As we age and mature, we seem to grow in certain areas while other parts of us slip away.  Playfulness is one of the aspects that we seem to lose sight of in adulthood.  Due to the pressures we face in the "real world" we take a lot of things too seriously and don't make enough time to relax, go on "off" mode, and just have some fun without caring what others think.  This selfie (which was taken in the middle of a pretty busy Urban Outfiters may I mind you) captures the playful essence many of us have forgotten.

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Aside from it being depressing to not cut loose enough, a life without playfulness can become straight up depressing.  When the pressures of school and work add up and we don't take a moment to give ourselves a fun break, our mental health can deteriorate.  As a community assistant who works with college students, I see the negative effects of all work no play on college students every day.  Rather than only praising students and workers on hard work and performance, I believe other aspects of their character such as playfulness are also important and should be celebrated and welcomed in all spaces.

In this sense, I believe my selfie and its celebratory nature contradict the article by Lauren Modery that claims by liking selfies instead of experiences, "we encourage narcissism". If someone likes a selfie where the subject is smiling, is playful, or gives off a silly vibe, I don't believe a "like" encourages their narcissism.  Rather, it encourages them to continue to be the attributes they express in the picture.  When I posted this selfie on Instagram and got likes, I felt good because people liked it DESPITE the fact it wasn't my most flattering picture.  They liked me for me- being silly and having a good time.  Their like celebrated that.