The Real Me

     In this social media age, it's hard to tell what's real and what's all facade. No one is really what they seem. With all the digital exposure, people are still unknown. Few people are really who they portray themselves as. Is it okay to be yourself?

     I try to be authentic. Fake people tend to grate my nerves. I try not to be around these people simply because I don't trust them or their intentions. Being "real" doesn't mean perfection. Most people forget that the first step to being yourself is to be honest about who you are. The past couple of years, I have made a conscious effort to be to be honest with myself.  I've found that I am type A, aggressive, and sometimes cold. I am warm towards those I care about, but people who have tried to take advantage of me experience my "polar vortex" firsthand. In addition to these traits, I am also passionate, efficient and resilient. However, the first three tend to shape my personal relationships.

     My type A and aggressive nature are what is needed to get things done professionally. Efficiency is something I have to be whether working my day job or doing my PR work. I am cold when my personal relationships don't yield themselves to warmth anymore. When I feel disrespect or lack of effort, I go cold as I mentioned above. I've come to terms with this. I don't lie about it or pretend it isn't so. That would be inauthentic.

    For example, at a previous job, a co-worker quit. She was given a going away luncheon. I confess, I didn't like her and wasn't sad to see her go. That being said I didn't attend. I wasn't rude about it, I quietly requested a half day and went home. To me, it was disingenuous to paste on a smile and feast on free food. I'd rather starve than dine on behalf of an enemy. I'm just being truthful. Some would argue my actions were harsh. I get it. Sometimes, you are in situations where civility is called for. That's fine, but when you have an option, I don't think you have to put up with certain things.

     Part of the human experience is to engage in the full experience. That experience should be as real as you can possibly make it. Not just real to others, but real to yourself.