Selfie Challenge - what it meant to me
So . . . here I was. Feeling a little overwhelmed. I had just had my surgery - a lumpectomy for breast cancer - and I was looking at 7 weeks of radiation. Every day, Monday thru Friday. I thought that it would be no big deal. That it would be like going to a job. Except that it was the worst job. Ever.
Now don’t get me wrong, there are so many brave people going through so much worse than me. And my technicians were so nice and compassionate. But I’m still thinking, will I be able to stay positive and upbeat? I’m normally pretty happy-go-lucky. My mom says I got all the happy in the family while my dad sometimes thought I was a silly idiot. Either way, I like to smile. But still . . . I didn’t know what to expect.
Then I saw a Selfie Challenge posted on Steemit by @papa-pepper. I always thought that people that took constant selfies were vain and self-absorbed. But hmmmm, maybe it would be a distraction. I decided to enter. Stepped out of my comfort box. I was hoping it would get my mind off the fact that I was being deep fried from the inside out. And I was right! It certainly did! I would have never guessed in a million years that I would be taking and posting a selfie every day for 57 days!
So, yes, for 57 days I took a selfie doing a variety of crazy, self-deprecating stunts. For 57 days I anxiously waited for the next challenge and commented on other selfie-takers posts. I probably shared more of myself with these virtual strangers than I’ve shared with people that actually know me in the flesh and blood. For example, the majority of people that I know and/or do business with have no idea that I had cancer surgery. But I’ve shared it here because how can you not be comfortable with people who balance on one foot while playing with fire, or put their heads under water for a selfie shot?
I was fortunate enough to be one of the last 10 players and we all decided to split the winnings. I’m so happy that everyone was able to benefit from @papa-pepper’s generosity! Honestly the SBDs weren’t that important to me. I loved seeing all the posts, witnessing the cheerleading from the players that were eliminated and feeling the comraderie that this challenge created. It caused the distraction I was looking for!
Earlier today I messaged @papa-pepper thanking him for his generosity and for putting together this challenge. He said that this “distraction” paid off in the best possible way for everyone. He was so right! I feel especially blessed because I found a community of kind, truly goodhearted people. I can’t wait for the next challenge! Thank you all!!💜💜
It is written so nice and touching...
I feel the same as you.
I'm overwhelmed with gratitude to @papa-pepper and contestants...
I'm sad you were ill and had just had your cancer surgery. I would have not guessed it, you look so beautiful and healthy... And yes, you're positive and upbeat, and that is great!
And yes, those selfies every day for 57 days were amazing!
As you, I anxiously waited for the next challenge for those 57 days and shared more of myself, playing with our awesome group of people. As you, I can’t wait for the next challenge!
And yes, it's great that everyone was able to benefit from @papa-pepper’s generosity!
I had turned all of the SBD into STEEM POWER!
This your post is so wonderful.
Perhaps I'll try to write a similar one, although I do not have such excellent perfect English :-)
I wish you all the best)
Thank you so much for your kind words! You did so well with the contest - very steady! My favorite post was the one with all the children around your head. That was priceless!! Your English is very good. I was trying to guess what country you live in - is it Russia?
I'm Russian, but I live in the east of Ukraine, there are many Russians here and most speak Russian.
I think you will ask about the war. We did not have a war, but it is close, in a hundred kilometers, so we have many refugees.
I also tried to guess where you are from? I read all your posts, and I know about three your sons and the charming granddaughter.
You live not far from Florida, do not you? )
I live along the coast of New Jersey. Close to Atlantic City and an hour & a half away from Philadelphia. I’m not as close to Florida as I would like - it’s not that warm here unless it’s Summer. But the ocean is right up the street so I’m glad I’m by the water. Are you near any bodies of water? I’m very geographically challenged lol!
Oh, I like to be by the water.
Unfortunately, we aren't near any bodies of water.
But in the summer hot months I usually try to rent a room in Slavyansk, it's two hours away from my town.
There are several salty lakes and a wonderful pine and mixed forest.
And when you're swimming in the lake, the smell of the lake is mixed with the smell of heated pine needles, such an aroma!
I love this place :-)
I can’t wait for the next @papa-pepper challenge, so meanwhile I'm trying to participate in small one-day or week-long contests, for example, like you, in @dobartim contest. Your two smiles there - yours and happy doggy - are amazing :-)
I feel the same way! I’m trying to stay a bit active here while getting all my holiday projects done. I do stained glass ornaments for some family and friends and I’m trying to finish up a few that need to be shipped. I think I’ll do a blog about them later today. If I get them finished!! Do you celebrate Christmas?
You do stained glass ornaments, it's so interesting!
I'll wait for your blog about them :-)
Yes, we celebrate Christmas, of course!
This is our favorite holiday.
And besides we celebrate it twice :-),
December 25 and January 7.
And also we love to celebrate New Year!
Two Christmas holidays!! That’s awesome! I will probably start my stained glass blog later this week. I have some doctor appointments to get through first - ugh!
Wow! 57 selfies? I really wanted to try that challenge, but missed the first round. I never could have gone two months. It sure did help to create a lot of interesting pictures.
I never thought it would last so long! You should try the next challenge. It was super fun & I have many new friends!
I’ll try to give it a try. It was a funny little detail that stopped me from joining the first round this time. I was too busy to write my name and date on a piece of paper and include it in a selfie.
Maybe if I include my family in it, it would be easier. Then we could look at all the entries together. I find a hard part about keeping up with Steemit is needing the personal time to do it. In other words, time away from my kids and whatnot. If they could be involved, it might be easier.
Yes, I get that time is precious and it’s not always easy to find bits here and there to keep up with Steemit. The funny thing is that I’m just starting to do the blog thing and I hadn’t written one in a while. I had a few minutes so I decided to do a couple quick blogs. Good thing I did or I probably wouldn’t have had anything worthwhile for you to resteem!
Regarding the selfie challenge, my husband and neighbors wound up playing along so it was a lot of fun! And I didn’t feel like it took time away from my husband since he was helping me! I’ll be looking for you when he starts the next challenge!
You looked very strong and healthy in all the photos. I wish you the very best with your recovery and look forward to seeing you in the next challenge if you participate. I don't know if I have enough creativity left for season 2, haha
Thank you! And Lol! I was thinking the same thing, but I’m way too competitive to sit out! Plus the bonus of making new friends, like you, will sweeten the challenge for me! I hope all is well with you. Are you done traveling for a bit?
Yes, I am quite competitive too. I am back to Australia and won't be traveling overseas until mid next year :)