Do You Like Yourself?
Many years ago when I was in my 20s, I was working at an advertising agency. I remember posting something on Instagram and then “liking” the post. Not even 10 minutes later, someone at our office came to my desk and said, “Wow, you liked your own post, who does that?! Don’t you think that’s a bit vain?”
I immediately felt embarrassed. I had apparently broken some sort of online social contract. I asked a few other co-workers if they ever “liked” or hearted their own posts, and everyone said they did not.
This experience left a big impact on me.
I actually went back and unliked several of my posts. I didn’t want to look selfish or self absorbed.
A few years ago, I decided to re-examine this belief that our content should only be liked by other people.
New Darius concluded that this concept is ridiculous and might even be harmful to our self confidence and sense of worth.
Today, my mission is to hit that like, heart, or thumbs up button before anyone else even has a chance.
I make it a fun ritual. I’ll post and rush to the page and hit the button and say something like, “Good job, D! No matter what happens from here, I’m proud of you.”
Maybe you do the same and have been hitting that like button for years, or maybe, the idea of doing so feels like an edge for you.
If you’re up for a challenge, open one of your own social media profiles, scroll back in time, and hit that like button on at least 10 posts. Let Past You know you love and support them. Or if you’re posting something new this week, see what it feels like to be the first in line to support and celebrate yourself.
Then, if you have the space, close your eyes and just feel what comes up for you. All feelings are welcome. There is no right or wrong way of doing this.
I wonder if other people feel how I felt back in my 20s. Is it embarrassing to like your own social media posts?
Or maybe YOU feel something totally different.
Big love,
D
PS: On a scale of 1-10, how willing are you to “like” your own posts? (10 = totally willing, 1 = totally unwilling). Let me know in the comments below or reply to this email if you received this in my weekly community letter, because I’m genuinely curious how other people feel about this.