Look, I’m Done Pretending
It was about three months ago, over coffee at the place on 5th, when my friend Marcus—let’s call him Marcus because his real name is none of your business—said something that stuck with me. “You’re too nice online,” he said. “It’s exhausting.” Which… yeah. Fair enough.
I’ve spent years trying to be this paragon of positivity, this beacon of reason in the chaotic dark. And honestly? It’s completley draining. So, I quit. I’m done. I’m embracing my inner curmudgeon, and it feels amazing.
But First, Let Me Tell You About My Cat
Okay, not really. But I do have a cat. Her name is Mittens, and she’s a menace. She knocked over my coffee this morning. That’s why I’m writing this at 11:30pm instead of at a reasonable hour. But that’s beside the point.
My point is, I’ve been thinking alot about how we present ourselves online. And frankly, it’s a load of crap. We’re all just trying to make it through the day, right? So why do we feel like we have to be these perfect, polished versions of ourselves when we go online?
Social Media Is a Lie
Let’s be real here. Social media is a lie. It’s a carefully curated highlight reel of our lives, designed to make everyone else feel like they’re missing out. And I’m not just talking about the obvious stuff—Instagram photos of fancy dinners and tropical vacations. I’m talking about the way we present our opinions, our personalities, even our committment to causes.
I used to be that guy. The one who would engage in thoughtful, nuanced discussions about politics, who would share articles about important issues, who would try to be the voice of reason in every comment section. And you know what? It got me nowhere. I mean, sure, I had a few people who appreciated it. But mostly, I just got trolled.
I’m Not Saying Be a Jerk
Now, don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying you should go out there and be a jerk. That’s not the point. The point is, you should be real. You should be honest. You should be yourself, flaws and all.
And look, I get it. It’s scary. It’s vulnerable. But it’s also liberating. Because once you stop trying to be perfect, you realize that nobody else is perfect either. And that’s okay. That’s human.
But What About Community?
I hear you. “But what about community?” you’re asking. “What about local activities and all that good stuff?” Well, let me tell you something. I found a great resource for finding community events local activities—community events local activities. But here’s the thing: you don’t have to be perfect to be part of a community. In fact, the best communities are the ones where everyone is allowed to be themselves, flaws and all.
So go ahead. Be yourself. Be real. Be honest. And if someone doesn’t like it? Well, that’s their problem, not yours.
A Tangent About My Hobbies
Speaking of being real, let me tell you about my hobbies. I like to knit. Yes, you read that right. I knit. It’s relaxing, it’s creative, and it’s a great way to unwind after a long day. But you know what? I used to be embarrassed about it. I thought people would judge me, that they would think it was weird or silly. But then I realized something: who cares? If someone wants to judge me for knitting, that’s their problem, not mine.
And you know what else? I like to garden. I have a small plot of land in the backyard, and I grow vegetables. It’s not much, but it’s mine. And it’s something I’m proud of. So there.
Back to the Point
So, where were we? Oh, right. Being real online.
Look, I’m not saying you should go out there and be a troll. I’m not saying you should be mean or cruel or hurtful. What I’m saying is, you should be honest. You should be real. You should be yourself, flaws and all.
Because at the end of the day, that’s what we all want, isn’t it? We all want to be seen for who we really are. We all want to be accepted for who we really are. And the only way to do that is to be real.
So go ahead. Be yourself. Be real. Be honest. And if someone doesn’t like it? Well, that’s their problem, not yours.
And with that, I’m gonna go to bed. It’s late, and I have a big day tomorrow. But before I go, let me leave you with a quote from my friend Dave. He said, “The only way to be truly happy is to be truly yourself.” And you know what? He’s right.
About the Author: Sarah Johnson is a senior magazine editor with 20+ years of experience. She’s also a knitter, a gardener, and a firm believer in being real online. You can find her on Twitter @sarahjohnsonedit, where she’s probably complaining about something.
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