Self-Care Behind the Lens: Why Taking Photos of Yourself Matters
For World Mental Health Day 2024 which falls on October 10th, we wanted to look at self-care. When we think of self-care, images of bubble baths, yoga or maybe a good book often come to mind. But what about taking a selfie? Yes, you heard right – taking photos of yourself can be a form of self-care, especially for women and mothers.
Here’s why: According to a survey of 3600 women from motherhood community app Peanut, 72% of women feel invisible in the mothering role, and other studies show that while women, especially mums, are often the unofficial photographers of their families, they rarely appear in the photos themselves. This means that while family albums are packed with memories, the person behind the camera is often missing from those captured moments.
Why does this matter? It’s not just about vanity. When you look back at family memories, you deserve to see yourself there. Mothers in particular spend so much time caring for everyone else, that their presence in family moments goes unacknowledged, visually and emotionally. Over time, this absence can impact self-esteem and perpetuate a feeling of invisibility. Imagine flipping through years of photos and realizing you’re hardly in them, even though you were there for all the milestones.
The Impact of Being Behind the Camera (Too Much)
There’s something powerful about seeing yourself in your own life story. For women, especially mums, this lack of representation can subtly reinforce the idea that their role is to document the lives of others, rather than to be part of the story themselves. Over time, this can lead to feelings of being overlooked or undervalued – not just in photos, but in life.
On the flip side, including yourself in pictures can help boost confidence and self-worth. It’s a visual reminder that you matter, you’re present and you’re part of these cherished moments. You are part of the family’s journey too, and it’s important to remember that, especially during tough times.
What Can We Do?
So, how can we shift the narrative?
For women:
- Take that selfie! Even if it feels awkward at first, snapping a quick photo can be a moment of self-love and recognition.
- Make sure you’re in the family photos. Set a timer, ask someone else to hold the camera or embrace the art of the group selfie. Your future self will thank you for showing up.
For men:
- Snap photos of your spouse, partner, sister or friend with their families. Often, they’re so busy taking care of others that they don’t think to include themselves. You’ll likely surprise them with how much those pictures mean.
- Share these photos with them! It’s not just about having the image; it’s about being seen and celebrated by those closest to us.
At the end of the day, self-care can come in many forms, and sometimes, it’s as simple as being part of the picture. Let’s make sure we all show up in our memories, not just behind the lens, but in front of it too.
My Experience: Putting These Tips to the Test
So, what inspired me to write this post? Well, it all started with a simple request. The GBL Network asked me for a photo of myself in a social setting (but not in a bar). Sounds easy, right? Turns out, not so much. I scrolled through my photos and realized I only had a couple of options: one picture of me wearing an Easter hat my daughter made (the dressing gown look wasn’t really what I was after) and another of me in a lei – with a bar in the background. And… that was it.
I have an album dedicated to my 4.5-year-old that I regularly share with family. It’s bursting with 14.5K photos and videos, but when it came to photos of me, the count was shockingly low – just two photos from the past year, and I’d discounted both of them. I did have some selfies that I’d taken with just my daughter, but I noticed that I was very rarely in a group family photo since I was always the one taking them, and flicking through my camera reel and albums, I honestly felt a bit left out.
That photo request sparked a conversation with fellow GBL Network volunteers, and hence this post was born!
Over the last month, I’ve been consciously asking friends and family to take pictures of me, and I’ve also been taking more selfies. The results have been… surprisingly fun! Every day, I tackle the new school run, which involves trekking up and down some serious hills, and I’ve turned it into a little joke with my friends – sending them selfies of my glamorous, post-hill-climb look. We’ve shared a good laugh, and it’s actually made us more social because they’ve been sharing their photos too!
I even roped in my daughter to snap a few pictures of me on a bouncy castle at a recent kids’ party. Instead of feeling like I was just there to document the event for everyone else, I felt included, like I was part of the fun.
Your Turn!
I encourage you to give this a try – whether you’re snapping more selfies, asking someone to include you in group shots or taking pictures of the important people in your life. You might be surprised by how such a small change can make you or the people around you feel more connected, visible and part of the moment. It’s been a fun and uplifting experience for me, and it just might do the same for you.
So go ahead: Be part of the picture!