Psyche of Selfies: Who, What, Why

I AM SO GLAD THAT I SHARED THAT SELFIE.

Said no one ever.

So then why do we do it??

Why, in our moments of vain weakness, do we succumb to the preteen within ourselves? Why do we insist upon snapping our reflections, awkwardly extending our arms, or just clicking the little 'reverse cam' button on our iPhones in order to publicize our current physical state?

Well, believe it or not, there's actually quite a bit of pontification going on out there on the interwebzz about the "selfie culture".

In fact, apparently, the 3rd most commonly used hashtag is "#me".

[the first is #love, though, so ... +1 for mankind]

so obviously this habit is anything but obscure.

Understandably, the most common explanation applied to these self portraits is "narcissism",

but I feel like there's something more.

I'm so embarrassingly guilty of these offenses, so my optimism might be solely selfish, but oftentimes I don't feel as if our selfie intentions are driven by narcissism alone.

Sometimes, I think it's more about connection that it is about vanity. 
I mean, my Snapchats (sign up for it guys, do it) consist of instantly-deleting selfies of the most unflattering sort.
But they're still selfies. 

So why do I feel compelled to share photos of myself? 
Even when they're blackmail-worthy?

Is it like a visual, nonverbal conversation?
Will texting (d?)evolve into selfies of facial expressions?
Will words lose their power?

Anyone?
 I certainly think that factors other than narcissism (often including, but not limited to, narcissism) are involved.

So here are some of my favorite selfie circumstances.

1.) The "Proof of Participation" selfie

I came, I saw, I selfied.

Also known as : Nature is ruined forever selfie.

"Pics or it didn't happen"

It's like name-dropping,

but for places.

2.) The "Lonely Fitting Room Fix" selfie

You know that moment when you spin in a circle and pretend to have a conversation with yourself in the fitting room, just to see how the clothes look when you do?

Sooo much cooler when you #selfie that shizz

Also, IRL, people get really annoyed when you try on the 2 different things 80 times and keep asking "but which onnneeeeee????"

3.) The "Style Sister Support"/"Nobody-Cares-About-My-Purchases-Except-Maybe-the-5-People-On-Instagram" selfie

Sometimes, your sistas on the cell are more helpful with your personal style choices than your real-life acquaintences.

Also, 

my mom will literally murder me if she finds out I bought one more pair of shoes.

Literally.

(except not literally)

4. The "Anti-Selfie" Selfie

I'm sOoOo comfortable w/ my own natural hideousness

So I'm sort of a feminist. Right?

5. The "Faux Anti-Selfie" Selfie

I'm "so ugly"

but actually pretty

Don't even have to try.

6. The "I Have Flesh Friends" selfie.

Because sometimes we all have to prove that we have friends outside of the internet.

7. The "Fashion Bloggers Eat Too" Selfie.

This is admittedly more effective when you're living a glamorous lifestyle

than when you're eating a raw pepper.

8.  The "The Bathroom Is The Only Place Where I Can Take A Picture Of Myself With A Cellphone Without it Being Socially Unacceptable and Weird Even Though it Totally Still Is In Every Way" selfie

celebs r just lyk us!!

9. The "I'm Too Busy to Pause and Acknowledge That I'm Taking a Selfie of Myself" selfie. 

source

10. And finally....

The plain ol' Narcissistic selfie. 

source

Because there's no way I can deny it exists. 

Sooo, 
The Selfie: 

Self-indulgent bad habit or modern day mode of self expression?

Cheers.