It’s been two and a half years, and I think I’m finally ready to share my experience.
A few weeks after moving into our stunning new home, everything felt brand new—freshly painted walls, the scent of drywall lingering in the air, and boxes crowded the living room while furniture awaited its rightful place. Without curtains or rugs, the place felt a bit sterile and sparse.
One day, just before I hopped in the shower, I spotted my daughter’s forgotten mermaid doll alongside a few bath toys perched on the tub ledge next to the elegant glass shower enclosure. These stray toys were the first signs of our kids’ presence in the house, and I thought, “Now it’s starting to feel like home.” I snapped a quick picture of the Barbie and shared it on my public Instagram account, adding a cute caption about how the house finally felt like home, then moved on without a second thought.
A couple of days later, I received a message from an acquaintance I barely knew from high school. I had been friends with his sister, but he was a couple of years younger. His message read, “Looks like you might have a nakey ghost in your new house! Just thought you should know.”
My heart raced. What a cryptic and somewhat eerie message! (Was there really a ghost in my house? Did he mean it literally?) I quickly opened Instagram to check the photo he mentioned. There was the colorful mermaid Barbie, just as I remembered, but I began scanning for any signs of a ghostly figure in the shower.
And then I saw it.
My own reflection—the nakey ghost.
There it was, plain as day, right on my public Instagram page for anyone to see—my naked reflection in the glass shower enclosure. Granted, it was a hazy reflection, not as clear as a typical mirror, but there was no denying it: my naked self was visible from just below my breasts down to a couple of inches above my crotch. And let’s just say, I hadn’t exactly been keeping up with grooming. Moving is exhausting, and self-care often takes a backseat.
I deleted the post, feeling utterly mortified. That post had over 100 likes. How many people had seen my naked reflection and chosen not to tell me? Surely this one acquaintance couldn’t be the only one to notice my embarrassing mistake!
At the time, I could only confide in my best friend, knowing her laughter would help ease my humiliation. Now, I’m more than okay with sharing this story. It took two years for me to find humor in what was once my biggest embarrassment.
Since that little mishap, I’ve become obsessive about checking for five things before posting any pictures:
- Are there any reflective surfaces that could expose me?
- Am I naked?
- Seriously, am I definitely not naked?
- What about the back? Is there a chance I’m accidentally naked from behind?
- Am I wearing clothes?
Even when I know I’m fully dressed—sweats, a hoodie, and shoes—I still check multiple times. It’s not the thought of having a naked photo of myself out there that troubles me; it’s the fact that it was entirely accidental. At least let me choose when and to whom I reveal my unkempt self!
If you were one of the people who followed my Instagram during that time and saw my naked torso without mentioning it, let me just say: you are NOT a true friend. It’s just like when someone has food stuck in their teeth; you should tell them!
People like me, who accidentally post naked photos on social media, are counting on you.
For more humorous and relatable parenting stories, check out this blog post about parenting blunders. Additionally, if you’re interested in family planning, this site offers useful tools, and this resource is excellent for anyone navigating pregnancy or home insemination.
Summary:
In a humorous reflection on an embarrassing moment, Jamie Lin shares her story of accidentally posting a naked photo on Instagram after moving into a new home. She recounts the panic that ensued after a friend’s message alerted her to the mishap and the lessons learned from that experience. Now, she meticulously checks her images before sharing them to avoid any more accidental exposures.