Somebody should have warned me. Apparently everyone else seemed to know… but I didn’t.
We recently enjoyed a family holiday at a tourist hotspot – unknown to us, a spot renowned for what I have unoriginally labelled “selfish” selfies.
It was a battleground of tripods, sticks and hair flicks.
I awkwardly laughed as I muscled in for my own glimpse of an iconic monument.
While I have seen it before – bright sparks climbing over barriers or up tall structures for the best view – let me say, they were amateurs compared to the quasi-fashion shoots we witnessed.
It was a sheer obsession to capture the perfect shot: outfit, hair, make-up, pose and expression. Social media vanity to the extreme.
Uncomfortable to watch. Why? Because there was a disparity between people’s behaviour before and after the shot.
When the camera was lowered, the transformation was stark – enthusiasm drained and postures slouched. Seeing it unfold so vividly among people of all ages – little kids and older couples – was pronounced.
As a professional communicator, it gave me pause to reflect. This phenomenon isn’t new, okay. Social media has long encouraged us to present more polished versions of ourselves, agreed.
But while our role often involves crafting narratives, building brands and connecting with audiences, we must tread carefully.
The allure of polished appearances, whether for individuals or organisations, can be tempting but when authenticity is sacrificed, it leads to distrust and disengagement.
It’s encouraged me to reconsider over-curated appearances and remind myself to lead with authenticity (even if we don’t like how our hair looks as demonstrated above) and embrace imperfection.