I’m addicted to taking selfies

It’s time to face up to it


“Let me take a selfie” – Me. Anytime. Anywhere.

I’m one of those Instagram models and Snapchat abusing selfie addicts. And I’m OK with that.

The front camera is my closest friend – it’s been there for me through the good and the bad, through sickness and health, seen me at my absolute prettiest and at times I questioned what happened the night before to make it look like eyeliner threw up on me. It’s been capturing my life’s moments I want to remember for the rest of my life since 2011.

Sure memories are great, but having something to actually look at when remembering a moment is even better. Especially when it’s an epic selfie.

An epic selfie (as defined by yours truly) is when you’ve nailed every single detail that goes into reaching that level of photo perfection. The recipe calls for great natural lighting, working your angles, the right level of skin showing, makeup on fleek, an appropriate facial expression and of course the right edit.

Epic selfies are the ones you post to Instagram in the hopes of getting a decent amount of likes from your loyal followers. There is also the possibility of sharing the photo to Facebook – but that depends on how much you want to be that girl.

I’ve learned it’s OK to be that girl. It’s OK to embrace your selfie – you worked hard for it.

Being addicted to selfies goes past the carefully selected pictures Instagram gets to see. Every day photos of your face capture your successes and struggles of every single moment of your life worth sharing. Thank God for Snapchat.

Why text someone how you feel or what you’re doing when you could send a selfie showing them?

Because people need to see this

I’ve had Snap stories go over 500 seconds long and I’m totally fine with that. I don’t call that unnecessary, I call that a day worth sharing.

Yes please tell me how you hated going through my super long story because I was looking for something else not to care about.

I know you watched them, I can see the view count.

Cheers

I’m the one on a squad night out with my phone glued to my hand, front camera at the ready to capture the events from the first drink and the dance moves you can’t unsee to the drunk food in the early hours of the morning.

Because everyone needs to know we sang along to Bieber at 3am.

If I didn’t take a selfie, did it really happen?

When people tell me I take too many selfies I give them the perfect response – a selfie of course (middle finger optional). My “fuck it” approach to life has taught me you shouldn’t feel bad for taking pretty pictures of your face when you’re feeling fabulous. And it’s probably going to be the same people that want to be featured in one of my selfies who tease me about them.

Yes of course you can be in my selfie, now let’s find where the best lighting is.

Perfect combination of pout and wind

Being tall has really contributed to my selfie game. It’s a blessing to have long enough arms to angle the camera to the ideal selfie degree. It’s handy for those shots where you want a bit of context in the background to aid your epic selfie, and I’ve become everyone’s go-to group selfie taker for my skills in fitting the whole crew in the frame.

I give you the crowd selfie

Hungover mornings are never fun unless you’re being pampered, or in my case uploading photos to Facebook. I’ve found my own cure to reassuring myself that second tequila shot and getting way too low on the dance floor was worth it – through showing the world my selfies.

“Eleni uploaded 37 photos to the album ‘Who cares’ with (enter names of everyone who I was out with here)” is a recurring event, along with comment worthy captions.

I have no shame in bombarding my Facebook friends with photos whether it was a mad night out or a walk in the park. And if you’ve ever been out with me, you’ve been tagged in at least one of my many photos.

You’re welcome.

Remember when we ate potato chips at 4am?

After years of denying to be known as the girl who takes too many selfies I’ve finally accepted that this is a part of my identity. Behind the teasing, friends and family know and love me for this unique skill and I will continue to make them proud.

Embrace your selfie. Be your selfie.