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Am I The Same Person On and Offline?

Am I The Same Person On and Offline?

Posted on: Friday 16 September 2016


I think it's inevitable that the self people portray online is slightly different from the real life self. Not purposefully, but on blogs, YouTube and Instagram there isn't really room for awkward silences, shyness or chat about the amazing night you had in front of the TV (unless your Twitter feed is as exciting as mine is - lol).

I'm sure you've all read Vix Meldrew's post about bloggers online compared to real life, which I know sparked an unintentional amount of controversy and this is in no way a reaction/discussion about that post, but it really got me thinking about myself and what people would think of me if they met me in real life. Not that I assume anyone wants to meet me in real life, but I do occasionally go to blogging events and I guess it just made me wonder about how I come across on my blog and whether that's different to how I am in person.

Unfortunately I think the answer is kind of. In terms of my personality I think I come across pretty accurately and I don't really know how people could fake their personality online (says the trained actress - obviously there's a reason I didn't go into acting). However I think the personality that comes across on my blog is the one that comes out once you get to know me. So in terms of meeting people for the first time, I know I would be different. I'm quite shy, not particularly confident in initiating conversation and a little awkward. These are all traits that obviously don't come across in my writing (I guess this blog would be pretty scarce on the writing if that were the case), but are traits that would definitely be there if you met me.

It made me kind of sad to realise this because I do think that when you're shy it can be quite difficult to not come across as rude in real life or just as a massive disappointment. I don't know what the point of this post is apart from to admit to myself and to the people who read this blog that maybe I am a little different in real life, but only until you get to know me. I wouldn't be as confident or as chatty as I am on here and on Twitter to begin with, but I am that person underneath and if I ever meet any of you lovely people I hope you'd give me a chance to show that. My blog has been a great way for me to become more confident, but so far only online.

Are you different in real life?

Amy x

Comments

  1. I think it's totally normal to be slightly different in person to online! I'm quite a shy person with new people so I always worry that people think I'm a totally different person to the bubbly humorous person I appear as on my blog and social media. Writing on a laptop is totally different to talking to a stranger, so it's fine if you're not exactly the same. I think the only issue is when people seem very friendly online but are rude in real life x
    www.britishmermaid.com

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    1. I'm glad you're the same and everyone seems to agree it's fine - phew haha! And hopefully I'm not rude! xx

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  2. I read the post by Vix Meldrew and it really got me thinking about this topic, too. I think it's sad that people who are coming across as super friendly turn out to be rude in real life but I don't think that's the norm. And I think it's completely normal to be different in real life - communication online is always easier, especially because we can double think everything before saying it. I also think that a lot of bloggers are quite shy and awkward in real life ( I'm definitely the awkward kind haha). Anyway, I think that we all act differently in different roles (e.g. at work, at home, with friends, with family) and the same applies to blogging - it is normal to take a slightly different role on the internet, just like we take different roles in different contexts xx

    113thingstosay.com

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    1. Yeah that is so true we all definitely take on different roles in different contexts so I should just think of it that way :) xx

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  3. Great post, I can see that your personality definitely comes through in your writing and it's natural that if your a shy person that you may not be so shy online. It's got me thinking now haha!

    Gemma
    www.jacquardflower.uk

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    1. Aw that's good thank you Gemma :) I guess that's true, more time to think about what to say! xx

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  4. I'm the same as you, I am the same but shy at first so might come across awkward until I feel comfortable!

    Corinne x
    www.skinnedcartree.com

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    1. I'm glad it's not just me haha, I'm hoping you're going to the Bloggers Blog Awards too then we can just be awkward together haha xx

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  5. The life that we're sharing on social media are definitely only parts of it, being a little different in real life is totally normal, no one is psoting bad things that happened on Insta. That's a good thing because it should be a postive place :)
    Nati xx
    www.simplyartdicted.com

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    1. That's so true, nobody would use it if we posted negative things on it! xx

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  6. I am glad that blogs can make people more confident and I didn't know you were -are shy, since I am a new reader. There's nothing wrong with that, of course! I have met some bloggers and they all say I am the same as my blog shows, and I kind of think it's right - normally I don't share many personal things on the blog. But I agree that blogs can be different from reality. On facebook 95% of people want to post about world trips, how they are bank directors and so on - obviously it's a competition, thinking that by showing riches - that are not real, sometimes - they will be better seen. I do know a blogger that has nearly no money at all, even for basic house bills, but makes lots of efforts to show people a fake image, as if she has lots of money. Fer call, of course, but people have so twisted values these days...! I loved your post! Hope you have a lovely weekend!
    DenisesPlanet.com

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    1. Thank you so much for your comment Denise, I agree that it's great our confidence can grow through blogs :) xx

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  7. I so agree with you! I'm quite shy as well and people might just assume that I'm being stand off ish. I think it's always good to approach someone first without assuming :)

    www.wildfirecharm.com

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    1. I always worry I come across as stand offish! Glad I'm not alone :) xx

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  8. Yes, this is me too. Around family and friends I am chatty but meeting new people it can be awkward and stilted. I guess you need to have the benefit of time to create shared memories and learn each others ways. I always know I am quiet at events but suppose I never think that other people are too!
    Amy at Amy & More

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    1. I think luckily whenever I've been to events there seem to have been people similar to me there and we can stick together in our awkward quietness haha! xx

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