This morning I woke up and I checked my phone.

I do it every morning. It’s the first thing that I (and most people) do before getting out of bed.

We turn to social media for an update on the world. It’s like it is our daily newspaper; except we’re not reading about the economy or international affairs. We update ourselves on other people and what we assume their life really looks like.

Perfect smiles, trendy outfits, good lighting and styled hair. #wokeuplikethis. Right? #SelfieSunday

Our society has all too well accepted the face value of a selfie.

So here I am to show you (and tell you)…

Why I hate my selfie.

Reason #1

It won’t communicate my talents, wisdom, compassion, sense of humor, aspirations, generosity, intelligence, work ethic or loyalty.

Reason #2

It doesn’t show the world my personal struggles, life ambitions, anxiety, failures, mistakes or insecurities; a selfie actually masks all of that.

Reason #3

I did not wake up like this and (seriously) my room is never that clean.

But most importantly…

A selfie will never convey my true beauty.

Don’t get me wrong.

I understand that sometimes you have a good hair day, your skin is glowing or you get that winged eyeliner just right. For the sake of all things good, document those miracles.

But please heed my warning.

• Don’t compare your behind-the-scenes to someone else's highlights. They did not #WakeUpLikeThis (I promise) and we so often forget that.
• Know your worth before you step in front of that camera.
• Take selfies for yourself and not others.

Know who the real judge is so you can discern your own convictions.

Let me show you just how much selfies lie.

Makeup does not increase your worth.

Lighting does not decrease your value.

Style choice does not affect your splendor.

And beauty is not measured by the reflection of a camera.

All of those selfies were taken within an hour of each other, and they are all unedited.

Yeah I know, go ahead, scroll back through them.

It’s crazy how much a person can change the way they are perceived in a picture, right? That is why I am breaking the “selfie” rules hoping you will see what my camera hides.

My life can be messy, dark and unattractive, but my #SelfieSunday wouldn’t show that.

If you feel pressures of the false advertisement in our society like I do,

Choose a fair judge.

Someone who will give you the perfect lighting in life, show you the right angles, remove your blemishes, clean up your messes and reveal what true beauty looks like.

My judgment does not come from society or friends but someone who loves the unedited, poorly lit, bare-faced, behind-the-scenes version of me even when the world does not.

The beauty I am chasing after is not found in my appearance, and that is why I hate my selfie.