Why do I lie all the time?

I’m a frequent internet browser, and I like websites like this where you get to talk to people all over the world. I get anxious talking to people face-to-face, so chatting over text is really comfortable and convenient for me. Unfortunately, this gives me a lot of freedom to lie about my age, looks, etc, because they can’t really see who I am.

In the past I’ve lied about my age, sometimes 5+ years and sometimes only 1 or 2. I’ve sent fake pictures of myself to guys I’ve talked to that I’ve been interested in (not in long distance relationships or anything, just as flirting or something else harmless like that).

Even in real life I’m constantly scared of people judging me by how I look, so this might be why I take advantage of the fact that I can be anyone I want on the internet. But I want to know how to stop this. I’ve become close friends with some of the people I’ve lied to, and I’ve had to face consequences because I could never be completely honest with them. It causes me a lot more unnecessary anxiety.

Help?

link

Anonymous

1,181

1 Answer

I think it's normal. I did the same thing when I was young. I was so bad, I would pretend that I was someone famous and try and convince people I was telling the truth. Mind you, I was like 11-12 when this happened. I made one very good friend and eventually told her that I wasn't who I had said I was and told her who I was and to this day we're still friends, I even met up with her a couple years back even though we're states away. I would say to tell them the truth as soon as you feel like you can handle doing so. Explain why you felt you needed to and tell them that, despite what you've lied about, your personality is still the same and your friendship with them is legitimate. It may take some work to get past it, but it's better than lying to them all of the time. With the ones that you only talk to once or twice and that's it, I don't think it matters much what you tell them. It's harmless flirting while keeping your identity safe, nothing wrong with that.

link

thissortoflove

213