Selfie psychology
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SurfyPantsAgainAgain wrote: »_Maid_of_Mischief_ wrote: »I don't really mind selfies, I wouldn't take any in front of other people 🤣 it's kind of awkward. I don't really mind people posting them but let's face it... If I'm on Instagram for example and the person posts 5 selfies a day, I probably unfollowed them. Maybe some people are afraid that people forget what they look like? I don't know, it's a little annoying. Good for them for having the confidence though.
Yah this. There is such a thing as over selfying the self. People.
In saying this, I will probably post a selfie later.
This is SO gonna be a nude.1 -
I don't post selfies unless it's a selfie of me with my kids (or someone else). Or me doing something cool, like if I mastered a pull up I would totally take a video or picture and post that up on instagram. If you look through my instagram it's like 90% pictures of my kids. I feel really weird about posting selfies like it makes me seem pathetic and attention seeking. Like I need other people to see a picture of me and tell me I'm pretty. I feel embarrassed by that. Anytime I've taken a selfie because I thought I looked pretty or something, I'm always afraid my husband is going to look through my phone and then laugh at me for taking a selfie, so I delete them. Lol.
eta -- I do like having pictures of myself as proof that I looked good though. I feel like one day I'll be old and happy to look back on them. Like when I got all dressed up for a wedding I had my husband take pictures of me ha...2 -
I do once in awhile, it’s awkward when other people are around but sometimes I like the way I look and need to capture the moment0
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I used to hate the camera but one day I got over it and decided that I was going to try to look hawt. I'd take them on good and bad days. Bad days probably twice as many. Then I got photoshop and tried my best with that and a digital camera to look like someone famous, like the magazines. Then I got delusional and they didn't even look like me at all. I backed off of the photoshop and filters but still tried too hard. For what? Compliments. I was really drawn in to social media and how high could you get your numbers. I never actually found that out but by gawd did I try to be a internet thot.
I kind of force myself to now just to be participating with everyone else as a social effort as it's the thing to do. I don't want to completely disappear from the internet. I get embarrassed taking selfies in public but that doesn't stop me. I only judge other people a little bit. 😈 I do like the movement of people trying to take more true to life pictures because it does effect people.4 -
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This.0 -
Selfie culture isn't new. All the portraits hanging in galleries are just old fashioned selfies of people who could afford to pay artists to reproduce their likenesses. With the invention of photography, people who could afford it paid to have their photo portraits taken. Even prehistoric cave paintings are selfies. People have always depicted themselves however they could, because we generally like seeing ourselves. The difference now is that most of us can afford to make our own portraits. We don't have to rely on an artist or photographer anymore because we have the means to do it ourselves.5
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Fortunately for me, I possess neither the physical attributes or the mental confidence that is required to post selfies. That, along with my self-awareness and insecurities overshadow any attempt to selfie. I’ve always been better with words...1
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Before cell phone cameras were a thing I would take pictures with my digital camera, and my 35mm camera before that. I love looking back on pictures years later and remembering good times. I guess I usually take them when I'm feeling pretty. I dont do it for validation or anything. Strangely, my pictures here get a lot of woos.3
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I am not brave enough to post a face selfie here. For the most part, people in the selfie thread are kind and supportive (I thought the consensus here is that woos are positive? I try not to use it either way). I get lulled into thinking that maybe people would be that kind to me if I got the nerve up to post one. Then someone outside the thread - typically in one if the vague threads - starts bitching about filters, angles or postive comments that they don't think are justified and I get snapped back to reality... There is no way I am posting a picture of my face - filtered, angled or not.
To me, those that post selfies in any format or regularity on a web based forum are brave souls. It opens a very wide window of opportunity for criticism across a spectrum of topics.6 -
I am not brave enough to post a face selfie here. For the most part, people in the selfie thread are kind and supportive (I thought the consensus here is that woos are positive? I try not to use it either way). I get lulled into thinking that maybe people would be that kind to me if I got the nerve up to post one. Then someone outside the thread - typically in one if the vague threads - starts bitching about filters, angles or postive comments that they don't think are justified and I get snapped back to reality... There is no way I am posting a picture of my face - filtered, angled or not.
To me, those that post selfies in any format or regularity on a web based forum are brave souls. It opens a very wide window of opportunity for criticism across a spectrum of topics.
to most folks, i think woos are negative...but i mean, at least imo, they literally mean nothing man. its just code on a page and they have only the value which you care to assign to them. its the same for all of the reactions. don't get too tied up in those. seriously.
regarding adults who complain about another adult's selfie on the internet...imo again, i say don't let it bother you. just do what makes you happy. if it involves using a ton of filters so what? its not gonna hurt anybody and for every person you see "complain" about it, there's probably another person rolling their eyes at them in response.
it's just the internet and we're all vain in our own ways.
otherwise we wouldn't be on a fitness site to begin with.5 -
The selfie, a daily positive affirmation. After I workout and breathe, put myself together for the morning it’s a mirror moment, of self love. A reminder, when my eyes look sad to take more time for myself and put in more self work. I use it for self reflecting.
Validations can be nice, not necessarily by strangers. Validations by strangers, can be a confirmation, of where’s the love by those who claim to have love for you?
Do others selfies bother me, not one bit.5 -
Motorsheen wrote: »My handlers, P.R. head & security team lead have all advised me aginst posting selfies.
They all seem to be concerned about stalkers from the American Upper Midwest or the East Coast of Australia
Dis me
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I rarely take a selfie. Not sure what is says about me. I am confident in my looks so that's not the issue. I just don't see a need for it. If someone wants to see what I look like, sure, why not but other than that it seems needy to me, I guess.1
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If I get my hair done, and it's all smooth and shiny, I take a *kitten* tonne. I feel a bit awkward sitting in my car trying to get the 'right light and angle' but I just take my glasses off and I'm kinda in my own little world (I can't see you so you can't see me!). Then I shamelessly take several more when I get home. I probably like only like 1 out of every 15.
I randomly took a few in a row that I liked on the weekend, just one offs! No makeup, air dried hair...it was a good camera night! Wine was involved!
If I'm on vacation or in a town that I don't know anyone, I'll shamelessly take several out in public, on the streets, restaurants etc. Who cares? I justify it by wanting to 'capture myself in the scenery'!
Filters, yes and no. I do both. Sometimes I take a cute pic/video, but have a zit or my hair looks awful...but I realize it after the fact and still like the pic/video so I'll keep it. Some pics/videos you can't recreate the moment!
I have no shame touching up a zit from an otherwise ok-ish pic. I wear makeup to do the same sometimes.
I took a picture with a filter that distorted my face a little while ago and felt awful after. I look like a Kardashian in it (not bashing the K crew, just saying I look super glamorous and pretty in it in a kinda unrecognizable way)
After taking the pic, I started thinking maybe I need plastic surgery...if only my nose was tweaked, my cheekbones enhanced, my lips plumped, my eyebrows bolder...it kinda *kitten* me up mentally. I just kept thinking about what could be tweaked, still do when I think about it. It's captivating in an unhealthy way.
I deleted the app, kept the pics tho.6 -
I was very awkward about having my picture taken for a long time during young adulthood. I had taken some self portraits before, when I was doing portrait photography, but those were not meant to be pretty. After that I think the only selfies I got were when I changed my phone and wanted to test the camera, when somebody else took them or when I was really nicely dressed (like for going to an event). Oh, and I had some when I was testing my bridal makeup and dress - those too.
My selfie-ing got wind in its sails here. Here, it ALL went downhill quickly
I guess it helps with confidence. It's also like „hey, if they can, then I can, too”, and „nobody knows me here”. Mostly the latter. I profoundly dislike the same-face-same-angle selfie, so it's also an exercise in creativity. And in a nice way, it helps lift my spirits.3 -
I do not get selfie 'woo-ed'. I do not do selfies :-)0
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I do selfies. Or, I used to. Not so much now. I can’t really figure why. Most people know what I look like at this point.
Or not.2 -
I haven’t ever looked into a selfie or the reasoning behind it. To me it’s just a photograph you’ve had to take yourself .. any filters or edits just enhance it slightly3
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I find it weird when people post selfies of themselves on facebook and then you know they are waiting for the "omg you look so good, etc. etc. etc. I never respond to selfies on facebook because I know they just want validation and to me get validation from somewhere else please. Take a course, volunteer, do something good, etc.3
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I find it weird when people post selfies of themselves on facebook and then you know they are waiting for the "omg you look so good, etc. etc. etc. I never respond to selfies on facebook because I know they just want validation and to me get validation from somewhere else please. Take a course, volunteer, do something good, etc.
Honestly when people post a lot of different things on FB they want validation. Like if they've done a good deed and post about it. They are seeking attention too.6 -
Avocado_AS5 wrote: »I find it weird when people post selfies of themselves on facebook and then you know they are waiting for the "omg you look so good, etc. etc. etc. I never respond to selfies on facebook because I know they just want validation and to me get validation from somewhere else please. Take a course, volunteer, do something good, etc.
Honestly when people post a lot of different things on FB they want validation. Like if they've done a good deed and post about it. They are seeking attention too.
I just want to selfie while I’m volunteering at a homeless shelter and researching a cure for sars, is that as bad? I really like to double down on my validation6 -
Having not read any of the replies.....
Instant gratification, use to have to wait to see if it was a good picture now its boom, i dont like that one, delete, take a new one. Then add in all the filters and auto corrects......
People dont see the real them anymore, so to speak, its more about oh i like that pic, lemme send it out to the masses (text/snap/IG/etc)
then a person likes or comments, there fore reinforcing the behavior.1 -
It is funny to think about. yes I think posting a lot of selfies means that person is seeking attention and validation. And if there's someone who posts selfies all the time, I unfollow them because that's annoying AF. But I am also seeking attention and validation when I post anything. Every time I post something on instagram, a picture of my kids, my garden, whatever, I go back and check many times to see if anyone liked it. Why? I think instagram and facebook are bad for my mental health lol.1
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I agree its for validation, attention, or seeking approval. I used to hate selfies, or having my picture taken in general. Because even though people do it for validation, or attention they also don't want to be judged in a negative way. I realized that I was my own worst critic. When you take a picture of yourself, (or picture is taken of you) The first thing you look for is flaws, and that's all you see. That's all you focus on.
I started taking more pictures when I began working out. Posting them on fb in this "look at me, putting in work" kind of manner. I want people to see what i'm doing, I want people to be proud of it, I want them to see the progression, maybe even inspire people to do the same. I stopped posting them, and people asked if I stopped going, so a sense of accountability. I'm not just going to post "went to the gym today" But If you don't like selfies. Then you must not like when people share their mfp diaries, or when people post their weight loss. The list goes on, and on. It's all the same.
As far as the psychological aspect of it. Below is a good video. Its controversial, but makes sense. Start at 3:48
I don't see anything wrong with selfies, or attention/validation through social media in general. As long as not getting a good response, or not getting the attention you seek doesn't lead to self pity, or depression. That's when it becomes an issue. It's very common in the younger community.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=As8XkJNaHbs 2 -
I selfie because people ask me to2
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I never selfied until i joined here. I never fully bought into it, but did partake some. Less and less interested in doing it as the "newness" wore off.1
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CaptainFantastic01 wrote: »I selfie because people ask me to
*ASKS*I never selfied until i joined here. I never fully bought into it, but did partake some. Less and less interested in doing it as the "newness" wore off.
Umm.... *ASKS*0 -
SabAteNine wrote: »CaptainFantastic01 wrote: »I selfie because people ask me to
*ASKS*I never selfied until i joined here. I never fully bought into it, but did partake some. Less and less interested in doing it as the "newness" wore off.
Umm.... *ASKS*
Hey, you never open and look at at all my special private pics I send!0 -
SabAteNine wrote: »CaptainFantastic01 wrote: »I selfie because people ask me to
*ASKS*I never selfied until i joined here. I never fully bought into it, but did partake some. Less and less interested in doing it as the "newness" wore off.
Umm.... *ASKS*
Hey, you never open and look at at all my special private pics I send!
You mean there's special private pics lost in the dreaded PM limbo?!? FREAKING DAMN IT. I feel cheated.0 -
I selfie because there was a point in my life where I hated what I saw in the mirror. It has taken many years to learn self love. So when I selfie now, I do it because I feel good, in my eyes I look good and It's a reminder of how far I've come.
The luster of selfying on this site has lost its appeal to me so I don't do it as often anymore.3
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