Truthiness in self-portraiting

The moment I wake up
Before I put on my makeup
I say a little prayer for meeeeee...

(Is in need of many prayers. And a facial.)

Welcome to what I look like when I wake up in the morning. No make-up, no comb through my hair yet... hell, I haven't even brushed my teeth. This is what 37 year old motherhood looks like. Try to keep your breakfast down.

I post this for two reasons. One, I think we're all very good at glossing over and covering up, and let's face it, that's kind of lame and cowardly. We all promote our best head-shots, our most flattering angles, and stuff under the rug the reality of what we REALLY look like without tweaking and all manner of artificial support. I'm no different, of course: I edit and select all of the images I post here, and am loathe to publish photos that make me look less-than-attractive(-ish). But I'm not a head-shot, and my life most certainly isn't lived in soft lighting, and truth be told I rarely (okay, almost never) wear makeup. This is pretty much who I am. Internet, meet my everyday reality, in all its haggard ingloriousness.

And two, I'd like to meet YOU in your stripped-down, unvarnished loveliness, as well. So I've created a handy-dandy flickr group called Self-Portrait Truthiness, and I invite each of you to post one or more photos there of yourself as "the real you." Interpret that as you will, bearing in mind that honesty and keeping-it-real is the goal. The truth will set us free... or at least be entertaining for a few days. snort.

So let's do this thing! I double dog dare you. Yeah, I said it. Whatcha gonna do, punk?

Comments

[Michelle]

What am I going to do? I'm going to pretend your dare never happened and attempt to move your attention to the fact that your layout's gone completely wonky since you moved to typepad. (In IE, anyway, and I've got the latest version.)

:P

(Although I shall join your pool of Truthiness and give your dare consideration, if only as a means of delaying the act of getting ready for work.)

[sweetney]

michelle -- uhh, this is why you should use firefox!

looking into what might be wrong in IE...

[Katie Kat]

But DAH-ling, you look great. Would that I looked like that in the a.m. I really don't think I'm brave enough to post a photo, but maybe (if my hubby isn't looking). Smoochies!

P.S. I agree with Michelle, the top 6" of the page are just white space with ads, you have to page WAYYYYYYYY down to find the yummy goodness that is Sweetney blogging!

[sweetney]

umm...layout is all bettah nao in IE? yes? no?

sorry, people. i had no idea about the f-ed-up-ness. IE is SO 1998. snort.

[Cindy]

Your skin is so clear and beautiful! Am jealous.

[imstell]

So jealous of the lips... And your hair doesn't stick out at odd angles like a newly love-struck pair of pack rats were setting up housekeeping for the first time... You don't want my truth. You couldn't HANDLE the truth! Ha!

[Michelle]

What are you talking about, haggard? So your hair is messy. You appear to have a naturally awesome complexion, and therefore I am jealous and hate you.

But I really don't. Just jealous. And you look quite good for your age, I think.

[Heather B.]

You look really good and I kind of hate you. Yeah, I said it.

Off to be all frizzy haired and makeup-less, per usual. Ta!

[Karen (miscmum)]

Hmm....tempting to take a shot of myself on my webcam first thing in the morning (taking 'live blogging' to the extreme!) but as It'd be 1st thing inthe morning here, that also means it'd be last thing in bed for you guys and I really don't want to give anyone bad dreams ;) ;)

[Her Bad Mother]

DUDE. You are the HAWT.

I am afeared of this challenge, for reallyz. But may have to do it, just because am MASOCHIST.

[Eden]

I didn't see this until after I was cleaned up today. Tomorrow, I'll show my version of 37 yr old motherhood. Thanks for the challenge ;)

[Kimberly]

Yeah, ummm, you look too good in that pic to be convincing people to join in. I'll see what I look like tomorrow and let you know if I'm up for the challenge.

[Kathy]

I'm not so brave either, and I just wrote about "pairing down" my makeup routine, which still includes quite a bit of paint. I'm checking out the group, though. Maybe I can summon the courage with some nice lighting.

[Kathy]

I take it back. I found a greasy hair + glasses picture courtesy of Apple's photo booth thing and boredom due to an iffy internet connection.

[Fake Jon Stewart]

If this is an attempt to thwart my stalking of you, it's not working :->

If that's you at your worst, then you're officially a hottie.

[Jozet at Halushki]

What, are you kidding me?

You are beautiful! Peaches and cream skin and are those hazel eyes? Girl, you could go rustic camping for a weekend with me and I wouldn't ask you once to drive to the nearest Red Roof Inn to take a shower and look in the mirror. That's how much I mean it.

[mod*mom]

show off!
i'm gorgeous too, so i can't show my picture online or i'll get stalkers :)

[BaltimoreGal]

Well I did it. I hope you're happy. More people have seen me without makeup now than total in my whole life.

[Kimberly]

Okay...woke up and took a picture this morning. just for you. It's absolutely AWFUL. I think you'll like it ;-)

[Miss Britt]

I might have just met a "keepin' it real" challenge I can't meet.

[Elizabeth]

Would like to have your hair color, complexion, and eyebrows. thanks. no WAY am I posting any "real" photos, unless you want me to make people cry.

[supertiff]

i'll add a photo when i wake up tomorrow.
p.s.
you must have an AWESOME haircut, or awesome hair, or both, if it looks like that when you wake up. sure, it's a bit bed-head...but still cute. i think you could totally go to the store or whatever with your hair like that.

[ozma]

But you look beautiful. Even with a slightly squinchy face.

I choose to believe that pictures do not capture my beauty! Hence, I shall never post pictures. I think there are three pictures of me where I look good and those are the pictures of the 'real me.' Truthiness be damned!

[Laurie]

I'm growing more and more fond of my "slovenly" picture. (Yeah, that's me.) Maybe I'll own the slovenly for awhile.

I love that I look like I'm laughing at myself in the shot. Because I totally am.

[motherbumper]

Damn, I want your hair. I never can back down from a dare. Good thing it's my morning off and not much has changed since the rolling out of bed.

[Kristi]

The morning is very kind to you.

[Carrie]

Ack! I have to say that I hate you just a little bit. Thank you for the invitation. I joined the group and thought it was a fabulous idea. The women who have posted pictures so far are beautiful. (although Sundry really does take the cake!) However, I must be the Most Varnished woman in the state of Texas. I have been trying for THREE days now to take the picture. I think I gave myself hives. I will do it though and I will learn to like it. I think this is a great thing you did!

[Swistle]

Fun idea! And "truthiness" is a good word: a lot of those unvarnished photos look PARTIALLY varnished!

[Karen Sugarpants]

Very brave and very beautiful. Maybe in the morning I will do this. Maybe.

[Girl con Queso]

I am obsessed with your haircut. Even first thing in the morning. That is all. As you were.

[Syko]

I think you look better without the makeup than you do with it. Younger.

[moosh in indy.]

37 year old motherhood looks good on you.
Really.
I hope 37 year old motherhood looks that good on me.
Off to flickr.

[Sarcastic Mom]

Love it! I'll take my "first thing in the morning" shot tomorrow.

Incidentally, I do a "real me" kind of thing every day. I have a flickr set called "Everyday Me" (after I saw another chick online doing this) which is basically just a photo of me, no expression, every day, with no primping for the camera. Check it out if you like:
The flickr set:http://www.flickr.com/photos/thelotuscarroll/sets/72157603809711727/
The page I publish them on: http://sarcasticmom.com/lotus/?page_id=4

[Izzy]

You have the prettiest, most unblotchiest skin. And where are the eyebags? SO not fair.

[Mutha Mae]

I've been following the women who have answered your dare. You all look too damn good first thing in the morning. You and I have similar bob haircuts. Yours lays down so nicely when you wake up. Mine? Those layers stick up in every direction. I'm a 37 year old mama, too. Power to the older mommies!! Note I didn't say old. Old-er.

[gwendomama]

i did it.

truth is, i look pretty much the same with my eyes closed as open.

[Kyla]

I have to say it, you look WAY better untouched than the slicked down painted version of yourself provided in your profile section.

[slackermommy]

I'm following all you brave ladies and you are all so beautiful sans makeup. Bravo to you all for doing this.

[MammaLoves]

Thanks for the inspiration.

And I think you look amazing.

[Ellen]

I think you look great, better than when you have makeup on. I think you look harsh with makeup.

[Karly Pitman/First Ourselves]

I absolutely love this idea. And I must second the comment: you are a stunningly beautiful woman. Without or with makeup.

I will join you and post my photo and also tell my blog readers about it at firstourselves.com. One of my focuses on my blog is helping women love and accept their bodies...this is a perfect exercise to let go of the fear that we aren't okay just as we are.

I love getting dressed up and putting on make-up and a good hair day as much as the next woman---heck, just getting dressed is a feat many days! But if I depend on the outer accrouments to feel pretty, to feel okay about my body, then I'm sending a message to myself that I'm only okay when I cover my supposed "flaws." And maybe sending a message to other women that they're only okay when they put their best foot forward.

There's nothing wrong with enjoying your beauty and letting it shine. But if it becomes a hook, a trap, a dependency, something necessary for our self worth, then it goes from something rewarding and joyful to something fearful: something to be controlled, covered up, and criticized. Our beauty becomes a prison, and we live in terrible fear of losing it.

My advice? Let yourself be beautiful. Enjoy it---your beauty and your femininity is a gift; meant to be used, just as you use your intelligence and kindness and other aptitudes. But don't depend on it. Because we are all so, so much more.

In sisterhood,
Karly

[Sarcastic Mom]

Mine's up, gorgeous!

http://sarcasticmom.com/?p=287

[Secret Agent Mama]

I'm here via Sarcastic Mom. I tried to do that "Everyday Me" that she's talking about, but truth be told, I just couldn't handle the angle and the expressionlessness of it. But, I do a Project 365 and have taken a shot of me, au natural, from a straight angle. I'm always up for a dare, yo!

Will be back. Your blog rocks!

[OHmommy]

I am here via Secret Agent Mama.

Wonderful blog. And wonderful post! You are beautiful!

[winomom]

I actually thought I'd come out of anonymity, physically, for this, but I'm such a moron, can't figure out how to get it up at Flikr!

[Karen MEG]

You look great, honestly!!!
At 5 years older than you, I usually look like I need about another couple nights sleep first thing in the morning.
You are so brave. I'm a mega wimp. Or I'd so be here with you and the other ladies.

[carrie-the gremlin wrangler]

Hi! I somehow stumbled on your post here and loved this idea!

I joined the flickr group and posted my blog post with my scary morning pic. Thought you'd like to know!

good work!

[Nat]

How I never found this blog before is beyond me.

What a great idea.

[Sonia Simone]

I would feel great if I looked like this first thing in the morning!

[pinks & blues girls]

You double dog dared... so we dared. Love this.

http://pinksandbluesgirls.wordpress.com/2008/03/20/we-might-regret-this/

[tracey]

count me in. i can't resist a self portrait challenge even if it's of the early morning type. i'm heading over to the flickr group and i swear i'll post something-just watch me.
xo
the other tracey
oh, and that shot of you rocks! the lighting is dreamy-or maybe sleepy is a better word.

[Lori]

Shoot, if I looked that good in the morning, I might take you up on it!

[Stimey]

I held up for as long as I could, but I finally decided that if I can't humiliate myself on the internet, where can I humiliate myself?

[Traceytreasure]

You look gorgeous! I think all the women who participated look gorgeous too! I'm so sick of all the fake Hollywood boobs, fish lips and now men are "flocking" hair on their heads. ?First they spray on glue and then the hair. Yuck! I'll probably be the last person in the world with a big nose but, hey, it works! I'm glad that I found your site! Thanks for the great post!

[Jen]

Hi there! I've never read your blog before, but I've seen others link to this project, and I was instantly intrigued, so here I am, in all my unvarnished glory:

http://onenjenifer.blogspot.com/2008/03/undone.html

Great idea for a viral blog challenge. I think like Neil's Great Interview Experiment, this challenge will go on for long while, as it's quite liberating to bare it all, if you will.

So, thanks!

[To Think Is To Create]

I wish I had that lighting. I finally got mine up!

[sizzle]

I joined in!
http://sizzlesays.wordpress.com/2008/03/24/bare/

[debra]

Ok, I joined this morning. Ya gots a true picture of what 55 looks like first thing. NOT terrible, but not pretty either.

And NO I will not blog this!

[Shalet Abraham]

I shuttled over here from Shutter Sisters. I will join your group and have the perfect unattractive photo to share. Normal people unite!

[Amanda]

Here via A Mommy Story. Posted my own self portrait.

[Lawyer Mama]

I'm going to have to try this.... If I can handle it!

[WhyMommy]

Dare accepted. If a bit late.

Who can find the camera at that hour of the morning, anyway? :-)

http://toddlerplanet.wordpress.com/2008/04/02/truthiness/

[Chookooloonks]

You know, I WOULD do this, but since I'm afraid any photograph of me first thing in the morning would throw any viewers into a frenzy, hysterically grabbing for the phone to call emergency, nine-one-one, dear-god-that-woman's-afro-is-eating-her-head, I thought I'd better not.

You're welcome.

K.