Lesson from 2023-Sharing Pictures Of People

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Halloo,

Is it a little too late to say HAPPY NEW YEAR? I mean, today is the 4th of January 2024.

Well, happy new year all the same. Let’s hope 2024 is a fruitful, happy, and very peaceful year for us.

I want to share one of the life lessons I learned in 2023 and hope you will find something useful in it. Please, don’t forget to let me know what you think in the comment section below. Thanks.

I am one of those people who loves taking pictures. I am comfortable both in front and behind the camera, I just love it. I have thousands of photos in my archive to prove this. I derive so much pleasure from it.

I also love to memorialize experiences with pictures, it is one of my happiest things to do. I look at some of these photos and videos years later and relive the moments. I also show others these pictures and videos to tell them about some events in my life. Like I said, I love pictures very much.

If a stranger approached me to help take a picture, they don’t just get a picture, I will give them pictures. I will take it from different angles and also ask them to give me different poses. That is how much I love photos.

Sharing pictures on social media is something I do. obviously, I can’t share all my photos. I take too many to share all without boring people. I like to share funny ones and ones that go with whatever I am talking about.

I do this freely and have no qualms when a friend shares a photo I took with them. In fact, I love it and feel honoured. I know for a fact that some people don’t like sharing their pictures and won’t appreciate people sharing their photos, I respect this and always avoid sharing pictures with other people in it without asking their permission, friends or not.

I learned recently that this is not enough. Most people will tell you, yes it is okay but in reality are not happy. Which is confusing for me. Why agree to something that you really don’t want? We are adults, and I think at this point in our lives we should be able to say No, especially if someone is asking your permission. I am definitely missing some social etiquette or rules about this one!

I took some funny pictures with someone at an event, these were really good pictures, and was itching to share them. I asked the person and she said okay. I shared them with a write-up. Only for me to hear from someone else that the person in the pictures was complaining about my sharing her photos. I got confused.

Another experience I had was with someone I went out for a day out with. I did not share the pictures this time. It was weeks later when this person asked why didn’t I share the pictures. My first instinct was to ask this person why didn’t she share hers, she took pictures too. But I let my love for pictures rule my head.

I shared the pictures on my socials and tagged her. First no reaction from this person, just a like no comment, no share. Later she now complained to me that the religious association she belongs to chastised her for the way she was dressed in those pictures I shared. I got really angry.

Why ask me to share if you are not happy with the pictures? Why do we let others control our reactions? If you are happy with what you wear, why does it matter who approved or disapproved? I am tired of trying to navigate what people are saying and what they actually mean. I don’t think some people realize how tiring this can be for some of us.

Now, I have learned my lessons. I don’t share other people’s pictures on my social networks unless they share on theirs first. Even when they share the pictures, I will still ask if they are okay with me sharing. I do all these if I find the pictures really good and I am in it.

I have even gone a step further if the other person is not taking pictures, I won’t take pictures with them. I will take of myself. No need to put anyone on the spot. We all have phones and we can take pictures if we want to or not. And share if we want to or not.

I am a bold woman, I fought hard to be where I am today. I don’t let people’s opinions control my actions. I also know that this is a journey that different people are taking at different stages. I can not dictate how someone chooses to live their life but I want people to be upfront with me. Tell me exactly what you want and we can both be clear on what we are doing.

The sad thing about waiting for someone to share pictures before you do is that the other person may be waiting for you to share first. Then both ended up not sharing in other not to step on toes and make each other feel uncomfortable.

This is what happened when my cousin visited recently. I didn’t share our pictures as I didn’t see her do so. Unknown to me she was having the same dilemma. I only got to know when I asked her.

This is what the world is now. People tiptoeing around each other. People saying Yes, when they really want to say No. people living in fear of what others are going to say about them. People not living their lives exactly the way they want but by the dictates of others. People speak with both sides of their mouths.

I don’t want to be part of any of that.

I only share pictures of myself and my immediate family. I won’t take your pictures if you are not taking pictures yourself or I will only take pictures if asked to be taken. I won’t ask if I can share your pictures. If you want your pictures shared, do it yourself. I will be more than happy to send them to you privately.

I will share my photos to my heart’s content because I love doing so.

Thanks a lot for listening and reading. Please, your contributions to this post will be appreciated in the comment section below. Help by clicking like and sharing with your friends. Also, don’t forget to join other subscribers to receive notifications of new posts by email. I appreciate it.

Stay with me,

Ruka

About Post Author

Ruka

My name is Ruka. Born and bred in Nigeria. Now living in Ireland. I am a Woman, Feminist, Wife, Mother, Muslim, Black, and African. I am an Entrepreneur who also works in Finance Administration. I am a Fibromyalgia & Chronic Pain Warrior. I love writing and hope to make a name for myself doing it.

rukaganiyu5@gmail.com

https://www.rukasplace.com

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