Be yourself when no one truly knows who you are?
(This is in no way directed at any one person or a group of people, it's kind of a broad thing)
I wasn't really sure what forum to put this in... hopefully general is okay because it's kinda general.
I keep trying to be myself, but then I realize how hard that is online. I mean, I try to imagine a situation that I could occur online in a chat or on a forum, and then I try to imagine it in IRL.
So let's say on MSN or Yahoo or something, people are talking about a general topic.
Online, I'd try to be friendly, and add to the convo- I don't want to be a depressing bother and drag people down.
IRL, I wouldn't talk, I'd sit down and do nothing. If someone asked me why I was quiet, I'd just shrug.
Online, if someone asks me how I am, I have my generic "not great, and yourself" or "same old" reply.
IRL, if I'm not lying and saying I'm fine, I'm ranty and come off as angry when saying I'm not doing well.
Online, I try to be polite.
IRL, different story.
Online, I try to be upbeat when I can.
IRL, I'm either angry and mean, or I'm completely shut off and quiet.
I'm just not sure how I should react to people. I don't like how I act IRL, so I try to act differently online, but then I'm not myself.
And then people think I'm this person I try to be- I just feel like yelling "I'm hurting, I'm not happy, Help me".
Why is it so hard to be yourself