15 Of The Best Selfie-A-Day Posts That Will Change Your Mind About The Selfie Era

Not just known as the age of the selfie, but narcissism is usually slabbed along side to describe our generation. Sure, many selfies are banal, silly and very typical, where we often show off how good one’s hair looks, or how we’ve done leg day. But a theorist named Jerry Saltz (2014) wants us to see beyond these selfies to the ones that convey a message more intimate, finer and not normally discussed. These selfie-a-day projects do exactly that, revealing “something inner to the outside world in the most vivid way possible (Saltz, 2016).” A number of these messages here highlight issues that are often overlooked and certainly need more dialogue. While the rest communicate that these selfie projects are not about narcissism, but change, life, self expression, and journeys.

1. Justine McCabe – weight loss & depression – fearlessness against the fears of life

Instagram: @hairstargetsfit / Via greatist.com

As a way of dealing with her tragic husband’s suicide, Justine McCabe began binge eating, gaining 142kg. At the pit of her life, Justine realised she needed to really change her life around and began hitting the gym. To ensure her progression towards a better lifestyle, McCabe began to document her journey with daily selfies. Not only did she deal with her weight, McCabe also took on other challenges such as sky diving and cliff jumping. This journey gave her the confidence and motivation to not only realise that she had to continue surviving without her husband and mother, but to push her boundaries and limits to face her fear and live a life they would be proud of. #emporingselfie

2. Obese Mum to Fit Mum Thru Gym Selfies

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Diagnosed with obesity, this wife and mother of five, began to fight back to transform her body for her health and family. This incredible woman decided to take on a yearlong selfie project to remind herself where she came from and what she was working towards – to never give up. This weight loss journey reminds everyone that this transformation is a long but rewarding process that is achievable and serves as an inspiration to all.

3. "One photo a day in the worst year of my life" - Domestic Violence Awareness

youtube.com / Via aplus.com

Carrying a very serious and real message, this selfie a day project was initiated to raise awareness about domestic violence against women by a Serbian Ad Agency. These selfies feature a woman, whose face looks normal at first, but as time eventuates, bruises and black eyes begin to appear with the last selfie containing a sign reading, “Help me, I don’t know if I’ll be here tomorrow.” This eerie message reveals something true about this issue – that a third of women were murdered by their partners, according to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence. This selfie-a-day project hopes to communicate that domestic violence victims are not alone and that this issue can no longer be pushed aside, requiring immediate attention that has very real impacts on lives.

4. BeckieJBrown - Fight Against Trichotillomania

youtube.com / Via ijr.com

Suffering from Trichotillomania disorder, Rebecca Brown has been using selfies over a span of 7 years to overcome her disorder and record her transformation. In the process, viewers witness a growing confidence and tenacity that redefines beauty.

5. The Longest Way 1.0 - Christoph Rehage

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In one year he has walked more than 4,500 km over China. This video sees not just a story of new discoveries, friends and experiences, but also one of an unwavering determination to complete one of Rehage’s biggest goals. A journey completed solely on foot sets a reminder than humans continue to push boundaries everyday – and might I mention, he’s won quite a few film awards!

6. 12 Months, 12 Countries and 12 Tales

youtube.com / Via sparkspublishing.ca

On an endeavour to fulfil a life long dream, Daniel Baylis sacrificed his job to travel the world. Spending an entire year immersing himself in a variety of volunteer positions, Baylis’ focus was on gaining an enriching experience, as opposed to being a typical tourist. This selfie project shouts freedom from the shackles of a mundane job in the pursuit of reviving his own personal sense of humanity.

7. 416 days of Travelling

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This traveller embarked on a journey through Asia and New Zealand on a working holiday visa. Here we see a mixture of selfies and some short clips forming an entertaining montage.

8. 528 Days Around the World in 600 Selfies

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Guillaume Dubus writes in his description that this project depicts his change in physical appearance and mental state through a visual display of funny faces as well as smiles. This cheerful piece is guaranteed to make you smile and feel wanderlust!

9. Hugo Takes a Selfie | 8.5+ Years

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Hugo Cornellier undertakes an 8 year selfie project capturing a journey from boy to Man. These selfies are all about life and change, particularly the progression through adolescence.

10. My life in technicolour - expression through selfie and song

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A simple (not so simple) project to sing a song over a period of 5 years

11. Female to Male Transition- Jaime Raines

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An incredible journey is witnessed through his selfies as he pursues a transition from female to male! This project was initiated to track his facial changes and his happiness being in the right body. More of his story incorporating his selfie time-lapse is available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RYuipbRGu5s

12. High school through to graduation

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A progression through the toughest of years in adolescence is seen here, tackling puberty, peer pressure, academic pressure and social expectations. You can see the highlights and the struggles of this period through the expression of her face. Carilee Lessard also mentions that this project is particularly meaningful as witnessed the change in her physicality that did not just occur from puberty.

13. Infectious Smile

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A photo a day project that has one simple message – to make you smile – this video project isn’t one of vanity, but one to spread happiness.

14. Pregnant to Baby in 90 seconds

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While not your typical front on selfie, this soon to be mother took a photo everyday during her pregnancy til the birth of her new son. This project reveals change for both partners, preparation and the coming of new life.

15. Rae vs the Selfie – for the Selfie Cynics

Instagram: @raevstheselfie / Via lifehacker.com.au

Literally putting herself in the shoes of the people she once judged, Rae threw herself into a selfie project spanning one year, in an effort to understand the fad that is the selfie. Strictly sticking by her daily dairy of selfies, Rae was compelled to photograph her experience through some of life’s curveballs; the death of loved ones. Feeling extreme discomfort in taking what she calls ‘sympathy grabbing selfies’, Rae discovered the unwavering and constant support the online community could provide and the importance of sharing human experience. As a result she learnt that selfies were an important tool for self expression, confidence and for building an online community capable of understanding and treating individuals like real people. She summarises that “it’s a way of sharing genuine human experience with other humans in a digital world where the nuances of humanity is often lost.” And for that, I believe this is one of the strongest posts for my argument.