There’s an ongoing debate about whether having yourself as your wallpaper is weird. Some people see it as a way to express themselves, while others think it reflects an unhealthy level of self-obsession.
I see both sides of the argument, but here are a few thoughts I would like to share, and I have broken them up into the following sub-headings;
- The positives and negatives of having yourself as your wallpaper
- How to make sure you’re not coming across as narcissistic or self-obsessed
- Alternatives to having yourself as your wallpaper
The Pros of Using Yourself as Your Wallpaper
While it may seem like you’re full of yourself, there are actually a few good reasons to use yourself as your wallpaper;
1. It’s a Great Way To Express Yourself And Your Personality
A lot of the people who use themselves as their wallpaper do so to express their personalities and show off what they look like.
They use it to make a statement about who they are, which can be quite empowering for them. Most people will load up a bunch of photos of themselves showing off different personality traits and moods.
While this may seem narcissistic, it’s usually just a medium for them to express themselves and show off their uniqueness.
2. A Way To Feel Connected With Yourself
Another common reason why people use themselves as their wallpaper is that it can be a way to feel connected with themselves.
By making yourself the focal point of your device, it’s almost like you’re reminding yourself of what you look like and who you are.
This is a common theme in personal development, especially when it comes to self-care and self-love.
It’s usually not perceived as unhealthy; in fact, some people find it to be quite empowering and can help give them an extra boost of confidence.
3. It’s A Great Way To Remind Yourself Of Your Goals
One of my favorite people to quote on this subject is Tony Robbins; he often talks about how visualization can be a powerful tool for achieving goals.
Having yourself as your wallpaper can be a great way to remind yourself of what you’re working towards and keep you in the right mindset to stay motivated and focused.
It’s also an opportunity to celebrate your successes and remind yourself of your progress.
One of my best friends has a picture of herself when she was about 250 lbs set as wallpaper on her phone and ipads—it reminds her how far she’s come in her health and fitness journey.
4. It’s A Fun Way To Change Up Your Look
Using yourself as your wallpaper can be a fun way to spice up the look of your device. It’s a great way to show off your style and switch up the visuals without having to purchase anything.
Plus, it always feels nice when you finally find something that looks good; it gives you a sense of accomplishment and pride.
5. It Can Be A Creative Way To Document Your Life
Using yourself as your wallpaper is also a great way to document your life. You can change the photos every few months or whenever you experience significant life changes (like a new job, relationship, or location).
It’s like a creative form of journaling that allows you to reflect on where you’ve been, where you are now, and what changes have taken place in between.
In most cases, people who have this as their reason for using themselves as wallpaper will also have others in their photos.
This gives them the opportunity to show off their relationships and the people around them, which can be a great way to honor their experiences.
The Cons Of Using Yourself As Your Wallpaper
On the other hand, there are some potential downsides to using yourself as your wallpaper;
1. It Could Be Seen As Narcissistic Or Self-Obsessed
As I’ve already mentioned, some people might consider having yourself as your wallpaper narcissistic.
It can sometimes be interpreted as a sign of self-obsession, and it may not give the best impression if you’re trying to make a good first impression with someone new.
This can be a deal breaker for some people, so it’s important to consider how others might perceive it if you’re in a situation where you need to impress someone.
2. It Could Become Too Monotonous
Another downside of using yourself as wallpaper is that it can become too monotonous if you don’t change the photos up frequently enough.
It’s important to switch things up every now and then to prevent yourself from getting bored with the same image and to keep it from becoming stale.
If this is your cup of tea, then the best way to do this is to take new pictures of yourself every couple of months or find other photos that you can use as wallpaper.
3. It Could Make You Feel Self-Conscious
While it could be empowering for some people, for others, it could make them feel self-conscious.
If you’re not comfortable with how you look in the photo or are generally insecure about your appearance, then having yourself as wallpaper may not be a good idea.
In this case, it’s probably better to find something less personal that makes you feel more comfortable.
For example, just as my friend looked at her picture from when she felt she was overweight, at one point, it was a huge demotivation as she felt she wasn’t working out hard enough.
She continued to be hard on herself until loved ones drew her attention to how far she had actually come.
How Not To Come Across As Narcissistic or Self-obsessed
If you’re fond of using yourself as your wallpaper, but you don’t want to come across as narcissistic or self-obsessed, there are a few ways to make sure this isn’t the case.
1. Keep It Lighthearted
Try not to take the photos too seriously. Have fun with them, and make sure you’re smiling or doing something silly in the picture to show that it’s all good fun.
Such photos do not necessarily make people think that you like yourself too much; rather, they show that you’re a fun-loving person.
2. Don’t Overdo It
Don’t make your wallpaper too extreme or over-the-top. A few photos of yourself here and there are fine but don’t go overboard with them.
A photo such as your birthday, work success, or a milestone you have achieved will be more appropriate.
3. Stick To Group Photos
If you want to use yourself as your wallpaper without coming across as narcissistic, consider using a group photo.
This way, you can show off your relationships and the people around you instead of just focusing on yourself.
As I mentioned, It’s a great way to honor your experiences without putting too much emphasis on yourself.
These can be photos from a party, a get-together, or even a regular day out with friends.
Alternatives To Having Yourself As Your Wallpaper
If you don’t feel comfortable with having yourself as your wallpaper, or if it’s not the right thing to do in a particular situation, there are plenty of alternatives.
1. Nature Scenes
Nature scenes can be calming and inspiring at the same time. They make for great wallpapers that bring a sense of tranquility. It can be a nature scene you took yourself or one from the internet.
2. Abstract Designs
If you’re looking for something visually appealing, abstract designs can also be great wallpapers. You can find plenty of free ones online or create your own with Photoshop or other editing software.
3. Quotes or Inspirational Messages
If you’re looking for something to motivate and inspire you, quotes or inspirational messages make great wallpapers too. Find a quote or message that resonates with you, and use it as your wallpaper.
4. Artwork
If you’re an art lover, why not turn your favorite artwork into your wallpaper? Whether it’s a painting or a photograph, you can find plenty of artwork online that you can use as your wallpaper.
5. Your Pets or Kids
This is my favorite thing to use as my wallpaper. Photos of your pets or your kids can be great sources of inspiration and motivation.
No matter what you choose as your wallpaper, make sure it’s something that resonates with you and makes you feel good every time you look at it.
That way, you’ll always have a positive reminder to keep working towards your goals and dreams.
6. A Meme
If you’re looking for something fun and lighthearted, why not use a meme as your wallpaper? They can be great sources of humor and entertainment.
7. A Character You Admire
If you’re a fan of a particular character, be it from books, TV shows, or movies, why not use their image as your wallpaper? It can serve as a great way to remind yourself of the values and principles they embody.
8. Your Better Half
If you’re in a relationship and want to show your love for one another, there’s nothing wrong with using a photo of the two of you as your wallpaper or their photo. This is a great way to show your commitment and dedication to each other.
