Feeling Myself.

Have you ever bumped into someone you follow on a social networking site and it all of a sudden becomes super awkward? We all follow people we may have not had a real encounter with, there’s nothing unusual about that but meeting them in the flesh can be a little weird. For the most part I don’t mind saying “Hi” and moving right along but a part of me always thinks, “Take time, what if they don’t even recognise you?” What am I supposed to say when the other person gives me a confused response, “Oh I’m @thisisabena, we follow each other on twitter?” CRINGE!

We give up so much of ourselves online it’s no surprise we subconsciously think we know these strangers when we actually don’t. Yes I say strangers because essentially most of these people we see on our news feed everyday are really just that. We know nothing substantial about them. I always giggle to myself when people post quotes like “you know my face, not my story”. How can we be shocked when these “followers” assume to know our whole life story when we live so much of it online. If you are not sharing pictures of yourself lying in bed with your partner, you’re telling the world your hourly where about via twitter. I can firmly put my hand up and say I’m guilty of the latter. More and more of us have become so indulged with this “look at me” attitude we take part in daily. Maybe it’s all harmless fun that I’m giving way too much thought or is it a bit too much? If I were to post a booty picture similar to Kim Kardashians, is that too much? Is me rushing to share a new job promotion before I’ve even signed the contract too much? Some may even say me blogging about my life on here is “too much”. These are some of the things that cross my mind when I think about our online presence.

If you ask me we are all narcissistic to an extent. Don’t ever be fooled in thinking it’s the girls who post half naked pictures that are the only ones feeling themselves. We are all looking for some level of validation when we upload a post. We want people to like our picture, comment on our blogs or congratulate our achievements. For those of you, who are quick to disagree, please explain your reasons? I want to know.

The great thing about the internet is that it allows you to control exactly how you want the world to see you. From the click of a button you can be whatever you want to be- you can be that superstar you always wanted to be. I find myself questioning a majority of the things I see on these social networks. Are some of us misrepresenting ourselves to appear more accomplished or more confident than we actually are?  Are some of us broadcasting our love lives to feel secure in a relationship we feel insecure in? I don’t know all the answers. What I do know is that we can’t blame people for turning to online sources as a way of projecting who they want to be.We are bombarded with images everyday that have us questioning how much we have or how we should look. I look nothing like those exotic women that are posted on the “Baddies” or “IGBeauties” pages on Instagram. Does that mean I’m ugly? Some smart ass will probably yes to my previous question, but no.

A lot of us get sucked into thinking that perception is reality. Perception is just perception. How you are perceived does not define you or the next person. Trust me I don’t think there is anything wrong in sharing yourself on the internet-I love a selfie just as much as the next person. It all comes down to a matter of opinion; the majority will read this and disagree with everything I’ve said which is fine. I will say many of us are allowing these personas we create cloud our judgement. People only show you what they want you to see. Do not be fooled. 

AK 

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