Real Self vs. Online Self

My online self is very different than my real self but, perhaps, differently than you would expect. My real self is impulsive, fun-loving, creative, flexible, NEVER a wallflower, usually outspoken, sometimes impatient, many times intolerant, almost always forgiving.

My online self is much more reserved. I spend a lot of time thinking about what I'm going to write, rewriting, rethinking, rewriting. I have difficulty not in expression, but in the public posting of my thoughts. I'm careful in what I write--very careful--and that often means pulling back from discussions. I think much of that reservation goes back to growing up in a small town where anything you did became who you are so I was always careful to not have a "permanent" (written) record of me anywhere. Funny how much you can be shaped by your past for so long after.

I am a constant questioner with a burning need to know as much as I can and my online self fulfills that need--and then some. Like Fran, much of my online life involves my real life job and I spend time learning how I can better help my teachers and our students. My real self is all about family--my husband and children come before everything else. My online self uses technology to keep track of the family that lives elsewhere--my brothers, nieces and nephews as well as distant family that I would otherwise have little contact with.