The title is a trick question as it’s a matter of your perception and objectivity. But can we be objective about ourselves and see who we really are? In my experience, few people can. Of course, everyone thinks they are real, not fake, but actions speak louder than your own thoughts about yourself!
I say this because our personal environment easily influences us — our family, friends, coworkers, randoms, and of course, good old social media (the latter probably and sadly affects most folks today). And that’s a problem and a shame because the only thing that should “influence” you is you, and your thoughts. Others infuencing you, may change who you are, I think?
Let’s Dive Deeper — Instagram.
I’ll start with my favorite topic, Instagram. So, what is Instagram exactly? A social media platform where you can instantly post videos and pics of yourself, your life, travel, work, etc. Is it real? No, of course not. 95% of users present a totally fake image of themselves to get likes, followers and gain as much “online fame” as quickly as possible. Anything real about that? I don’t think so.
How they roll:
First thing in the morning, check your Instagram to see likes and new followers, then post throughout the day, and check, check, and check again, all day long. Next, you edit hashtags; maybe edit the caption to get more responses and check again before sleep. Oh, come on, Instagram, please gimme more likes and friends, you say to yourself.
Right, then let’s get to the next step, meeting a particular person in real life after you have indulged in and fallen for their fake content and representation of themselves.
Let me explain some context; I’ve met many people on Instagram and Facebook who I’ve subsequently met in person. First, most people look way different in real-time; second, they often turn out to be the opposite of how they portray themselves! That can apply to their hobbies, sports, work, personality, the whole 9 Yards! I can talk about this subject as I have an embarrassing sucker story I’ll share with you.
Me, Myself and I, Won The Idiot Crown.
Alright, with no further ado, I’ll admit I got sucker-punched by a woman I first met via Instagram, then in person, and yes, I did it! I married this said lady after only knowing her for two months! I Bamboozled Myself, Royally! Yes, you may laugh at me, it’s ok! And to be honest, I got what I deserved for my stupidity. At least now I can laugh about it too.
You know, I’m not the youngest gun anymore, but I look and feel younger than the 52 years I am, but man, was I stupid or what? I should know and act more wisely at my age, but, nope. That’s what love or lust does to you if you aren’t careful!
My mistake for trusting an Instagram profile and subsequently jumping the gun to marriage gave me 10 months of hell before I could eventually hit the eject button! Boy, that wasn’t a fun rollercoaster ride, and I don’t recommend buying a ticket to that one!
Facebook, The Close No 2.
Now let’s take a quick look at Facebook, the groups, and communities. To be honest, I’ve stopped reading posts and comments, as nearly all of them are toxic. Someone may make a silly comment or ask a benign question, then the group/community members tear them apart. It can be vicious. Are these guys real or fake? They are real, real haters and can’t help themselves or control themselves as they are angry little haters.
I guess many of these peeps just don’t have a life or any direction, both probably, and I’ve learned not to care, scroll, and ignore. Delete, block, and move on. You’re better off that way, trust me.
Road Rage.
Then we have the road-rage people. I’ve traveled all over the world and lived in many countries. Road rage is rampant everywhere. It’s pretty astonishing. I expect no less from countries like the USA and UK, but it even happens in peaceful Bali. These said road ragers lose the plot; their anger boils over — because of nothing. You just didn’t do what they wanted you to do. All they achieve is to make themselves mad and scare or upset you!
Road rage is aggressive or angry behavior exhibited by motorists. These behaviors include rude and verbal insults, physical threats or dangerous driving methods targeted toward another driver or non-drivers such as pedestrians or cyclists in an effort to intimidate or release frustration.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Road_rage
Fake or real? Real and fake. Why? Well, a “road rager” can do what they do the best hiding in their car, but you may meet them in another setting, and they could be charming people until you discover the underlying frustration within them, when niceness turns to anger and rage. They can be real and fake at the same time. Complicated, I know.
Am I Fake or am I Real?
That’s the prize question we all must ask ourselves. As I said above, actions speak louder than words and louder than what you may think of yourself. I take a lot of action. I write about health, nutrition, life lessons, and fitness and try to inspire and motivate folks daily. Be that with my writing, videos, via chats, emails, or direct conversations with people. I do my best to help as many as I can.
Nevertheless, haters are haters, and they will always exist. I believe I’m liked by most, but I know some hate me, and I don’t give a damn either. I used to get myself in a state when someone went against me and turned on me, saying false, nasty things to and about me. It drove me up the wall, and I would get angry. What did my response achieve? Me hurting myself and getting upset over nothing.
Tactical response advice — use the DELETE and BLOCK button as frequently as you must to protect yourself from all of the nonsense and not allow others to put you down or make you angry. It’s not worth it! I learned the hard way over a long time, but mostly I have it covered now.
Based on what I do and say, I can call myself real. I say what I do and do what I say. Some love it, others hate it, and who cares? You don’t have to — let the haters worry about it!
In Short: How to Avoid My Mistake and Fake People?
Be honest to yourself and not as stupid and impulsive as I was. That’s a good start.
Take time with new relationships, not only intimate ones. Getting involved with new so-called “would-be friends” can lead to a disaster, stress, and unnecessary sleepless nights.
Slow down, observe, ask questions, and the best advice of all is to keep your head down, keep yourself to yourself, and if you open up to someone, do it cautiously and slowly — please!
Thank you for taking your time to read my stuff! I appreciate it.
Rob
