Most of us would like to believe that we are not self-absorbed. However, let’s be honest, high school brings out narcissism in everyone. We’re constantly asking ourselves if we look okay, wondering if that zit is noticeable or if lunch is stuck between our teeth.
But the worst narcissism can be seen through social media. Somehow, our generation has created the concept that your peers need to know exactly what you’re doing every second of the day.
Some may argue that posting constant status updates is a form of expression, but tell me, what could someone possibly be expressing with, “Can we just talk about how nifty avocados are?” (yes, that query was actually on my Facebook news feed), because if there is a profound meaning lying within that inanity, it’s lost on me.
Instead, it reveals our generation’s desperate and insatiable need for attention. We reject self-reflective, solitary pursuits like journal writing, labeling them old fashioned because we don’t know how to be alone with our thoughts. Can you honestly say that all 400 of your Facebook friends need their news feeds riddled with your every thought?
Social networking provides the ultimate narcissistic outlet. How many selfies do you scroll through on your Instagram feed? Our peers post pictures of themselves daily, even hourly, and they usually look the same: the girls showcase puckered lips, slightly downcast eyes and that artfully messy, “I just woke up” hair, while the guys often display their muscles and shirtless six packs.
And for many, it’s a full-time job. Students walk around school and stop in hallways to take just one more selfie. Admittedly, taking selfies can be hard to resist, especially when you’re feeling confident, but resist we must. It’s one thing to take selfies in the privacy of your own home, but it’s another to stop, hold your phone in the air to get the “right angle” and block my way in the process.
I’m not sure when we developed this fascination with ourselves. Maybe our parents made us believe we’re the center of the universe, or the media and reality TV corrupted us or maybe it’s the unintentional offshoot of technology that makes us think we need to share selfies with peers and strangers.
There are those who say that selfies show self-confidence and are harmless. However, I’m reminded of Narcissus from Greek mythology. Upon seeing his reflection in water, Narcissus became so fixated, he could not abandon his reflection, and as a result, he died. Without moderation, we too, will find ourselves the victims of our own reflections, always worried about the superficial until we forget about the world around us.
Fancy filters and artistic angles might reassure us that we “look really good today!” but let’s pause and stop taking those selfies for a moment. Instead of smiling at yourself, smile at someone else. Make eye contact, exchange hi’s and don’t worry so much about your appearance; you look fine. Don’t become a victim of your own reflection.