Latest news with #selfimage
Daily Mail
12 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
I'm not ashamed of reading troll paradise Tattle. It exposes grifting influencers and their hypocrisy... I'll be bereft if it shuts down: CLAUDIA CONNELL
The email was brief and to the point. 'Has anyone ever told you that you've got a face like the Churchill dog?' asked the author, contacting me after I'd written about losing weight. Then there was the time, after revealing my online dating adventures, that a charming gent wrote a letter to tell me 'You look like an overstuffed sofa, no wonder you're single.'
Daily Mail
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Expert reveals the phone lock screen which could mean that you're a self-absorbed 'narcissist'
Choosing what to use as the background of your phone lock screen is a small decision - but it could say a lot about you. Take US President Donald Trump, for example, who was lambasted last week for adorning his phone screen with a photograph of none other than himself. Social media users spotted a golden opportunity to mock the president after the reveal when he alighted Air Force One last month. It clearly showed an image of the POTUS himself from July 2019, pointing straight at the camera - or at himself whenever he looks at it. Critics said it was evidence of Trump's 'narcissistic' personality, branding him as 'self-absorbed'. But what does yours say about the persona you project to the outside world? While they aren't necessarily accurate depictions of the device owner's personality, it's safe to say that, for most people, wallpapers serve as great place for snaps of loved ones, cherished pets, or anything that could put a positive spin on the day. Holly Beedon, Clinical Lead from Living Well UK, told Femail that it can offer a 'subtle but revealing window into how we see ourselves, what we value, and where our attention naturally drifts'. What we choose for our phone lock screen can sometimes reflect certain traits of our personality or life stage that we are in, says expert Holly Beedon. Stock image used 'While there's no definitive psychological diagnosis to be made from a single image, patterns and preferences can hint at our emotional priorities and unconscious self-messaging,' she continued. If you, like Trump, have a selfie of yourself as your phone lock screen, you may be seen as 'somewhat self-centred', she continued - adding that, 'in some cases, this is true'. 'This kind of imagery could be tied to narcissistic traits – specifically the desire to admire one's own image, or curate a specific identity.' However, she caveats that 'it's not always that simple'. 'Some people use a flattering photo of themselves during a period when they felt confident, motivated, or empowered – this almost serves a visual pep talk to oneself,' she added. There are other, more practical reasons for why someone might choose a photo of themselves for their phone lock screen. Doing so can make it easier to return a lost phone to its rightful owner, for example. Holly continued: 'So, while self-image can certainly play a role, the intention behind the choice to make yourself your own lock screen matters just as much.' Meanwhile, picking a photo of a partner to look at whenever your phone lights up 'often reflects emotional closeness and romantic focus', she explained. 'It can signal that the relationship is central to that person's life or that they find comfort and motivation in seeing their significant other daily. For some, it's a private way of reinforcing connection and intimacy in a busy or stressful life.' This could be the reason behind Kylie Jenner's phone screen, which she revealed in 2023 had a snap of boyfriend Timothee Chalamet leaning in to kiss her cheek. Some people choose to use photos of their family members, such as children or parents, and this usually represents 'strong emotional bonds and values rooted in caregiving, tradition, or identity'. Mike Tindall demonstrated this in 2019 when he revealed an adorable family photo featuring his wife Zara Tindall and their daughter Mia, who was five at the time, on his phone screen while he was away in Japan. Parents with multiple children tread in dangerous waters, though, if they display just one child on their lock screen. It doesn't necessarily mean that the child who lights up the screen is their 'favourite', but that could be how others might perceive it, Holly warned. 'It might simply be the most recent photo taken, or one that captures a particularly proud moment,' she remarked. 'Still, if this is a consistent pattern, it could suggest a closer bond with one child, or that they identify more strongly with that particular relationship.' Having a photo of friends on a lock screen can often indicate that the device owner is someone who 'thrives on social connection and values their chosen relationships deeply'. How you come to the decision of who takes pride of place on your phone screen can be a surprisingly emotional decision, and having friends there could reflect 'a stage of life where friendships are the primary support system'. As Britons become ever more pet-obsessed - with figures showing an estimated 60 per cent of UK households owning at least one pet - it's no surprise that our furry friends are a popular lock screen choice. Having them on your phone can represent a strong emotional attachment, and could also mean your pet is a source of daily comfort. 'Pets often bring a calming or joyful energy to someone's day,' Holly continued. 'And having them on a lock screen can reflect that soothing or stabilising role.' People and pets aside, some phone owners prefer to have images of nature or scenery, which might suggest a need for calm, inspiration, or escapism, the expert added. 'People who use these photos may value mindfulness, solitude, or feel most themselves when outdoors,' she explained. 'Sometimes, these photos serve as visual reminders to slow down or to mentally return to a peaceful place during the stress of daily life.' Others yet have photos of seemingly random objects - but Holly says these are 'rarely random at all' and usually represent something meaningful to the person whose phone it is. It could be anything from 'a goal, an aesthetic, a private joke, or a vision board of sorts'. Some people may even use their phone lock screen as a means of visualisation or manifestation, using it as 'daily cues to focus the mind and align behaviours with a goal'. Finally, there's the phone owners who simply have a blank screen - although these people are increasingly few and far between. If you do come across someone who has nothing at all on their phone background, it could be because they prefer minimalism, privacy, or to avoid distractions as much as possible. 'A blank lock screen might reflect a desire for digital simplicity, or a subtle resistance to the emotional pull of personal photos,' Holly suggested. 'For others, it's simply a way to protect mental space - deliberately not engaging with their phone on an emotional level. 'Ultimately, a lock screen isn't a psychological blueprint, you can't know somebody through such a small detail - but it can be a telling snapshot of what someone wants to see – how they want to feel - or be reminded of - multiple times a day.'
Times
13-06-2025
- General
- Times
Short-man syndrome? At 5'7 I am the expert
I can reach the plates on the top shelf in the kitchen. I can, honestly. But I don't look good when I do it. There's a tippy-toe, whole-body stretch that's very hard to make look cool or traditionally masculine. When people come over for dinner I usually make a defensive joke about it. This, if anything, draws attention to the stretch and turns it into a sort of circus act as I grasp the china with my fingertips. I'm still not completely comfortable with my height. Being short is always partially falling short of a manly ideal. I've been short — 5ft 7in — for about 50 years (the first 11 years of my existence don't count) and along the way life has informed me of my status. Phrases such as 'tall, dark and handsome', 'imposing figure' and 'short arse' placed me in a height hierarchy. I don't wake up every morning and shake my fist at my genetic inheritance but I'd rather be taller. I'm not proud of that but if I could take a pill and wake up at least 6ft, I would.
Daily Mail
11-06-2025
- Lifestyle
- Daily Mail
Why stopping HRT has changed my life in the most radical way possible. I know it runs counter to all medical advice... but if you're taking it, hear me out: SARAH VINE
All my life I cared what people thought of me. As a teenager I cared that my feet were too big to be a ballerina and that I wasn't blonde like all the pretty girls. I cared that all the other kids had the right kind of Superga trainers and Benetton sweaters, whereas I had normal plimsolls and chain store jumpers.
The National
06-06-2025
- Health
- The National
How I regrew my confidence after losing my hair
I didn't realise how much my identity was tied to my hair until it started falling out. What began as a few extra strands on my brush became something I couldn't ignore by the end of 2024. I knew, logically, that hair reflects the body's stress with a delay, but that didn't make it any easier to watch mine thin day by day. I felt sad, ashamed and quietly panicked. Growing up Syrian, thick hair was a kind of cultural inheritance – something women were proud of. My mother had hair that turned heads: long dark and impossibly full. I spent years trying to emulate that look. My hair is naturally pin-straight and fine, so I curled it, blow-dried it, layered it … I never left the house without doing something to it. Clean, flat hair? That was for staying home. So when the shedding began, it felt like something deeper than aesthetics was falling away. It wasn't just about losing hair. It was about losing a piece of how I saw myself and how I thought the world saw me. Looking back, it makes sense. I was working intensely, seeing no one and consumed with fixing how I looked rather than how I felt. I lost weight rapidly, withdrew from my partner and friends, and obsessed over controlling my body. I'd been spiralling for months before my hair started falling out and the shedding felt like my body's final alarm. Hair loss isn't just a cosmetic problem. It chips away at your mental health. It adds another layer of anxiety to your reflection. Every time I brushed my hair or stepped into the shower, I felt like I was failing. But this wasn't about vanity, it was about visibility. I was struggling quietly and my hair was the first thing to say that out loud. Of course, it wasn't just the stress and weight loss that caused it. The water didn't help. What I didn't realise until it started falling out was that fixing my hair wasn't about products. It was about rebuilding the way I lived. So around the same time that I noticed the worst of the shedding, I began to make real changes – not to my beauty routine, but to my mental health. I started saying yes again to coffee with friends, to visits with family, to quiet days with no agenda. I stopped avoiding food and started repairing my relationship with it. I moved slower. I breathed more. No serum will ever replace that shift, and I say that as someone who loves a good product. That said, some things did help. I tried the usual suspects – hair loss shampoos, scalp drops and all the shiny solutions with big claims. Most of them disappointed me. But hair oiling, a ritual my mother swore by, grounded me. It didn't just nourish my scalp, it reminded me to slow down and care for something gently. The biggest physical change, though, came when I swapped my shower head for a filtered one. A few friends recommended it, and I learnt that the founder, Karlee, had created the brand after experiencing the same issues when she moved to the GCC. That felt personal. For the first time, I felt like someone understood what unfiltered water in some cities can do to your hair and skin. Within days, my hair was less frizzy. Within weeks, I wasn't pulling strands out by the handful. That shift gave me momentum. I added a spoonful of collagen to my daily routine. I took my supplements every morning. I made sure I was getting more iron and protein. I also let go of some harmful myths: not washing your hair every day will save it, and skipping conditioner prevents shedding. Clean, hydrated hair is healthier. It took time, about three or four months, before I saw real change. Even now, I have moments of doubt. I still want thick, long hair. I still consider if I should get extensions. I still have stubborn days. But I also have something I didn't have before: perspective. On the days when my hair doesn't co-operate, I slick it back and move on. I've realised that healing doesn't just show up in new hair growth, it shows up in how you talk to yourself when things aren't perfect. It shows up in being kinder to your body, in eating without guilt, in being able to leave the house without checking every angle. If you're struggling with hair loss, here's what I want to say: it's not superficial to care; it's not silly to grieve it; and it's not hopeless. Hair grows back slowly – but confidence grows back too. Be patient with both.
