The Case for the Selfie
My dear friend Susan Eichhorn Young, a social media maven, posed an interesting question:
“Can you make a case for or against the selfie?”
Can we agree that the selfie is the modern self-portrait? It's giving people a window into your life… and has now evolved into video!
Duck lips. Smize. Open-mouth smile. Social media is rich with selfies, but some people say they're “not the kind of person to post selfies.”
In reality, you may “not be the kind of person to post selfies” based on your self-image.
There’s a psychological concept called “The Looking Glass Self” that says our self-image doesn’t come from who we really are, but rather from how we think others see us.
Source: Wikipedia
Social media has amplified the "looking glass self." Now, more than ever, our self-image is easily affected by others.
You can gain instant pride and confidence through a surge of "likes." Alternatively, you can instantly (and so incredibly falsely) feel that "no one likes me" if you're waiting too long for followers, likes or comments.
Releasing the need for approval is a larger issue than this blog—but it’s something I’d like to discuss and explore with you in the comments or a private call.
My case today is that selfies are not a bad thing! Despite serving vanity and ego for some, a selfie can be a great way to connect with hundreds and thousands of people in a real, emotional way. Your self-portrait, a.k.a. #selfie, has the potential to change someone's life. Seriously. You never know the impact of your words or intention.
Self-Image
The key is not to overuse the selfie. It can read as narcissism when used in redundancy, but they’re actually quite powerful. A Georgia Tech study found that photos with faces are 38% more likely to get likes and 32% more likely to get comments!
Use this to your advantage! If you have a message to share, use your FACE! Post a selfie or make a video to deliver the most important information.
Even prior to the pandemic, the whole idea is that we get to see you! Most people don’t get to see you every day… and it sparks joy to see your face!
Prompts & Examples
Where are you today?
What are you wearing?
