Be Your Best Selfie

It’s probably no surprise to anyone, but I'm totally not above taking mirror selfies when I'm feeling snazzy…or just plain happy.

I don't often post those selfies, as they're mostly for my own wellbeing and self-esteem. Embracing feel-good moments helps me keep my head up, maintain optimism, love life, find silver linings, and better cope with the complex, confusing, stressful, and otherwise not-so-good moments that humanity inevitably entails.

Even in hard situations—whether they be personal, communal, or global—staying positive and finding joy is what keeps me going. It takes intentional work, rooted in both embracing gratitude and embracing yourself instead of what someone else may want you to be. After all, I'm rounding out my 13th bonus year, and that simple fact keeps me living in gratitude every day that I still get to experience this crazy thing called life.

Life is what you make it; it's all about attitude triumphing over circumstance, as sometimes in the best circumstances we can be our worst selves. As I often tell my friends and clients, "You can't control anyone else's actions or reactions, but you indeed can control your own actions and reactions." So, learn to put your best self forward and not let the not-best-selves of others dull your shine.

For many years now, one selfie at a time, I've been giving myself permission to embrace my good parts and remind my fickle brain just how lucky and loved I am. Doing this also allows me to better see the good parts in others...and have more grace for parts in every human, myself included, that perhaps are not so good.

So, do yourself a favor next year: take some mirror selfies when you feel like you're ballin', then look back on them to bring hope and focus when life inevitably throws its curveballs, non-joyful people sling selfish jabs and judgements (often simply a projection of their own trauma), or your brain temporarily forgets just how wonderful you are. You don't have to share those selfies like I'm doing here (and, believe me, there are many more that aren’t being shared), but do keep them in your arsenal to draw from when you need a joy boost…because joy is essential.

Onward!

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Marty Johnson is the Communication and Vision Lead at AYM High Consultants, a columnist, and an editor, producing the mail and business center industry's leading magazine, MBC Today. In 2023, he sold his popular and growing brand, Uncle Marty’s Shipping Office (now rebranded simply to Uncle Marty’s) and retired from shopkeeper life to focus on writing and coaching. Subscribe to his Ask Uncle Marty™ newsletter and read more at askunclemarty.com; follow him on socials @askunclemarty.