You ever had someone take a portrait type photo of you and everyone that sees it says something like, “That’s a really good photo of you!” and you hate it times 1001? Well, welcome to my world…
While in Disney last month, we stood in line to have photos taken in front of the castle. The photographer energetically posed us and took several photos very quickly. I stepped back for him to take a couple of just Ben and Coco and as soon as he finished, dude turns around and snaps the quickest candid photo in the history of the world.
I can’t tell you how much I hate it. When I look at that photo, I see wrinkles and flat hair from the heat, and even peach fuzz on my cheek. And did I mention the shadow makes it looks like I could very well be growing a horn out the side of my head??
It’s called confirmation bias. It’s the psychological bias that makes you hate you.
Basically, it means you look for evidence to support your own beliefs. It’s a fact I’m getting older, so when I see a photo of myself those wrinkles suck my eyes right in.
But you know what? I was hot and did nothing with my hair that day, but I was at freaking Disney. I was happy and smiling even though my teeth are crooked. I have wrinkles but don’t look (or behave) as old as a whole bunch of people younger than me. Heck… there are a ton of people that are already dead younger than me. Compared to some my age, I look okey-dokey.
Next time you see a photo of yourself and before you say, “WTF happened to me — look at my (insert what you don’t like here),” just stop. Nobody else cares and you are you. I am me and I’m ok with that… wrinkles and all. (For the record, I’ll never be ok with a horn protrusion.)
TIL (Today I Learned): Mattel makes a bald Barbie doll named Ella to give (free of charge) to kids with cancer. It comes with wigs and other accessories.
As an aside, I had a Barbie in the 60’s that had 3 wigs. Ken liked her as a redhead best. 🙂