True Lies

I noticed recently that someone I consider a friend had unfollowed me on Twitter. That stung, but I figured they had their reasons and got over it.

But it got me thinking about friendships on the interwebs.

This is a person I have met in real life, and chatted to a lot online. So it wasn't like someone random who has had pretty much nothing to do with me.

I have a number of friends who I see very rarely but stay connected to online. Some of my closest friends actually. I also have a number of people who I chat with now and then, but am unlikely to ever meet. And that is all good too.

I wonder though, if those impressions made online translate into who I am in the flesh. If maybe I've been found lacking.

Sure I am a little rough around the edges at times, but maybe the reality of me (and my children) is a bit confronting.

Despite being a natural extrovert, I find new social situations increasingly challenging and cling like a limpet to those who I already know. I can see how that may come across as cliqueyness when actually it is just nerves.

But here's the thing.

If I didn't attend events now and again, I could be anyone. Anyone at all. I could be a 60 year old man with a vivid imagination. I could be a single career woman who has some knowledge of autism and likes to run. And how would anyone ever know? Why would they suspect at all, if my story was convincing enough?

I'm not creative enough to be either of those people. I write about parts of my life and completely exclude others. Maybe that in itself feels like a lie, but not all stories are mine to tell.

But who I am online is not necessarily truly indicative of who I am in real life. Maybe that is disappointing to some. Maybe it is a relief. I know I've met a few people now and thought gosh she was not like I thought she would be. Not in a bad way, just in a different way.

Do you think your online presence is exactly like your real life one? Do you share all of yourself, or keep some things hidden?