I've been thinking a lot about how much of ourselves we give to other people. I think we live in an unusually closed off world, where we are afraid of saying too much or acting on our feelings more than is socially acceptable. There's also a certain amount of fear involved. Whether it's opening up to a friend or to the entire internet, it is hard to tell how much is too much and what the right time is to let others know certain things. We build walls or bridges or whatever metaphoric structures you prefer and only let others in when we're sure that they are worth it. And while, yes, this is a practical method, I think we spend too much time thinking about the consequences of telling people things verses the consequences if we don't.
I don't know if that really makes sense. I suppose this was brought on to the fact that I got a comment on a video from a non-troll, genuinely asking what my hobbies were outside of re-reading the Harry Potter books. Now, I'll be honest, at first, I laughed at this. But after a couple hours, I remembered it again and I get a little worried that there is someone out there who thinks one of my hobbies is actually sitting around re-reading Harry Potter. Don't get me wrong, I love me some Potter, but it's not like I just sit in my room all day going through the books. And this lead me to thinking about how much of my life I share with the internet. I suppose that if you just watch my videos, a lot of them ARE about Harry Potter. You may not see that lately, I've spent most of my day drawing, watching television and talking to my friends on Skype. You don't know how important my friends are to me or how worried I am about money or how great the cookies I just made are. Which isn't the fault of anyone. These aren't really things that I need to share with people who, yes, care about me, but don't really know who I am when I'm not on a screen. And because of the fact that I hold things back, people tend to assume things about me that are not true, or at least not fully. Despite my trivial example involving a commenter thinking I spend my days curled up on my bed with a good book I've read hundreds of times, it's more than that. There's just as much of a risk when withholding information as there is with sharing it.
This thought pattern is not really going to change anything about my videos, in case you were wondering. I'm not about to get really personal with you because, you know, it's the internet and you can only tell strangers so many things before you have creepers knocking down your door (your metaphoric internet door and, like, your actual door.) But I am an incredibly hyper-aware person when it comes to divulging personal information and so these are the types of things I think about. And besides, I think I'm pretty damn honest with you guys as it is. Seriously, what more do you want from me? (For the record, my Social Security number is off-limits.)
I guess the moral of this story is to not be so sheltered with yourself. Whether it be your friends or someone who you may really care about, open up. Sure, it's a risk, but what's the use in being alive if you aren't going to celebrate exactly who you are with people you care about? You're probably pretty freaking awesome, so share a little more of yourself with the world and see what happens. If it's good, report back and if it's not, um, hey look a puppy! Secrets are great, but sometimes it's even more fun to share them with people. I'll talk to you guys tomorrow.
Days till London: 32.
Episodes of The Hour watched today: 4, all caught up & it is SO GOOD.
8 comments:
I've always wondered what it was like on the other side, and by other side I mean on your side of the screen, the creator instead of mine, the viewer. I've been watching your videos and reading your blog for a little over a year now, I comment sometimes, sometimes I just press the thumbs up button. I always wonder what that must be like, to have people you don't know so interested in your life, I myself am very guarded, so I couldn't imagine how uncomfortable it would be to have people always wanting so much more than I'm prepared to give them. I'll admit sometimes I am curious about people I don't know especially people I admire, and I sometimes see people asking such personal questions and being down right mean and I feel so bad for the people who have chosen to share their lives with the world. Because people assume that just because you've given them a glimpse it somehow gives them rights your life. Anyway sorry for the long comment, this was just something I was genuinely curious about!
Haha and today I started watching Sherlock loving it! Thanks:)
Puppy. Your face. These arenthings I like that are not secret.
What? I'm sleepy.
Really inspirational post!! I'm definitely going to try and do that more because looking back on it I do regret a few things I never told people. Even though one of them worked out for the best by not saying anything, but that's a long story. I'd much rather regret things I did though than things I didn't so thanks again for the inspiration.
P.S. I love months that start with A cause I really love reading your's and Kristina's blogs and posts everyday is a treat. Haha :)
"Secrets are great, but sometimes it's even more fun to share them with people."
I think I'm gonna use that as my quote of the day in my next blog post...
Yes yes and yes. You hit the nail on the head. We only give out certain tidbits of information to certain people, like telling the whole truth to everyone will cause our worlds to crumble. I have a similar problem where I only divuldge certain parts of myself with certain people... because I don't want everyone knowing my business, I like to keep certain parts private, but another side of me wants to share everything with everyone and the internal struggle continues every day... I wish people were more honest, and open about their feelings, who they are, what they like - and I wish people were less judgemental when you tell them you read certain books, or spend certain parts of your day blogging, or watching Youtube vids... but what can we do? :(
Ah damn no social security number for me! How about you send me a copy of your birth certificate? Just kidding! (I thought I should make that clear)I'd personally be very happy if you talked more about your other interests in your videos. You talk about them in your blog and you obviously have interesting opinions on things other than Harry Potter. It would be nice to be able to actually SEE you doing or talking about those things rather than just reading words on a page.
I seem to have a problem of sharing way to much information with people. I like being really, really honest and open. I just makes me happier to know that I don't have (many) secrets. I feel closer to people. The more they know about me the more they will be able to understand me, or so it seems. At the same time no one likes someone who makes everyone uncomfortable with over sharing. I have to work very hard not to cross the line between openness and STFU I didn't need to know that.
Great post. It's definitely something I've thought a lot about since I've started blogging. Where is the line between what things should be shared and what things shouldn't?
I was going to try to say something meaningful, but I've got nothing. I like this post a lot.
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