Selfie!
(The Other Side)
This is my first profile picture on Facebook. There is a story behind it which I will share with you…
For a long time I didn’t have a profile picture at all but eventually I was persuaded to post one, it wasn’t easy.
No, I do not have a deformity.
No, I am not cross eyed.
No, I don’t have pimples or facial hair.
and No! I am not toothless either…
But for so long, I had been told :
‘You’re repulsive,
‘You’re worthless,
‘You’re useless,
‘Pathetic,
‘UGLY…’
I believed it — every jibe, every insult, every stinging, painful blow to my confidence in the way I looked.
Despite the fact that I was a talented, accomplished and successful woman,
I believed him!
Deep down even though I knew it wasn’t true and that I was a good person, I felt so ugly that I hated taking photos of myself…
The healing was slow. I had always been a happy, positive person with the exception of that one area of my life — my marriage.
It took a long, long time to stop feeling ‘ugly’, but the sun slowly began to push its way through, casting its healing light deep within and eventually I could smile at the mirror again. Eventually I was ready to post my first Facebook profile picture, but it had to be on my terms. I still wasn’t quite ready to ‘face’ putting myself out there for all the world to see. So I didn’t post my face. Instead, I posted a photo of my hair. My beautiful golden hair, my crowning glory. This was all I was prepared to post.
But it was a start and an important step in the healing process. Did I take this step alone? No. Not by a long shot. My friends accompanied and supported me along the way, reminding me of the incredible power of friendship and caring.
In fact, many of these friends that I have never met, have been a constant reminder of the power of being connected, of laughter, joy and basic human kindness. They helped me to rebuild my confidence in the way I looked.
Social media is a powerful tool — it can transform lives, it can bring hope and restore your faith in humanity… and yourself.
In the words of the old Virginia Slims ad,
“You’ve come a long way, baby…
… but just don’t ask me for a selfie!”
(As told to me In her Own Words by an Anonymous Friend whose generosity, carefree and lighthearted spirit is a joy & inspiration every day)
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