 We live in a world of personal branding and selfies encouraged or exhorted to be authentic and live our best lives Doesn't it all seem a little bit narcissistic I'm always struck when I see like wellness ads on Instagram. Oh Find the goddess within you It's so normal now that we don't think wow a few hundred years ago Like this would have been a really really controversial statement in ninth grade my tumblr blog became my little music Museum of self-expression filled with photos of male fashion models memes and Lady Gaga lyrics All adding up to what I thought was the coolest version of myself I'm Ann Strain champs and today on to the best of our knowledge When did it become so important to develop a unique and authentic personal identity and is there a hidden cost? This hour the cult of the self