tightrope

We have to dare to be ourselves, however frightening or strange that self may prove to be.

May Sarton

I wonder sometimes if, in all my endeavors to be real and genuine, I am actually fake. One thing that is very important to me is to surround myself with people who are genuine. I can't tolerate being around fakeness, and I go quickly in the opposite direction if I encounter it. But, I've been pondering things. I strive to create a happy, cheerful, and optimistic presence online. 

On Facebook and Instagram, I post items that are upbeat and uplifting. I intentionally do not air dirty laundry, or post negative words, or anything that may cause my friends to argue and fight. If anyone crosses certain lines I have in my head, their comments are deleted and we all move on. I strive to create a happy environment online, especially on Facebook. I rarely speak about any troubles I'm walking through, or any struggles of any kind. I rarely (if ever) tell my friends that I'm having a bad time. 

But, I wonder, if in doing so, I'm really only showing a fake side of myself. Maybe I'm showing an unattainable goal. I'm creating a beautiful, picture-perfect life online, but when in reality, my life is far from perfect. 

Am I being the very thing that I hate? 

Where is the demarcation point? 

Can I display my true reality while being both optimistic and honest? Should I?

I don't know.

We all create an image (whether consciously or subconsciously), for others to see. We create the "us" that others see.

But...

It's not truth. It's fiction. 

Tightrope - Alexander Millar