Smile. Click. “Ew!”

Take a minute to ask yourself why you just finished the process of taking a selfie with an “Ew,” followed by the Mr. Yuck face. Now you’re going to go to Instagram’s filter and highlight bar to fix that beautifully unique face of yours, but why?

Why must we strip our credit for being our own natural people? The dictionary definition of "self” reads: (n) a person’s essential being that distinguishes them from others. We are taking the “self” out of “selfie.”

First, let “S” stand for successful. Success means many different things to many different people. If we all had the same goals, life would be a never ending competition over the same old same old. Maybe we all have in common that we want to grow to have a steady life and family, but I like spaceships and you like fashion. Just because you post a picture with America’s next top model, or I post a picture with my new model rocket, doesn’t mean that either of us has any higher chance at meeting a goal down the line. Different people don’t have identical ideas of success, so when getting ready to post remember that you will accomplish things involving you. Nobody else affects you, for it’s all mental.

Second, let “E” stand for empathetic. Empathy is when you put yourself in someone else’s shoes. One of the most vital parts of being an independent person is having the ability to feel what other’s may be feeling. Don’t get this confused with actually turning to feel the same way was them or even do the same things; however, be aware of a person’s uniqueness. So while maintaining the status of being yourself, be mindful and respectful of others and their selves as well. Especially when it comes to social media, there are plenty of hypercritical comments put out there. Before going along with the crowd to post something rude or negative, think about how it would feel if the tables were turned. Also everyone can step into each other’s shoes when it comes to being insecure in the filter stage of a selfie. If we all get over the nerves of what other people will think as an internet group, then nobody will have the right to feel lesser.

The next letter, “L” stands for loyal. To be self- sufficient and self-confident, you have to be loyal to your true colors. Now this can be taken literally and physically. I dare you to post one selfie without changing the colors to black and white or using editing apps. This way, we are accentuating our natural beauty. Be you and be proud of it because you are the only one capable of it.

Lastly, letter “F” stands for free. Yes, America is a free country, yet sometimes social media feels like a trap. Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, and Snapchat can be the reasons we feel so poorly of ourselves. Everyone has a vision of what they should look like in comparison to other people when selfies are launched or sent. Freedom is a beautiful description that brings out everyone’s individual self. Instead of feeling threatened or trapped by the negative ways we see ourselves after taking picture, let’s use social media to enhance what we have that sets apart from the rest. There may be a little amount of likes, no comments, or no one at all may reply, but that doesn’t mean anything.

Post a selfie. We can all be successful, empathetic, loyal, and free!