Being real has been a lifelong struggle for me, too. I hate conflict. I never want to make anyone feel bad. I mostly think I'm so weird it's better to keep my mouth shut and melt into the background. But as I get older I get more and more bored with that and annoyed with my own reticence and unwillingness to be seen. I'm bravest in my writing and online. My experience of the community is the same as yours. Wonderful writing. Inspiring people, some of who (like you, thank you!) are willing to engage. Here's to more confidence in the new year for both of us! Thanks for sticking your neck out and commenting. I've just begun actively soliciting comments, in spite of my conviction nobody wants to talk to me, and it's kind of terrifying!
I really connected with this, Jennifer. Thank you for sharing your truths. I constantly struggle with being myself around others, more so in person than online. I definitely can’t express my opinions and generally am very tolerant of others’. I think it’s because I’m non confrontational and maybe there’s a deeper reason for that; a need to feel liked? Or maybe it’s a skill? I’m not sure. I’m learning how to be more expressive with my writing on Substack. It’s such a supportive community, and I don’t feel threatened in any way, which is nice. Even still, I keep most of my opinions close hold. Maybe someday I’ll be more confident!
Being real has been a lifelong struggle for me, too. I hate conflict. I never want to make anyone feel bad. I mostly think I'm so weird it's better to keep my mouth shut and melt into the background. But as I get older I get more and more bored with that and annoyed with my own reticence and unwillingness to be seen. I'm bravest in my writing and online. My experience of the community is the same as yours. Wonderful writing. Inspiring people, some of who (like you, thank you!) are willing to engage. Here's to more confidence in the new year for both of us! Thanks for sticking your neck out and commenting. I've just begun actively soliciting comments, in spite of my conviction nobody wants to talk to me, and it's kind of terrifying!
I really connected with this, Jennifer. Thank you for sharing your truths. I constantly struggle with being myself around others, more so in person than online. I definitely can’t express my opinions and generally am very tolerant of others’. I think it’s because I’m non confrontational and maybe there’s a deeper reason for that; a need to feel liked? Or maybe it’s a skill? I’m not sure. I’m learning how to be more expressive with my writing on Substack. It’s such a supportive community, and I don’t feel threatened in any way, which is nice. Even still, I keep most of my opinions close hold. Maybe someday I’ll be more confident!
Thanks again. Keep up the great work!