Denise and I recently took a selfie with our friends at the Oscars…
Now that just about everyone and their dog has a cell phone with a camera, it seems that we’ve become a nation of people who take pics of themselves – selfies – hell, even the President has taken a selfie or two.
Come to find out that selfies are a bit controversial…
If you’re the President, I guess that you’re supposed to be serious all the time and have no desire to document the awesome people and moments in your life. I would beg to differ. Who better to capture a few selfies to memorialize some life experiences that just about nobody else in the world will ever experience?
As for the rest of us, it’s controversial as well…
Apparently some people think that selfies are a little bit vain. Or a lot vain. Self aggrandizement.
Denise and I feel differently. We think they’re fun. What the hell…why not take a selfie? Especially if you can find a good angle of yourself and not look distorted on your iPhone! More power to you!
My 20-year-old daughter, Zoë, thinks that selfies “are a way of showing that you’re comfortable in the skin you’re in.” I’d have to agree. Because most people who aren’t comfortable with themselves don’t like to be in photos, self-directed or taken by others. This is not to say that those who aren’t fond of selfies aren’t comfortable with themselves. More that they have a different take on the subject.
Selfies have spawned books filled with pics, as well as more than one article debating the artistic merit of the selfie as an art form.
Some of the most amazing people are avid selfie takers…like blogger Andrea Scher and Ellen Degeneres (see above). Then there are the heads of state, the Pope, hell, even an astronaut. And of course we can’t forget Sasha and Malia.
Of course, as with everything, moderation is key. Just like we don’t want to hear about every crossfit workout or see every dish you ever cook, we don’t need our newsfeeds peppered with gazillions of pics of any one person. But in my estimation, an occasional selfie is just fine, and often quite fun.
Just like every other topic that pertains to your life, whether important or trivial, it’s important to make your own choices and do what makes you happy, so long as it doesn’t infringe on the rights of others. Aside from irritating people with your Facebook feed full of selfies, who really cares about such things? Life is too short to spend our time irritated with the alleged vanities of the selfie taker. (Plus one can always use the ever-popular “unfriend” or “hide” options.)
Time to get OK with yourself and get comfortable with seeing yourself in photos. I’m sure you’re quite adorable. So show a little selfie love!
In fact, in the comments, why not share a link to a selfie? We want to get to know you and put a face to the name!
Say cheese!