I Pose Therefore I Am: An Autobiography in Selfies

For the full essay, see it on Vitamin W.
Originally published on November 27, 2013.

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Self-portrait taken by the writer in her high school photography class.

I feel like taking a selfie. I received two rejection emails – for an internship and a fellowship – within ten minutes. Well, onward and upward, I guess. So goes life. But something sneaks under the skin. It stings. And before I say screw this, I want to sit in the moment. I write in my journal. I drink a beer. I stew. I want sympathy. I’ve noticed my eyes are brighter green after a few tears. I hold up my beer and toast myself in the mirror. I’ll take and post a selfie. Maybe the friends who “like” the image will cheer me. Maybe it will soften the sting.