Being Vulnerable in the Online World

The Internet is a saving grace for introverts.

This allowed us to nurture our creativity and showcase it to the world virtually. So many people of the world will be able to see our work whenever, wherever, whoever they are. Vice versa, we will also be able to explore so much information, services products online and everything seems to be within our reach. I found it so magical, so powerful and the internet never ceases to amaze me.

At the same time, this virtual world discourages me in a lot of ways.

Beautifully fabricated stories, perfectly photoshopped posts, and performative optimistic moments are being delivered on each platform. Bombarded with “how to” related posts, templatized life updates seem to be uplifting and inspiring by sharing their success stories. Everyone seems to be happy. Living the best life ever. Why is no one feeling sad, anxious, or depressed? Why do they look like they do not have a problem at all — and if they do, they seem to be not struggling with this? Is this normal?

It is hard to be authentic nowadays online. I miss those times that we just post whatever we feel like we would like to post online because no one really cares. But now, everyone’s eyes are on you. I felt like being monitored, observed, and becoming part of the social experiment.

Never forget that you are also part of the big economy system. You are just one of the few chunks of user data that big companies are trying to capitalize on. Being present online, means you are the target as a potential consumer of a certain service and product that might interest you.

I mentioned earlier, how the internet is a haven for those people who did not have a voice before to express their own work. I also have to admit that I was able to generate, develop, and maintain old and new friendships through the online world — thanks to the technology we have today. Hence, I just need to find a good balance in how I position myself in this online world.

Don’t get me wrong. I appreciate being paid attention to. I love being in the spotlight. But it does feel good if I know I am being true to myself and people adore me that way.

The marketing world, which I am in, teaches you how it is beneficial for you to be able to self-promote yourself. Showcase yourself like a product or solution that people want to buy because you will be the one who is going to help solve their problems, enhance their way of living, and above all, provide a better experience.

I want to showcase myself as a person who can be close to people’s emotions and feelings. Be an encouragement to those people who have lost their confidence. Be a cheerleader to their work-in-progress self. Be a voice to individuals who lost theirs. Be a caretaker to those people who needed seeds of hope to be planted and who needed good quality of soil, nourishing water, and warm sunlight to grow. I want to position myself as their comrade, companion, and partner who can go through the tides and waves of their journey.

Helping others while being authentic to myself, living life according to my values and principles, and being okay with feeling weak and broken — and sharing this journey with you and hope you will feel less alone.

This is my ultimate goal for my existence in this online world.

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Originally published at https://erinne0217.wordpress.com on July 18, 2022.