In this blog, I would like to discuss online personas/how we present ourselves whilst on the interwebz. I've seen a lot of people present themselves on facebook much differently than they do offline. These are the "IRL" friends/ aquaintances. You may be wondering why I chose the image above as my header image. Well, that is art created by coloring book artist Hanna Karlzon, that I colored. To me she represents a free spirit who is genuine and at peace with herself - internally.
Back to the online personas, I am going to start with the "IRL" people whose names will be substituted with imaginary names to protect their identities.
Exhibit A. Fitness Queen
FQ in real life presents with very low self esteem, keeps the conversation focused on her, behaves in a secular manner, gives you backhanded compliments, or not so subtle criticism(s) that you didn't ask for (more of a reflection of her low self esteem, misery loves company type thing)
(Art by steff bomb colored by me)
FQ online/fb - boastful bikini pictures everywhere, checks in at the gym daily, posts pictures of "meal prep", reports "God" has helped her to be disciplined enough to have a nice body and eat right. Presents herself as a happy, giving, perfectlife type person.
What is the point of acting one way in real life and completely different online?? PATHETIC
Exhibit B. Hippie Wannabe Princess
HWP in real life - complains constantly, drinks excessively, smokes, eats the worst foods. Always has to "one up" your story when you're venting.
HWP online - talks about healthy living, how thankful she is for her family, the newest and best herbal trend out there, acts like a positive & lively person who wants to help others.
Makes no sense when you constantly one up your friends Liar....
Exhibit C) Humble Casanova
HC in real life - thinks he is God's best gift to women, flirts with all women. Humility comes in as he is always talking about being a single Dad and how much he loves and sacrifices for his little girl. Doesn't seem to have many hobbies, talks about wanting to help charities.
HC online - few pictures of himself and "his little girl", flies to different cities every weekend, stays in fancy hotels, arranges to be at red carpet events, dressed to the nines, constantly on the move. Seems like a wealthy, cool guy.
So, why are you also such a liar...?
Those were just the "IRL" people. I have a couple genuine online friends. But I know a lot who act one way when they are talking one on one and COMPLETELY different when they are "presenting" themselves.
I am an introverted people watcher and also an empath. The weed above (which i think is actually quite charming) is very intricate if you really look at it. It seems to prefer to stretch itself out over the cement rather than the mulch. Kinda reflects people and all their idiosyncrasies - both good and bad.
I have been told by both "IRL" people and online people that my vernacular online versus in person/skype/personal messages is the same. That's nice to hear. I don't have anything to hide. I'm not perfect. I got self esteem issues. I don't need to put you down or one up you to feel better about myself.
My point is,being genuine gets you the farthest in life, on all fronts. Most people will eventually catch onto your false pretenses. On STEEMIT, I am catching onto to some of that. There's also a lot of audacity here sometimes. We are all equals and bleed the same red blood. (Unless you're an alien from outerspace)
So, in conclusion, keep it real, be yourself, build people up rather than tear them down for your pleasure. Online snark is no fun and it is a GREAT way to lose friends
Thanks for reading folks. Hopefully my rambles made some sense. Have a great day /night and, as always, full STEEM ahead!
all photos my own
People tend to forget especially when they are online that awkwardness and imperfections are what makes them real, Many people including me sometimes wants to have the perfect picture that reflects us, our feeling or posts and that is not real, cause nobody is perfect in real life but we want to be perfect when we are online.
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I can appreciate the honesty. I try to write with grammatical correctness but i want my readers/followers to feel like I'm talking TO them not AT them. That's why i try to be real as possible
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I seem to be the exact opposite! I spend most of my time IRL catering to everyone else's wishes and needs, I always have. I feel like online, and especially here on Steemit, I get the chance to stretch my wings a bit more. I spent my childhood choosing my words carefully in a need to please the adults in my life (children were seen and not heard unless you had a damn good reason). So for me, the most real version of me you will ever see is online. It's in my art, my writing, and even the most banal FB posts I make.
I am in no way perfect, but I try to be honest. Sometimes that openness makes me a target for trolls because I know that my opinions are not always "mainstream". But I would rather be vulnerable and be ME than add anymore stress to an already full life by trying to act like I am perfect.
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I am definitely more open online. As "irl" you never know how someone you see on a regular basis will react to an "unusual" viewpoint....the anonymity you get online does make if easier to be more open
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Gotta keep it really real for real.
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You don't say lol
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And then there's plain ole miserable ________!
But Popeye's for real!
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Haha true
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Loved this post, Chelsea! :) There's so much here to discuss... and you've given me a lot to think about! Cheers
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Thanks for reading and the lovely comment. Mind sharing anything in specific I made you ponder?
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There's so many people who just lie? For no reason at all? I don't understand why it is, but they do it. They have something wrong with them. There's no point!! No one cares THAT much.
I would say I am rather genuine. I'll share what needs or what I want to share. I try not to "overshare". I dunno. I think I am me online and off! The same. I've got no need to hide or embellish anything.
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The oversharing thing can be a blessing and a curse. Some will appreciate your raw vulnerability. Some might interpret it as you're just complaining. Depends on how you write it i guess and the state of mind you're in when you do
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I personally am not a fan when people overshare to me, so I try hard not to do it to other people. Haha. It makes me feel uncomfortable. But you know, it's something that often happens to me! Does it happen to you? I think I put out the "safe space" vibe. Lol.
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I give out the same vibe apparently. People who hardly know me will word vomit highly personal stuff. Which, if I'm close to or good friends with someone i don't mind listening otherwise, outside circumstances that would make these talks appropriate let's just not. I'm not a counselor
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