidence to be themselves, by themselves. For me, I feel that does not necessarily prescribe them as “narcissistic” as many would say.
In fact, a college study at Middle Tennessee State University showed that the most selfies at the university taken by, both, male and female students were to help boost self-confidence of the student. And, out of the students that had posted selfies, all of them had the highest rates of self-confidence. In short, the more selfies taken, the higher self- confidence was.
Of course there is a caveat to this selfie madness. Although people had more self-confidence when they were taking pictures of themselves, there is no denying that these cluttered camera rolls could just be a yearning for the acceptance of others to like what they look like. And, in turn, this would ultimately provide the notion that people selfie to compare themselves to others. Which is, in my opinion, villainous when you are trying to achieve some good ol’ self-love.
But really, how can young girls and boys not be taught to like themselves by the comparison of others? How can we blame “selfiers” for wanting to compare themselves to others to make themselves feel beautiful when it is a part of our natural discourse. This learned system of beauty comparison is something that is not due to the uprising effects of selfies as much as it has to deal with the fact that, both, boys and girls are taught to feel good upon the approval of someone else.
So, The take away? If selfies are your thang—do it. Don’t let anyone undermine the way you rep your self-love. That love is not theirs to give to you, it is only yours to indulge. And, hey, if you want other’s to see that? That’s your choice to indulge in that, too. So flaunt what you got and may you never apologize for taking your beautiful self in.
