Oh, that’s right. Despite not even being close to pulling off faking it anymore, I’m still writing content related to the NaBloPoMo for October. Deal with it 
October 17 prompt: Do you give a lot of thought to your image online?
It’s interesting that this is the prompt, because I’ve been giving that question a lot of thought recently. My approach to presenting myself online has undoubtedly changed over the last 9 (!!!) years. While I’ve never been one to publish my last name or any geographical locators (my dad made sure I knew that was stupid stupid stupid!), I’ve really mellowed what I’m willing to talk about online and how much I’m willing to share with perfect strangers.
When I first started blogging, it was definitely more of a “let it all hang out” approach, until I was approached by my mother (twice) and someone I thought was a friend (twice) about what I had written being personally offensive to them. While I can see their arguments, and I either changed or deleted the offending entries/accounts, I still feel like the pendulum swung too far to the other side, and now I write about next to nothing. It’s sad, because I remember feeling such a sense of community and camaraderie back then.
I don’t give much thought to literal images I post. I don’t really doctor my photos, or do much touching up in Photoshop beyond cropping and rotating. It amazed me when I read somewhere that the majority of people alter or touch up their profile pictures (and there are even articles on the best ways to do so). My teeth aren’t very white, and my chin is weak so sometimes it looks like I have eight of them, and I’m kinda short, and my skin isn’t awesome…but I’d rather have that all hanging out there rather than spending time and effort to make all that go away online only to continue to live with it offline.
This filter effect brought to you by Instagram! The only editing I do, ’cause I’m lazy like that.
I’m working on my online image. I don’t want to be a wallflower offline AND online anymore. There needs to be a balance, sure, between work/life or life/social properness. But I want to follow my instincts more. I’ve been doing that lately by taking a picture when I feel the urge to snap something (whereas before I’d just walk right on by) so I’m hoping I can continue that change going forward as well.
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