(Photo: courtesy of Pixabay)
Careful! Don’t be flaunting all you got, dancing on the bar of some hip saloon. Someone might be watching you–and snapping a pic for their social medial wall. But what do tons of photos of yourself mean to others? What if you don’t have any of yourself?
With cameras on practically every cell phone, computer, and tablet, people are snapping pics like crazy these days, and many of them are of themselves. There seems to be two camps of thought on this. Some people allude to selfies as a means of exploring and loving yourself, while others suggest taking tons of selfies show a more sinister side to the human psyche: Addiction, and worse yet, Narcissim. But the worst of the worst, mental illness! Of course, addictions and narcissism fall under the categories of mental health diagnoses.
Some observations have been that selfie obsession, the urge to get that “perfect” selfie has led to depression and sometimes suicide. Many people, on the other hand, simply want to update their friends on what’s going on in their day or show off how they look in a new outfit. Others say it makes them feel good about themselves. For me, if you’re a good friend of mine, or I have a personal connection to you in some way, I might not mind seeing a good photo every now and then. I’ll even look through your photos just to get an idea of what you’re like and what interests you have.
Do I believe all people who take selfies are mentally ill? I’ll say this, people who stay clear of selfies also can be mentally ill. As for me, I’m not sticking my toe into the mentally ill camp, but I personally believe people who are obsessed with selfies fall into the category of loving themselves perhaps way too much. That’s my observation, and I’m sticking with it. I mean, why the need to snap pictures of yourself all the time and post for everyone to see? I still can’t fathom that.
And what’s really interesting is how people become angry and offended when questioned about it. Truthfully, taking photos of yourself is not illegal, and yes, you are more than entitled to do so. But I find it odd someone would become outraged and offended when someone calls them on taking selfies. Why? Did someone’s nasty comment hit a chord? Does the bear with it’s foot in the trap holler the loudest? Or is it really that it’s no one’s business how many photos you take of yourself? My take on it: It’s really no one’s concern. My request, however, is that you don’t force me to look at your cell phone so you can show me pics. The rest, I can simply avoid by not looking at your photos page or posts on social media.
Want to take a pic of you and your boyfriend on vacation? Sure! Most people do that. Want to take a photo of you and your BFF on a girls only trip to Vegas? Go for it! But remember, “What Happens In Vegas Stays In Vegas,” until you post that pic on social media.
What are your thoughts on selfies? Why do you take them? Do you think you take too many sometimes? Not enough? Too many self pics show a darker side of human nature? Is it all in fun, or is nobody’s business?
